Hundreds of students, faculty and community members gathered Friday, Oct. 10, inside the new Bilbrey Family Event Center to celebrate its grand opening, marking a milestone for hands-on learning and student opportunities within Kansas State’s College of Agriculture.
Dr. Teresa Douthit, interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, said the Bilbrey Family Event Center provides an elaborate space for classes, student clubs and major agricultural events such as the annual K-State Rodeo, reflecting the university’s ongoing investment in agricultural education and expanding hands-on learning for students.
“The passion and excitement that the donors had was what struck me the most,” Douthit said. “They’re not going to be the ones using this on a daily basis, but they’re really excited to be able to make a difference and impact our students.”
Douthit said the new arena will be used for classes that were previously weather-dependent, such as horse training courses, which often had to cancel sessions in the past due to weather. The climate-controlled space will now allow those classes to continue year-round in a safe, modern environment.
“For some of our courses, this really changes the way those courses are going to be taught,” Douthit said. “Instead of building in 10 snow days, they know they can meet every single day.”
Beyond coursework, the facility will serve as a home for student organizations, including the K-State Rodeo and livestock judging teams. Students will no longer have to travel or haul animals to smaller, outdated facilities for practices and events.
Kassandra Shoemaker, graduate assistant rodeo coach, said the new space provides both convenience and confidence for student athletes.
“Having a state-of-the-art center like this just allows us to practice in a good facility all year round,” Shoemaker said. “It helps us better prepare for competition.”
Sage Toews, junior in agricultural economics and a student representative who spoke at the event, said the building showcases K-State’s fresh approach to agricultural education.
“This facility truly is a reflection of the attitude of students, faculty and staff at K-State,” Toews said. “It offers a cutting-edge glimpse of what K-State has to offer.”
Brad Anderson, who works with the K-State Foundation and College of Agriculture team, said the new arena represents both progress and pride for the university.
“It just opens up a realm of possibilities that we didn’t necessarily have before,” Anderson said. “This reflects our commitment to investing in the College of Agriculture and that land-grant mission.”
Douthit said the event was more than just a ribbon-cutting — it was a way to connect donors, students and the community while showcasing what the new facility means for the university’s future.
“Having that celebration and getting everyone excited about it lets people see the facility while it’s brand new,” Douthit said. “It’s an exciting opportunity for everyone.”
The Bilbrey Family Event Center is expected to host classes, rodeo practices and public events throughout the year, becoming a hub for both student learning and community engagement.