By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Fort Hays State University celebrated the completion of renovations to its Riegel Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Hays Chamber hosted the event Friday at the FHSU University Farm. Grady Dixon, dean of Werth College of STEM, said he was pleased with the turnout, noting that many people are unaware the university operates its own farm.
"There are a lot of people who spend their entire lives in Hays who don't realize that Fort Hays State has its own operational farm as a classroom and laboratory," Dixon said.
The Riegel Building plays a key role in FHSU’s agriculture program, serving a variety of class activities. The recent renovations have expanded its instructional capabilities.
Nearly half of the building was renovated to add a classroom with views of the indoor arena, a mudroom for convenient indoor cleanup, a new manager’s office and a new bathroom.
Jill Arensdorf, FHSU provost and vice president for academic affairs, said the updated facility strengthens agricultural education by providing students with hands-on experience in a real-world environment.
"This new space provides an invaluable opportunity to take notes, study concepts and engage in discussions before applying their knowledge in the field or working with animals.”
The university farm spans about 3,400 acres. Classes such as animal health, meat science, livestock evaluation, anatomy and physiology, and dairy production lab have already been held in the Riegel building.
FHSU sophomore and Agriculture Ambassador Chloe Ecord said the classroom offers endless learning opportunities and will help prepare the next generation of agricultural professionals.
"Thank you for investing in the future leaders of the agriculture industry. We won't let you down," Ecord said.
Sophie Ano, chair of the Department of Agriculture, acknowledged and thanked several individuals at the event, noting that efforts to advocate for the facility’s renovation began about three years ago.
Ano said the facility will also be used for community and youth outreach during the summer.
