MEDIA ADVISORY: Grand Opening of New Entrepreneurial Teaching Laboratory at MU

Story Contact(s):
Christian Basi, BasiC@missouri.edu, 573-882-4430

WHAT: The grand opening of the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Center for Agricultural Development at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR). The ADM Center for Agriculture Development will provide students with opportunities for experiential learning in the latest theories of biofuel development, food production and energy processing. ADM provided a $1 million gift to establish the facility.

WHO: Hank Foley, MU senior vice chancellor for research and graduate studies
Tom Payne, dean of CAFNR
Mike D’Ambrose, senior vice president of human resources at ADM
Jing Lu Tan, MU director of food systems and bioengineering
Daniel Bonacker, MU student and president of the Ag Systems Management Club.

WHERE: Agricultural Engineering Building
East Campus Drive, MU Campus

WHEN: 11 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 9

WHY: Educational experts say students learn best through hands-on education. This lab allows students to select critical issues facing agriculture and brainstorm solutions, develop a timeline and budget, make decisions, take the initiative to test solutions in the lab, and be accountable for results. This approach develops team skills needed by industry. Faculty function as coaches and resource people who guide students’ projects in a way that helps them learn from their successes and failures.

NOTE: Video opportunities prior to the ceremony include:

• Twin-engine quarter-scale tractor raced by students in a national competition.
• Scale model of a grain elevator built by students with donations from ADM and others.
• Green screen facility where students can create communication videos.
• Computer center where students can research and design their projects.
• Clean room mechanical assembly area.