August N. Christenson Research and Education Building
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In order to facilitate research and education efforts on the ARDC, a 23,000 square foot building was constructed in the southwest corner of the ARDC. The August N. Christenson Research and Education Building is the hub for interaction with crop and livestock producers, as well as urban and rural audiences interested in turf, gardens, trees and natural environments.
The August N. Christenson Research and Education Building is designed to take advantage of the earth and sun to help heat, cool and light the interior. The facility is a partial earth-contact building positioned with a slight southeast orientation to take advantage of the insulative properties of the earth and the warmth and light from the sun. Heat pumps use the earth as a heating source in the winter and cooling source in the summer. Materials used in the construction of this building were chosen to minimize the impact of the structure on the environment.
The August N. Christenson Research and Education Building is strategically located in an area with many diverse environments including wet lands, forests, a stream, sub-irrigated meadows, agricultural research and production areas. This diversity of environments will stimulate the research and educational opportunities facilitated by the building.
Click here to take a PDF tour of the interior of the building.
About the building's namesake...August N. Christenson
The Research and Education Building is named in honor of August N. Christenson for his outstanding loyalty and commitment to the students, faculty and programs of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
August “Augie” Christenson grew up on his family’s farm near Colon, Nebraska, in Saunders County. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Business Administration in 1945 and was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity.
He dedicated his career to the Standard Chemical Manufacturing Company, a livestock feed and supply firm in Omaha, and retired as the senior vice president and treasurer.
A member of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor’s Club with Distinction and the University of Nebraska President’s Club, Augie is a loyal supporter of the University who has given annually since the 1950s.
On August 25, 2004, he committed a substantial planned gift to the University of Nebraska Foundation to provide perpetual support for the College of Business Administration, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.
