The department of entomology at Texas AM University celebrated the grand opening of the Rollins Urba...

1. Rollins Urban and Structural Entomology Facility opens at
Texas A&M
The department of entomology at Texas AM University celebrated the grand opening of the Rollins
Urban and Structural Entomology Facility in College Station May 4.
COLLEGE STATION - The department of entomology at Texas AM University celebrated the grand
opening of the Rollins Urban and Structural Entomology Facility in College Station May 4. The
luncheon event featured remarks by the Texas AM University System Chancellor John Sharp, Vice
Chancellor and Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dr. Mark Hussey, and John Wilson, president
and chief operating officer of Rollins Inc.
"The Rollins Urban and Structural Entomology Facility sets Texas AM apart from every other
university and system in the nation," Sharp said. "It provides world-class amenities to teach, conduct
Texas AM AgriLife Research and host Texas AM AgriLife Extension Service programs for decades to
come."
The new building, located at the corner of FB Road and Agronomy Road in College Station, is named
in honor of the O. Wayne Rollins Foundation, whose $2 million gift helped make the long-awaited
dream a reality, officials said.
"We are thankful for the Rollins family's generous gift," Hussey said. "The Rollins Urban and
Structural Entomology Facility will ensure Texas AM remains at the forefront of urban entomology.
This state-of-the-art facility will aid our faculty, staff and students in the discovery, development and
implementation of the research findings needed to control insects in and around homes and
businesses."
The new structure is paired with the department's Endowed Chair for Urban and Structural
Entomology. Dr. Ed Vargo was recently named as the endowed chair upon the retirement of Dr.
Roger Gold, who was instrumental in the creation of the facility.
"The Rollins Urban and Structural Entomology Facility played a major role in my decision to come to
Texas AM as the new endowed chair," said Vargo. "This first-rate building, made possible by the
generosity of the Rollins family and other donors, is head and shoulders above any urban
entomology facility in the country. It's an inspiring place to conduct research, mentor students and
hold training sessions. It's truly an exciting time for urban entomology at Texas AM."
The 10,000-square-foot building, designed by WHR Architects, includes laboratories, a conference
room, offices and training areas. Most importantly, it is home to a dynamic urban entomology
program that supports both the pest management industry and the public interests of Texas and
beyond, officials said.

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