DOVER, Del. – Delaware State University held a Sept. 29 Groundbreaking Ceremony to denote the beginning of work to construct a new 15,000, square-foot $10 million Agriculture Building.
During the ceremony, it was also announced that Agilent Technologies Inc. – a global leader in the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets – is launching a partnership with the University to increase the share of underrepresented students entering STEM fields.
Agilent solidified its partnership during the event by presenting the University with a $1 million donation that will support new lab instrumentation. That enhancement will help the University expand its educational opportunities and advance research in Applied Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Molecular and Cellular Sciences, and related disciplines
“One of the things that is important for Agilent is investing in the science for the future; not just in the technology for the future, but also in the talent and capabilities,” said Greg McKinney, Vice President and General Manager of the Supplies Division of Agilent. “We couldn’t think of a better partner than Delaware State University.”
The new edifice – which will be the first academic building constructed on campus since the completion of the Optical Science Center for Applied Research Building in 2015 – will provide the University College of Agriculture, Science and Technology with needed addition classrooms and offices to accommodate that ongoing growth.
“Agilent is creating an opportunity for Delaware State University to be the Mid-Atlantic hub for bio-life research,” said University President Tony Allen “That means, Lincoln University, Cheney State, UMES and Morgan State University will be our partners.”
The Agriculture Building will also feature a 124-seat auditorium that opens up into a demonstration kitchen, as well as a “new Century maker-space classroom where students can develop the own unique agriculture and science-related innovation.
Photo cover – (L-r) Dr. Devona Williams, Chair of the DSU Board of Trustees; Greg McKinney, Vice President and Gen. Mgr. of Supplies for Agilent Technologies Inc., University President Tony Allen and Dr. Cherese Winstead Casson, Dean of the University’s College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology, pose with a display check symbolizing the $1 million donation presented to DSU by Agilent. The presentation took place during the Sept. 29 groundbreaking ceremony.
University officials, DSU Board of Trustees member and state legislators take part in the actual groundbreaking part.
DSC_2730 – Many of the groundbreaking attendees pose in front of a rendering of the planned Agriculture Building.
