APSU breaks ground on new DeWald Livestock Pavilion
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 John Bartee Jr., chair of the Austin Peay State University agriculture advisory committee, said it best on Nov. 30 when he announced, 鈥淭oday is the first step in greatness for the Austin Peay Ag Department.鈥
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. 鈥 John Bartee Jr., chair of the Austin Peay State University agriculture advisory committee, said it best on Nov. 30 when he announced, 鈥淭oday is the first step in greatness for the Austin Peay Ag Department.鈥
He was addressing a crowd of local farmers, agri-businessmen and dignitaries who gathered at the APSU Agricultural and Environmental Education Center to witness a groundbreaking ceremony for APSU鈥檚 new DeWald Livestock Pavilion.
The modern facility will replace an old hay barn on the property, providing a practical working and learning space for faculty, staff and students. The project is also only the first phase in a proposed three-phase Animal Science Facility, which will eventually include a new animal husbandry laboratory classroom and a livestock handling area.
鈥淲hen completed, this facility will provide a much needed learning center
for students in our rapidly growing agriculture program and also for area agriculturalists
and military personnel鈥, said Dr. Don Sudbrink, Chair of the APSU Agriculture department.
The new pavilion, set to open next year, is being named in honor of Dr.
Ernie and Joan DeWald, who generously supported the project with a major financial
gift. The couple previously endowed the Josephine and William DeWald Memorial Scholarship
for nursing at APSU, in memory of Ernie鈥檚 parents.
The DeWalds, who have also supported local animal charities, were treated to a little surprise during the ceremony. The agriculture department introduced the couple to the farm鈥檚 youngest, Belted-Galloway calf, which was recently named DeWald, or D.W.
鈥淪he will live out her natural days here on the farm,鈥 Dr. Rodney Mills, assistant professor of agriculture, said.
The little calf will witness the farm鈥檚 continued growth in the years to come. Since 2008, the APSU Department of Agriculture鈥檚 enrollment has increased by 74 percent, prompting APSU President Tim Hall to label it one of the University鈥檚 鈥渉ot spots.鈥 The development of an agriculture advisory committee, made up of local leaders, and the generosity of the DeWalds will allow that department to continue thriving.
For more information on the DeWald Livestock Pavilion or other projects at the APSU Farm, contact the APSU Department of Agriculture at 221-7272.
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Photo cutline: Dr. Rodney Mills, APSU assistant professor of agriculture, introduces Dr. Ernie and Joan DeWald to 鈥淒eWald,鈥 a Belted-Galloway calf named in their honor. (Photo by Beth Liggett/APSU staff).