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Celebrating 50 years ...SMSU ag department marks anniversary with new facility

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by Abigail Beggerly

SBJ Staff

A celebration took place Sept. 12 for the students and faculty of Southwest Missouri State University's department of agriculture. The department celebrated its golden anniversary at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the department's new and improved Karls Hall.

The 40-year-old building which houses the university's department of agriculture had undergone minimal changes since it was constructed in 1958, said Dr. Anson Elliott, agriculture department head. However, after two years of planning and construction, Karls Hall was given a complete face lift.

Students and faculty of the agriculture department have been using the new accommodations since the first of August, Elliott said. He added that the building was designed by the architects with Cannon, in St. Louis, and the construction was completed by DeWitt and Associates of Springfield.

The renovated building now houses two stair-step lecture halls, two computer labs and various agriculture laboratories, Elliott said.

Among the rooms is a computer-equipped classroom and a computer lab that will be open to students whenever the building is accessible.

A new laboratory designed with two walk-in coolers, a freezer and meat-processing equipment will be used in food safety courses, but it is still under construction, Elliott said.

Another new addition to the department is a distance learning lab that will be used for satellite-type classes. The distance learning lab, Elliott said, is currently set up to network classes from the Springfield campus to locations throughout southwest Missouri.

"Our goal is to send and receive in that room classes from other universities," Elliott said.

There is also a four-compartment greenhouse on the third floor of the new addition, a multipurpose room for various department functions and all new offices for faculty and graduate assistants.

In 1996, the Missouri General Assembly appropriated $4.9 million for the building's construction. However, building costs totaled more than the appropriated amount, so funds donated by outside donors were also used to finance the project, Elliott said.

Changes are not only present in the building's appearance, Elliott said, but are visible in the students and faculty, as well. "There is a student satisfaction that is quite noticeable," Elliott said.

He added that the faculty now have access to modern teaching technology in the new classrooms.

With the new building now open for classes, the agriculture department hopes to be of more service to the agriculture industry and more involved in the community. Karls Hall has already been used to hold meetings for agriculture groups in the area, Elliott said.

"Enrollment has remained steady for the department for several years, Elliott said. "The opportunities for our students in the agriculture industry have been good, and not just in southwest Missouri."

He added that although SMSU agriculture students have been fortunate in finding employment in Springfield, the faculty have been preparing students to go elsewhere, too.

"We have to look at ourselves as a part of a bigger system for the agriculture industry, not just in southwest Missouri," Elliott said.

With the expansion and renovation of its building, the agriculture department will now be better equipped to keep up with changes in technology and the agriculture industry.

Elliott said he encourages the students not to limit themselves geographically. "The jobs are commonly found in the larger towns, not in the college town," Elliott said. "We are blessed to be in an area where there are a lot of business opportunities."

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