by Jimmie Oakley

The Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology held a “groundbreaking” ceremony for the new Texas Honey Bee Lab Facility on Friday morning, July 24, 2009, on the Riverside Campus off State Highway 47 in Bryan, Texas.
It was attended by distinguished members of Texas A&M University, the Entomology Department, the Texas Beekeepers Association, various local beekeeper association, and the company and contractors responsible for the construction of the building.
There was an immediate question by all in attendance as to what was really going on, because instead of breaking ground on the new facility, a partly completed building stood before us with men working laboriously as we spoke. There was an 8 foot, 2x6 beam, that lay on a table in front of the speakers podium; so maybe it was a “beam raising”. But no, the contractor indicated there was now no need or place for the particular piece of wood that lay before us. It was finally suggested that because of the size and length of the wooden plank that it was a “stud signing”, and that is what we did.
The dignitaries, the association officers, the contractors and the local association representatives all took their turn affixing their name and comments to the a-fore-mentioned piece of timber with much flare, pomp and show.

The signing was preceded by opening remarks from Dr. Kevin Heinz with the Entomology Department, Dr. Larry Boleman on behalf of Dr. Mark Hussey, Vice
Chancellor and Dean, Dr. John G. Thomas, former professor and major contributor and TBA President, Todd Youngblood, on behalf of the Texas Beekeeping Industry.
After the signing, many were given the opportunity to take a quick tour of the Facility as is, to get a feel for the size and scope of the building. With concrete floors, no roof, and only stud walls the framework was very large and airy; but add a roof , some sheetrock, doors and windows, and it will take on a official look.

A noon buffet was prepared at the College Station Hilton Hotel for all who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Dr. Mark Hussey was on hand and make some remarks about the accomplishment of all those involved in the fund raising campaign.

Dr. Tanya Pankiw, Associate Professor, Dept of Entomology, expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Texas beekeepers in finally reaching the goal of building a lab for beekeeping research at A&M.