Page 48 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2023 - Online Magazine
P. 48
TEXAS TECH’S
Iconic Dairy Barn
This article is excerpted from an essay by George Watson that appeared in Texas Tech Today on October 16, 2020.
academic and student programs
in CASNR (College of Agricultural
Sciences & Natural Resources),
said, "The barn is a great reminder
of our past and will serve as a
resource for current students and
visitors because of the educational
component and the collaboration
space it provides."
In 1992, a student fundraising
or almost 100 years, the Dairy in 1935, the Dairy Barn continued effort resulted in the Dairy Barn
Barn has stood as a symbol of to serve the educational needs of and its remaining silo being
Fthe early days of Texas Tech students interested in agriculture recognized on the National
University and the persevering until it was abandoned in 1966, Register of Historic Places. In 2016,
spirit embodied in all Red Raiders. sitting vacant for more than a half- the Lubbock County Historical
century. Commission unveiled a new Texas
Built in 1926, just three years after State Historical Marker at the
the university was established, [After] a $3.5 million restoration location.
the Dairy Barn allowed for the project in 2017, the historic Dairy
payment of tuition through milk Barn once again became a vital [In] 2012, it was given a fresh
sales from cattle that were either and functioning academic facility, coat of paint, and the roof was
brought by students or donated complete with office and meeting replaced. Two years later, the green
to the college. Students were spaces. space around the West Library
encouraged to bring up to three Mall and the Dairy Barn were
cows of their own to campus "These renovations ensure the part of a campus beautification
and house them in the barn. The preservation of an important piece project that included landscaping,
Student Dairy Association was of the university's history," said lighting, and walkways. The
formed that year, and by the Texas Tech President Lawrence Dairy Barn now consists of spaces
early 1930s, Texas Tech's Dairy Schovanec. "The Dairy Barn has that bring together students and
Manufacturing Department was a special significance for what faculty from all disciplines on the
self-supporting, furnishing milk it represents – our West Texas campus. Small group meeting
and ice cream to the campus heritage and agricultural roots. spaces provide multi-disciplinary
cafeteria and the Lubbock The transformation of this building groups an environment that fosters
community. will serve many purposes and be a problem solving, creative thinking,
resource for all Red Raiders." and scholarship.
Even though that method of
tuition payment was discontinued Cindy Akers, associate dean for The first floor of the Dairy Barn
48 Lubbock Senior Link
