Posted by Jim Wayman on May 22, 2018
Dr. Brent Thomas, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at Emporia State University, shared with our club information on the new Prophet Aquatic Research & Outreach Center. Located on the north end of campus next to King Lake, the center will enable them to help meet the challenges posed by infrastructure and equipment that is not currently possible at ESU. Biology is a strength at ESU. This facility will make the existing programs even stronger. It will help to attract quality students and quality future instructors to ESU.
 
ESU have been known for the student engagement and good learning environment in the biological sciences. Dr. Carl Prophet's dedication to teaching biology at ESU contributed greatly toward ESU's reputation, and the new facility is being dedicated to him. Dr. Prophet was a great example at ESU for helping kids get excited about learning by getting their hands dirty. This engagement has led to a very popular Summer Biology Day Camp at ESU that has always had a long waiting list among kids. Kids don't learn biology by completing worksheets, but by experiencing it first-hand outside. A sufficient quantity of high quality water resources is extremely important for our way of life on this planet. That should be reason enough to get kids engaged in a meaningful way to get them excited about biology and leaning about the importance of our water resources. This new outreach center will impact kids year around, instead of just a short time in the summer. It will enable the program to expand from just 25 kids to thousands of kids year around and at a much wider age range. 
 
The Westar Green Team has already installed the posts that will enable the building to be placed six feet above the flood plain. Of the $850,000 total cost of construction, $615,000 has been raised, so they are well on their way to raising the needed funds.