News
Tennessee Tech opens new Poultry Science Research Center
Tennessee Tech University celebrated the grand opening of their Poultry Science Research
Center on Dec. 2, as well as the official naming of the Aviagen Poultry Science Laboratory
inside. The new facility, which will give faculty and students in the College of Agriculture
and Human Ecology access to cutting edge technology, was made possible through a number
of supporters throughout the state.
“I think this is a great testament to the power of partnerships,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “We believe strongly in partnerships at Tennessee Tech because we believe we are all better together. The students are going to have an opportunity to enjoy this facility and then go off into their jobs and make a big difference – that’s what this is all about.”
The Poultry Science Research Center is a 200 foot building built from a $2.07 million Drive to 55 grant from the state of Tennessee. Additional money for equipment came from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). Each house is 40x80 with a 40x50 area in the middle for a research processing area, office, bathrooms and laboratory. Aviagen gave money for the naming rights for the laboratory. There are opportunities for other companies to donate and have their name on other rooms or spaces.
Students will be able to have hands-on experience in work going on in the poultry
industry today and also be involved in important research in health and nutrition
alongside Victoria Ayres, the new assistant professor of poultry science.
“I’ve seen firsthand the impact of what I call scholar-teachers,” Lori Bruce, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. “When faculty have the opportunity to have world-class research facilities to do scholarly work at the top level, that drives discovery, knowledge and innovative solutions to social problems. It also directly impacts the experience our students have because the students get the advantage of being taught by faculty who are world-class. They get to participate in research, but also faculty get to be practitioners of their discipline.”
Graduating students will be able to know that the skills they are learning will be relevant and up-to-date as soon as they step out into the workforce.
“Two words drive everything we do at Tennessee Tech: students first,” said Kevin Braswell, vice president of university advancement. “Through this center and the Aviagen Poultry Science Laboratory, our students will be able to do a few key things: gain hands-on experience, apply current industry practices, and also gain a better understanding of the scientific process and be leaders in that process.”
Darron Smith, dean of the college of agriculture and human ecology, said, “This is without a doubt the best research center in the State of Tennessee. Having these relationships builds a pipeline for our students to get employment and internships. We have placed a lot of students in the poultry industry across the area. This lab will help train them even more to be able to move into the poultry industry.”
Amy New, president and CEO of the Cookeville Chamber of Commerce agreed. “Industries want people from an agriculture and human ecology background because they bring grit, they bring loyalty, they bring hard work, they bring it all,” she said. “I’m excited that we are making those incredible future leaders at Tennessee Tech.”
Students at Tech are expected to begin using the facility in spring 2023.
**This is an updated version of a previously published story. Updates reflect clarification in building specifications and funding sources. For more information about the facility, visit https://www.tntech.edu/cahe/ag/tech-farms/poultry-center.php.
