**For Immediate Release**
Building Plans on Track
-released by OPSU Campus Communications 08-01-06
By Laura Dahl
Goodwell, Okla. — The building schedule for the
new Science and Agriculture facility on the campus of Oklahoma
Panhandle State University is right on time according to
President Dave Bryant. “We plan to announce the general
contractor in early August and arrange a date to celebrate
groundbreaking this fall,” he said.
The first new academic building on campus in 37 years,
it will incorporate classrooms, laboratories, and faculty
offices. Two specialized labs will combine student learning
and community service. A water quality testing facility
will benefit local municipalities, school districts, the
agricultural sector and other entities that require water
testing on a regular basis. Currently, local city officials
responsible for municipal water testing must ship the samples
to the Department of Environmental Quality in Oklahoma
City. The sample must be less than 30 hours old from the
time it is drawn to the time it is set up for testing in
a lab hundreds of miles away. A lab on the OPSU campus
will help local Oklahoma cities and towns save money on
freight and time.
The animal nutrition lab will provide a service to the
agricultural sector. Feed analysis allows producers to
determine percentages of protein, fat, and other ingredients
in their rations and adjust additives accordingly. Because
Texas County produces more beef and pork than any other
county in Oklahoma, this lab will provide a convenient,
essential service to area producers.
Both of these labs will also enhance education. Students
will acquire meaningful, first hand knowledge of testing
procedures and outcomes, the traits of samples submitted,
and will also experience working in a scientific atmosphere
with clientele from the community.
OPSU has secured a $500,000 Challenge Grant from the Noble
Foundation, and the organization will match the funds OPSU
obtains up to that amount. Monies raised will help defray
the costs of the specialized equipment needed for all of
the laboratories and also gives contributors the opportunity
to name certain areas and classrooms in the new building.
Bryant said, “The generosity of the Noble Foundation
will allow us to enhance education as well as offer community
services currently not available locally. I’m pleased
they have chosen to work with OPSU for these important
initiatives.” If you would like more information,
please call President Bryant at 580-349-1302 or email him
at dbryant@opsu.edu.
Watch for more information about the groundbreaking for
the new building and help us celebrate the future of OPSU!
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