Donor Spotlight

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station are planning three separate buildings to house the expanding programs in poultry, animal and dairy sciences, and food science, nutrition and health promotion.

All three buildings will be constructed on the corner of Stone Boulevard and Blackjack Road, in the lot located in front of the Wise Center.

The Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory, in architectural renderings above, is currently in the design phase, with this process being 50 percent complete.

Currently housed in Ballew Hall, the Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory has become a central part of campus. Its location makes transporting animals for harvest difficult. When first built, Ballew Hall was located on the edge of campus but as campus has expanded, the need for new facilities has become paramount. Moving to a new facility will enhance teaching and research capabilities.

The new Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory will contain over 18,000-square feet and include a harvest area, demonstration area, and freezer space as well as classrooms and research laboratories. Construction is set to begin in summer 2015 with completion set for the end of 2016. The Meat Science and Muscle Biology Laboratory will be used by faculty and students in animal and dairy sciences and food science, nutrition and health promotion.

The poultry science and animal and dairy science buildings will complete an L-shaped complex with each of the departments housed in a separate building. This project is in the pre-planning phase with project professional selection just beginning. Funding for this construction project has not been obtained.