The re-dedication of SUNY Delhi’s veterinary science facility, Farnsworth Hall, took place Sept. 6, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the unveiling of a $36 million, two-year renovation.
The event included speakers SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr., SUNY President Mary Bonderoff, Dean of the School of Veterinary Science and Professional Studies Brett Meckel and state Assemblyman Chris Tague.
“Farnsworth Hall has been a pioneering veterinary and applied sciences program,” Bonderoff said. “With an additional six-figure gift from an anonymous donor this year, we now also have the ability to offer spay and neutering for cats and dogs.”
Farnsworth Hall underwent a comprehensive renovation funded by the SUNY Construction Fund focusing on energy efficiency, new HVAC technologies with specialized ventilation for animal care areas, updated plumbing, an all-LED lighting system, new state-of-the-art veterinary science labs, surgical suites, a new community-facing small animal health clinic and classrooms with infrastructure that supports technology, student collaboration, and multi-use needs, according to the press release.
“We have been pioneers in veterinary technology, breaking-down barriers,” King said. “We have 220 students in the veterinary tech program who can study and work in a modern animal autopsy, surgical lab and diagnostics facility.”
Other features such as geothermal heat pumps, EV charging stations, water system, and cooling and heating panels that recirculate air and control temperatures through the building have made Farnsworth Hall a state-of-the-art facility, King said.
“We are now the premier vet-tech facility in the nation,” he said.
“The new tables in the lab to preserve cadavers can now manage the fumes,” Camryn Szabo, a second-year veterinary science student said. “It makes a real difference in getting our work done.”
“The planning for this renovation has been a long-time coming since 2013,” Meckel said. “When we got the funding and started two years ago, we had to move labs around and just started to move back into the building in mid-June.”
“We have a real teaching clinic with real case studies for students, lab space and a simulation lab where students can practice and animal biomedical training,” Meckel said. “I bet now that you’ve seen what we’ve done with this building, you all want to get renovations, too.”
“We are leading the nation in veterinary science and technology,” Tague said. “There is a huge shortage of vets in this nation, especially large animals, which is why our veterinary science students, and this program, are so valuable.”
A ribbon-cutting followed the presentations. The ceremony ended with veterinary science students, dressed in their green lab scrubs, leading a tour of the updated facilities.