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New Agriculture Education Center at ASU

May 18, 2012

The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents has approved the construction of a $1.07 million agriculture training center to be named for the Mayer-Rousselot family whose donation made the facility possible for Angelo State University’s Management, Instruction and Research Center (MIR).  

The 4,372-square-foot Mayer-Rousselot Agriculture Education Center will be built adjacent to the Food Safety/Product Development Lab at the MIR Center.  The new facility will provide needed facilities to enhance practical ag education and will include an open shop floor area for welding, small engine repair and general mechanical instruction.  The facility will help meet the state’s growing need for high school agriculture teachers. 

ASU President Joseph C. Rallo said, “As more and more of our agriculture students come from urban rather than rural backgrounds, this type of facility is necessary to provide them and future high school ag teachers the practical instruction so critical to agricultural operations.  I want to thank the Mayer-Rousselot family for recognizing this need and providing the financial support to bring it to reality.” 

Family representative Ernie Mayer said, “Our family has a long history of contributing to Angelo State and to projects like this that help young people.  The fact that there is a growing need for high school ag teachers and we have been in the agriculture business for over five generations made this an easy decision.” 

Mayer-Rousselot family members contributed more than half of the construction cost.  The contributing family members are Edwin and Billye Mayer with sons Steve and Ernie Mayer; Norm and Doris Rousselot with children Mark, Michelle and Renee; and Richard and Betty Mayer with sons John and Ken Mayer. 

In addition to $325,755 in Texas Higher Education Assistance Funds, other organizations and individuals contributing to the project were the Kickapoo Springs Foundation, ASU President’s Circle, Pevehouse Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Stokes, Mrs. Eloise Russell, Porter Henderson Implement Company, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Frost, Dr. and Mrs. Brian May, Livestock Weekly, Dr. Jason Penry and an anonymous donor.