NASHVILLE (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University President, Dr. Glenda Glover says that the institution must take the lead in producing job-ready students to fill the rapidly increasing demand for qualified and well-trained individuals to occupy positions in agriculture and other high skilled areas.
When Dr. Glover and state officials broke ground for a $4 million education and research facility, the President, in an apparent reference to the nearly completed $8 million biotechnology research building, said all of “these” on-going projects are an indication that TSU is capable and ready to prepare student to fill the job needs of the state.
“Nothing makes me more excited than to see new structures sprouting every day by leaps and bounds to give our students and faculty the best opportunities and facilities to carry out cutting-edge research,” Dr. Glover said. “With all of this federal, state and local support, I can assure you that Tennessee State will be in the forefront of providing job-ready students who are capable to compete for the best jobs anywhere in world.”
The new, 4,800 square-foot research and education facility, to be completed in September, will include a field research support building, an agricultural education building, an equipment shed, and a pesticide storage facility. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Other officials participating in the groundbreaking ceremony were Chancellor John Morgan, of the Tennessee Board of Regents; Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Julius Thomas Johnson; Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences; and Ron Brooks, Associate Vice President of Facilities Management.
Like President Glover, Dr. Reddy also expressed concern about the growing demand for skilled workers in agriculture, citing that with a demand of more than 50,000 new employees each year, the nation’s educational system was producing less than 30,000. To meet the demand, he pointed to the “sustained” growth in his college, including $55 million in research, 1,100 students, among them 150 paid graduate students, and an Extension program that serves 32 counties, up from 12 in 2007.
“The groundbreaking for these new facilities not only demonstrates our dedication and commitment to providing students and stakeholders with the best research and training facilities, but also marks another step in the growth of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Resource,” Dr. Reddy said.
Chancellor Morgan congratulated President Glover and Dr. Reddy for the new project, which he said, helps to enhance TSU’s already growing research enterprise.
“I am proud of President Glover, and as we have indicated before, she has come on board and surrounded herself with the right people who can move Tennessee State University ahead,” he said.
Agriculture Commission Johnson also congratulated Dr. Reddy for “planting a seed of hope and potential” to develop well-qualified students and a more informed public.
“To feed the growing world population will be a major challenge, which requires that students succeed by planting seeds necessary to meet that challenge,” Johnson said.
Also making remarks at the ceremony was Dr. Dexter Wakefield, Director of Diversity and Inclusion with the National FFA (Future Farmers Association of America) Organization, who called for greater inclusion of minority in agricultural education.
“Diversity and inclusion in agricultural education is a major part of student success,” Dr. Wakefield said.
The new education and research facility will be constructed next to the greenhouses at the Agricultural Research& Educational Center on the main campus.