St. Joseph is working to add an Advanced Science Research Center to its roster of educational institutions. The center will help bolster the city’s workforce in order to meet the needs of the animal health industry. The effort got a major boost on June 13 when Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., announced a $250,000 donation to the project.
“St. Joseph is our home and ensuring we are helping our community develop skills that will not only help their personal economy, but also help ensure Boehringer Ingelheim remains a vital business in the St. Joseph community, is truly a win-win,” said Dr. Albrecht Kissel (pictured).
The St. Joseph School District and its foundation are leading the effort to construct the building at Hillyard Technical Center. The project was established with the agreement that the St. Joseph School District Foundation would raise $500,000 in private donations, and once that goal was achieved, the School District would provide the additional $900,000 to complete the 10,000 square foot addition to HTC. The BIVI donation provides half of the foundation’s $500,000 goal.
“This project is a great example of reinvesting in the community,” said Brad McAnally, former chairman of the SJSD Foundation and facility campaign chairperson. “I’m confident with the kind of passion we all have for our hometown, that the Advanced Science Research Center will be training students soon…very soon.”
The center will enhance the teaching of science, technology, engineering and math; provide a laboratory experience dedicated to academic rigor; and provide a better-prepared workforce for an industry that is critical to the future of St. Joseph.
To make a donation to this effort, send a check to the St. Joseph School District Foundation, 514 N. 22nd St., St. Joseph, MO 64501. For more information, call (816) 671-4117.