Home » About FVSU » Marketing & Communications » News » FVSU Agricultural Biotechnology Center Planning Committee plans big groundbreaking activity

FVSU Agricultural Biotechnology Center Planning Committee plans big groundbreaking activity

May 1, 2008

The Fort Valley State University College of Agriculture, Home Economics and Allied Programs, under the leadership of Interim Dean Mark Latimore Jr., will begin construction of its $3.1 million Biotechnology Center in July.

To plan for a groundbreaking scheduled for May 29, Raymond Gilmore, chairman of the groundbreaking event committee and head of the college’s management and fiscal operations unit, has formed a groundbreaking event committee comprised of FVSU employees.

The public event will kickoff the construction of the 8,000 square-foot center, which will be connected to the existing Stallworth Agricultural Research Station on Carver Drive. It is scheduled to open June 2009.

The facility, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will have four laboratories and a lecture hall that can accommodate more than 100 people. It will be utilized for research that focuses on plant biotechnology, animal biotechnology and applied biotechnology which includes alternative energy.

Training FVSU students in research techniques and methods will be an important aspect of the center, Gilmore said.

“This Biotechnology Center is in direct support of our president, Dr. Larry E. Rivers, and Dr. Daniel K. Wims’, executive vice president for academic affairs, vision to enhance facilities and curricula at the university,” Gilmore said. “Also, the center supports Dean Latimore’s unyielding desire to build strongly upon the existing foundation that includes quality facilities, programs, and faculty and staff.”

R.L. Brown and Associates is handling the architectural design and construction of the Biotechnology Center as approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.

The committee members are:

  • Lisa Akins
  • Patricia Barrett
  • Cheryl Canty-Aaron
  • Misty Cline
  • Sandra Daniel
  • Jared Fluellen
  • Raymond Gilmore, chairman
  • Marquinta Gonzalez
  • Brigitte Hall
  • Thomas Harris
  • Latonia Hooks
  • Woodie Hughes Jr., co-chairman
  • Govind Kannan
  • Rodell Lawrence
  • Ayanna McPhail
  • Anand Yadav
  • Terrence Wolfork
Agricultural Biotechnology Center Planning Committee members listen to Raymond Gilmore (center), chairman of the committee, at their first meeting April 10.Agricultural Biotechnology Center Planning Committee members listen to Raymond Gilmore (center), chairman of the committee, at their first meeting April 10.