PULLMAN, Wash. — Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire is scheduled to deliver the keynote remarks at the grand opening ceremony of Washington State University’s Plant Biosciences Building on Friday, Oct. 14.
The event will be held from 2 to 3 p.m on the building’s southwest patio at the intersection of Stadium Way and Wilson Road (across from French Administration). Public tours and a reception will follow.
Other scheduled speakers include WSU President V. Lane Rawlins; WSU Regent Peter Goldmark; Fifth District Rep. Cathy McMorris; Joseph Jen, U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary for Research, Education and Economics; and Andrew Hammond, associate area director of the Pacific West Area of the USDA-Agricultural Research Service.
Dan Bernardo, dean of the WSU College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, will preside.
The 93,000-square-foot, four-story structure houses 30 research labs and lab support areas on three secured upper floors. Four major teaching labs with adjacent equipment demonstration and support areas are located on the first floor along with a study lounge.
The building is the first in what eventually may become a complex of seven interconnected buildings. The complex will bring state and federal scientists with similar interests into close proximity, fostering collaboration in plant biosciences research.
The state legislature funded the construction, which began in 2003 and was completed earlier this year.
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