University of Florida to Start Construction on New Agricultural, Engineering Building

The University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla., recently announced that it will soon begin construction on a new academic building for the department of agricultural and biological engineering (ABE), according to a news release. The W.W. Glenn Teaching Building is scheduled to begin construction by the end of 2024 and finish by August 2025, in time for the new academic year.

Image courtesy of University of Florida

The new facility will cover 7,200 square feet, more than twice that of the existing ABE building. The facility will include a mechanical workshop and an engineering design workshop, among other amenities.

“The new building will provide our students with state-of-the-art, hands-on learning experiences to further explore technology, innovation and creative design, preparing them to be our future problem-solvers for agricultural and natural resource challenges,” said ABE chair Kati Migliaccio.

The building was funded through donations from the university community. It was named after UF graduate and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension agent W.W. Glenn, whose family provided financial support to the project.

“These extremely generous gifts will enable us to train the next generation of leaders to help natural resources and the environment in Florida, as well as the world as it continues to grow and change,” said Daniel Hofstetter, a university assistant professor in agricultural construction and maintenance, at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Today, we're not only breaking ground for a new building, but we’re also breaking barriers in our teaching program.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Spaces4Learning Announces 2026 Product Award Winners

    Spaces4Learning has just announced the winners of the 2026 Product Awards! The award program spotlights outstanding product development achievements of manufacturers and suppliers whose products or services are considered to be particularly noteworthy in their ability to enhance K–12 and higher-education learning environments.

  • Bradley Company Highlights Hygiene Tips for Global Handwashing Day

    In honor of Global Handwashing Day on October 15, commercial washrooms and emergency safety solutions provider Bradley Company recently released the results of its 2026 Healthy Handwashing Survey. The findings indicate simple, practical steps that facilities managers can take to encourage good hygiene on campus.

  • Minnesota District Completes Renovations to 3 Schools

    South Washington County Schools in Woodbury, Minn., recently completed major renovation projects to three of its schools, according to a news release. The district partnered with Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and the upgrades were part of a larger referendum that voters approved in fall 2024.

  • Wyoming District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne, Wy., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the upcoming Mountain View Elementary School, according to a news release. The facility has an estimated completion date of summer 2028, and it will have the capacity for 650 students in fifth and sixth grade.