Brenton Center
for Agricultural Instruction & Technology Transfer

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Brenton Center Mission

The Brenton Center for Agricultural Instruction and Technology Transfer germinated from a seed planted when Dr. Harold Crawford identified a need for facilities for teleconferencing and teaching at a distance. Dean David Topel nurtured the idea, encouraging Dr. Crawford to develop a plan for using Curtiss Hall space vacated by the Department of Genetics. Topel and Crawford found fertile ground for the seed's growth during discussions with members of the Brenton family.

The Brentons' gift, honoring W. Harold and Etta Brenton, graduates of the Iowa State College class of 1920, launched a fund-raising campaign. Many others provided a good growing season, contributing ideas, funds and other gifts. On August 21, 1995, classes began in the Brenton Center and consumers of educational programs in agriculture began harvesting the fruits of a seed planted in 1988.

Vision

To be a dynamic center of excellence that contributes to enhancing teaching and learning and in establishing the College of Agriculture as the premier provider of distance education in agriculture.

Mission

To deliver quality credit and non-credit educational offerings, provide reliable services, and ensure exemplary support for technology use and distance education efforts of the College of Agriculture.

Goals

• To enhance teaching and learning in the College of Agriculture.
• To increase state, national, and international access to educational offerings provided by the College of Agriculture.
• To develop partnerships and linkages with extension, community colleges, agricultural business and industry, associations, commodity groups, and other universities.
• To develop a resource base that will sustain and enhance achievement of the mission.