Cornell University will host a grand opening ceremony for its New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1. The event is free and open to the public. The $70 million, 125,000-square-foot facility, which broke ground in May 2008, is a key state asset for maintaining the health of animals, protecting the food supply, ensuring public health and sustaining the economic vitality of several industries, according to Cornell University. “The New York State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will inspire 21st century discovery, strengthen our ability to successfully respond to emergencies and protect the animals and citizens of New York state,” said Michael Kotlikoff, the Austin O. Hooey Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Kotlikoff, along with Cornell President David Skorton and Patrick Hooker, commissioner of the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, will be speaking at the event. The facility was funded with $50 million from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, along with $20 million from Cornell and other sources. <HOME>
