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Columns::April 29, 2002
It’s a girl!
Faculty members look ‘Towards 2010’ an annual symposium
Trumpet virtuoso Fred Mills named first Prokasy Professor
Vehicle registration begins May 1 for university’s new parking system
Academic Assistance changes its name to Academic Enhancement
Convocation opens new academic year
Setting the agenda
Executive director of international education closes out ‘abroad career
Kudos
Whither the humanities?
A better mousetrap
Campus News
Animal, dairy complex named for Rhodes, former regents chairman
By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu
A major UGA facility for research and teaching in animal and dairy science will be named for Edgar L. Rhodes, a UGA
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| A 1935 UGA graduate, Edgar Rhodes has been an advocate for agricultural education in the state of Georgia. (Pandora Yearbook photo) |
graduate and former chairman of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents.
Earlier this month, the regents approved naming the animal and dairy science complex, located near the intersection of College Station and River roads, in honor of Rhodes, a Bremen businessman and farmer who is credited with providing much of the impetus for the facility.
The $31 million complex, opened in 1998, is one of the most advanced facilities in the country for research aimed at improving the productivity and economic value of farm animals. Within its 135,000 square feet are laboratories, a meat science center with a slaughter plant and retail space, state-of-the-art teaching spaces and offices for 4-H and extension programs.
The complex is home for research in such areas as biotechnology, genetics, animal nutrition and animal physiology.
Scientists in the facility are working in such areas as cloning technology and related stem cell therapy, genetic improvements in cattle breeding, studies to improve health and safety in red- meat consumption, and efforts to create more affordable nutrient management plans for livestock producers, says Larry Benyshek, head of the animal and dairy science department.
Rhodes, who for years raised Angus cows and Belgian horses on his Bremen farm, has long been a leading advocate for agricultural education in Georgia. He was on the board of regents, which governs Georgia’s public university system, from 1984 to 1999, and served two terms as chairman, in 1989-1991. He strongly supported agricultural education at UGA and other system schools and was instrumental in helping UGA obtain state funding for the animal and dairy science complex.
“There could be no more appropriate name to go on this complex than that of Edgar Rhodes,” says UGA President Michael F. Adams. “This facility embodies his unceasing commitment to strengthening education, especially agricultural education, and it symbolizes his loyalty and love for his alma mater. We are extremely pleased to honor ‘Mr. Edgar’s’ distinguished service and devotion in this way.”
The son of dairy farmers and a high school state livestock judging champion, Rhodes has a life-long interest in agriculture. He graduated from UGA’s agricultural college in 1935.
He taught vocational agriculture in high school, was a county extension agent and worked for the Farmers’ Home Administration.
In Bremen, he owned a lumber company and was an officer of the First National Bank of Haralson County along with managing his farm and forest lands.
In addition to serving as a regent, Rhodes has been a member of the Bremen school board, the Bremen city council and the Bremen Hospital Authority. He currently serves on the State Board of Technical and Adult Education.
Gale Buchanan, dean of the college, says Rhodes was one of the earliest and strongest proponents for building the animal and dairy science complex at UGA, and worked tirelessly with legislators for many years to secure funding for his dream.
“I don’t know of anybody who has earned the right to be recognized more than Mr. Rhodes,” Buchanan says. “His commitment to agriculture, to the University of Georgia and to education in general is unparalleled in Georgia. He is the type of person all of us in academia respect, admire and depend upon.” |
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