Agricultural sciences building named for alum
The atrium of the Agricultural Sciences building was dedicated Wednesday afternoon to the man who initiated USU’s dairy program, the late George B. Caine.
According to Ken White, dean of the College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, the George B. Caine Atrium has been more than appropriately named.
“He was a very important part of the history of this college and this campus,” White said. “Because this atrium is the focal point of the building, it was fitting to have this place named after him.”
As well as serving as head of his pioneered department until his retirement in 1955, Caine started the George B. Caine Dairy Teaching and Research Center. Noelle Cockett, executive vice president and provost, said because of the dairy, faculty, students and visitors can enjoy research opportunities and training here locally.
“It is one of the gems that we have in our college of agriculture and specifically in the program of veterinary sciences,” Cockett said. “This is another very fitting recognition for a man who has given so much… I can’t think of a better tribute than naming this atrium the George B. Caine Atrium.”
Kolby Talbot, a senior and the recipient of the George B. Caine Dairy Scholarship, said he has spent a lot of time at the dairy and in its classrooms, and believes in the dairy’s technologies and its ability to advance student learning.
“I sometimes wonder if people realize how important running a successful dairy farm is for the well-being of the world population,” Talbot said. “I know that George B. Caine knew of this importance, and through his generous donations, scholarships and mountains of dollars donated, students here at Utah State University have been able to gain an understanding of this concept.”
Manon Caine Russell, Caine’s daughter who is also a patron of USU, thanked all in attendance for the honor.
“Dad was never as happy as he was when he was here teaching,” she said. “He loved you all. This was just his thing, and I’ve often thought as I got older that I don’t know if anyone enjoyed their work more than my father.”
– manda.perkins@hotmail.com