Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources today (Apr. 29) broke ground on an $13.6 million expansion and renovation of what will be known as the 'Bayer Plant Science Building.' The project adds 21,122 square feet of new construction, and includes 2,440 square feet of renovation and exterior upgrades to the existing home of the university's Department of  Plant and Soil Science.

"Our relationship with Bayer CropScience continues to grow, further strengthening the contributions and impact both have on agriculture in West Texas and beyond," said Michael Galyean, dean of Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Among the upgrades on tap are new open labs with expanded support and graduate student spaces, as well as an instructional lab, departmental suite and space for research equipment. Renovations within the existing building will create new space for faculty, staff and graduate students and will provide a connection to the new building, said Richard Zartman, plant and soil science department chair and Tech's Leidigh Professor of Soil Physics.

When completed in June 2015, the new project will form a multi-functional outdoor courtyard that will serve as an outdoor instructional space for the department's programs. In addition, the project calls for infrastructure upgrades, landscape enhancements and public art, he said.

The building project is funded by donations to Texas Tech, including lead contributions from Bayer CropScience, as well as Dale and Cheryl Swinburn of Tulia, said Jane Piercy, CASNR's Director of Development and External Relations. In February, Tech received a $19.3 million contribution from Bayer CropScience benefiting research in the plant and soil science department and the building project specifically. The contribution was submitted for an equal amount of state matching funds from the Texas Research Incentive Program, increasing the total impact to $38.6 million and making it the largest cash investment for research in Tech's history.

"Our ongoing collaboration with Texas Tech University is very important to Bayer CropScience," said Mike Gilbert, the company's vice president of global breeding and trait development.

Written by Norman Martin

CONTACT: Michael Galyean, Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or michael.galyean@ttu.edu

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