New Greenhouses Light Up WALSAA’s 25th

The new D. C. Smith Instructional Greenhouse will be dedicated during WALSAA's 25th anniversary celebration.

The Wisconsin Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) has a celebration planned April 4-5 to mark its quarter-century of service to UW–Madison’s agricultural campus.

“Strengthening Connections” is the theme of the anniversary celebration, which will include a symposium of student and faculty presentations, an awards banquet, campus tours and a dedication of the new D.C. Smith Greenhouse. About 2,000 alumni of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences belong to WALSAA, but all 26,000 CALS alumni have been invited to the celebration. Events include:

• The D.C. Smith Instructional Greenhouse dedication and reception, Friday, April 4, 3:30 -5:30 p.m. The new greenhouse is an exciting addition to CALS academic programs, featuring 10,000 square feet under glass, 10 growing rooms, and a 1,600-square-foot conservatory. It was made possible through a partnership of state and private support. Attending the event will be Irwin Smith, the son of D.C. Smith and a major donor to the project. Gov. Tommy Thompson and Chancellor David Ward also are expected.
• Student and faculty presentations during symposia, Saturday, April 5, 10 -11:20 a.m. Speakers will give 20-minute presentations at both the Biotechnology Center Auditorium and the Agriculture Hall Auditorium.
• Tours of the CALS campus, Saturday, April 5, 2-4 p.m., including stops at the Animal Sciences Building, Babcock Hall, the Biotechnology Center and Russell Labs.

WALSAA, founded in 1972, supports a variety of CALS programs. It awards $10,000 in scholarships annually, supports the Wisconsin Rural Leadership program, recruits prospective students and helps fund the CALS Ambassadors. The event will help kick off a major initiative to raise funds for CALS and to enhance undergraduate education.