FROM THE DEAN
Sharron S.
Quisenberry, Dean
The college has been very fortunate over the past two years in bringing to fruition several building projects that are enhancing or will enhance our instruction and research programs. These building projects represent significant efforts of stakeholders, donors, and the state legislature working with Virginia Tech and the college.
The Alphin-Stuart Livestock Teaching Arena provides students with valuable hands-on experiences with animals. The classrooms associated with the arena are used extensively for teaching. The arena also serves numerous groups with facilities for meetings and functions. The Dairy Science Complex facilities are used for research and student teaching. This state-of-the-art complex has been instrumental in attracting new faculty members and the largest number of entering freshman in more than ten years.
The Peggy Lee Hahn Pavilion at the Horticulture Garden will open in 2006 and serve students and the community as an educational and special event center. The surrounding garden compliments teaching and research in landscape design and horticulture.
In January, the new Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Building will become the focal point for research in areas such as plant and soil sciences, plant pathology and physiology, entomology, horticulture, plant breeding, forestry, and wildlife. Faculty and students will have a unique opportunity to discover new technologies to benefit agriculture and natural resources industries.
The rest of our facilities are 35 to 100 years old and cannot be renovated to meet modern research needs. Over three quarters of the existing laboratory facilities lack the space, ventilation systems, and electrical and telecommunication resources to enable repeatable and accurate research results.
During the upcoming session of the General Assembly, a 93,000- gross-square-foot facility (Human and Agricultural Biosciences Building I) will be proposed for consideration. The building is planned as a combination of faculty and research offices, laboratories, and undergraduate and graduate student research space. This facility will house state-of-the-art laboratory facilities to meet the modern demands of new technologies being used today in animal science, bioprocessing, functional foods, nutrition, chronic diseases, and food safety and toxicology. The availability of such facilities will enhance research capabilities, support local industry and Extension programs, and contribute to the economic viability of agriculture and quality of life for Virginians.
On behalf of everyone in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, I would like to wish you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday season!