Hesby Atrium Dedicated at Texas A&M's Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Dec, 8, 2011) — Several hundred faculty, former students and friends of the department of animal science took part in a dedication ceremony for the new Howard Hesby Student Atrium held recently at the Kleberg Animal and Food Sciences Center at Texas A&M University.
Hesby was a professor in animal science at Texas A&M for 35 years and influenced more than 15,000 students as a teacher, advisor and mentor, said Dr. Russell Cross, professor and interim department head.
"One hundred percent of the construction has been paid by donations to the
Hesby project," Cross told attendees. "We've received $600,000 in cash and
pledges, and we've got $400,000 more to go. It's simply a beautiful
space."
Prior to his death in 2005, Hesby and others were working to provide animal science students a place to study in the Kleberg building after a renovation in 2004 removed the existing lounge. The new space provides lounge chairs and sofas, tables and chairs, and a bar with stools for seating up to 100. New lighting and electrical plugs were installed throughout, as well as five high-definition monitors for departmental news and announcements. The lobby wall was treated with a wood veneer and now displays plaques recognizing the top donors.
The project will continue with another phase of construction to the north side of the Kleberg building, which will feature a large trophy case, a bronze statue of Hesby and other improvements.
The dedication event featured special remarks from Jim Schwertner, Texas A&M University System Regent; former students Chris Boleman, who also served as
moderator, Steven Lastovic and Chad Fisher; and former colleague
Dudley Smith.
Kay Hesby gave reflections on her husband¹s career at Texas A&M and expressed deep thanks to the generosity of individuals at the university and Texans abroad. She recalled one of her husband¹s field trips with students to a working farm operation in West Texas.
"Someone donated a two-night stay at a West Texas YMCA," she told attendees. "Only something like that could happen at Texas A&M and in Texas."
For further information regarding the Hesby Student Atrium project or to provide a financial contribution, call 979-845-1543, or contact Monica Delisa, senior director of development for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, at 979-847-9314.
Click here for more information about the atrium project.
Editor’s Note: This article was provided as a news release from Texas AgriLife Extension.