MSU’s Bob Miller Pavilion, built in the late 1960s, has served the College of Agriculture well for the last fifty years. However, with accelerating enrollment in the Department of Animal and Range Sciences, adequate and safe space for animals, students and teachers have become severely limited.
As a top-ranked agriculture program nationally, MSU seeks to develop infrastructure that mirrors the growth and leadership of its livestock and equine programs.
The proposed Agriculture Teaching Arena Complex is designed to expand capacity for teaching, research and outreach activities so that MSU can provide robust learning opportunities for students, youth and the public.
MSU degree programs in animal science currently enroll 300+ students and include options for equine science, livestock management & industry and sustainable livestock production. Each of these curricula involves interactive instruction for classes in anatomy, physiology, reproductive management, exercise, and nutrition as well as colt starting, equine behavior and horsemanship.
There is great demand in the Gallatin Valley for arena space to accommodate a wide range of youth development programming from 4H to FFA. Opportunities exist to provide space for other organizations as well, like the Heroes and Horses Program, which helps combat veterans make peace with their past.
The Bobcat Rodeo team boasts nearly 60 student-athletes. These talented riders have won 8 college national team titles and many regional crowns for MSU. Their performances are directly related to time spent in an arena riding and practicing their events. Students involved in the Polo and Intercollegiate Horse Show Association clubs also require hours of arena time.
Montana State University and the community have outgrown Bob Miller Pavilion. A revitalized Agriculture Teaching Arena Complex will give us the capacity to serve future generations of students from Montana and across the country.
Director of Development
Montana State University Alumni Foundation
jesse.tufte@msuaf.org
(406) 994-4417 (o) and (406) 599-0188 (c)
Department Head
Animal and Range Sciences, MSU College of Agriculture
hatfield@montana.edu
406-994-4850