Home › The Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center Webcam
There was a time when barns and sheds were prevalent on Utah State University's main campus and cattle were sheltered and fed in places where classrooms, laboratories and libraries now stand. Over the years, campus expansion and the changing needs of agricultural education and research moved many agricultural facilities and activities to more suitable locations.
May 8 marked an exciting development in animal agriculture with the opening of the college’s new Animal Teaching and Research Center, located on Highway 89/91 north of Wellsville, Utah. Senator Lyle Hillyard told guests at the dedication that former USU President Kermit Hall first brought up the idea of creating a new agricultural facility. Hillyard said he immediately recognized that it was a critical time for the state to make a strong, clear commitment to agriculture or risk having USU students fall behind.
“They may create something here that impacts agriculture around the world,” he said in describing how research and teaching at USU reach well beyond Cache Valley and the state to affect agriculture internationally.
USU President Stan Albrecht thanked local legislators for their strong support of the project, particularly Senators Peter Knudson and Hillyard. While buildings are not named for sitting legislators, Albrecht said university administrators felt strongly that Hillyard should be honored for his service to USU for securing the $10 million of state funds to construct the new building. In that spirit, Albrecht unveiled the sign for the new building: The Matthew Hillyard Animal, Teaching and Research Center.
Matthew is the 33-year-old son of Senator Hillyard and his wife, Alice. Matthew, who has Down syndrome, helped cut the ribbon and officially opened the building.
One wing of the building includes a classroom, offices and several animal physiology and reproduction labs. There is also a suite of veterinary medicine facilities, including a lab, surgery, recovery and animal holding areas. The building’s north wing houses another classroom, USDA-inspected meat lab, refrigeration rooms and office space.
Noelle Cockett, vice president for USU Extension and Agriculture announced the naming of one of the building’s main classrooms after Mark C. Healey, former head of USU’s Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Science. Cockett said Dr. Healey, who died of pancreatic cancer in December 2007, was a driver of the ATRC project and inspired everyone involved in its planning and construction.
Dr. Mark Healey’s wife, Jo Ann Healey, and their daughter, Rachelle Wright received a replica of the plaque that hangs in the hallway, denoting the Mark C. Healey Classroom.