KSUCVM - Development - Gifts & Donors

Hartz Mountain Corporation Lends a Hand after Coles Hall Fire

Dr. Albert Ahn presents a check to Dean Ralph Richardson and Dr. M.M. Chengappa
Dr. Albert Ahn (right) presents a check for $35,000 from The Hartz Mountain Corporation to Dean Ralph Richardson (middle) and Dr. M.M. Chengappa (left). The donation will be used to replace furniture and equipment damaged in the July 20, 2002 fire in Coles Hall.

With the vision of strengthening ties between industry and veterinary medicine, The Hartz Mountain Corporation donated $35,000 to the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. The gift will help replace furniture and equipment destroyed within the Parasitology Section of the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology during a fire in Coles Hall on July 20, 2002.

Representing Hartz Mountain, Dr. Albert Ahn visited the CVM on August 30 to present the check to Dean Richardson and other faculty members.

"We are very appreciative of this generous gift from Hartz Mountain, one of the best known names in animal care," Dean Richardson said. "It shows how much they value our parasitology research and researchers."

This is the first gift of its kind that Hartz Mountain has made to an educational institution. Dr. Ahn, a veterinarian and Division Vice President, Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, said that he hopes the donation will contribute to the advancement of cutting edge research within the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine.

"We chose to initiate our outreach programs at K-State largely because of Dr. Michael Dryden, a pioneer and a leader in flea research. He is truly an authority figure," Dr. Ahn said. "We hope to help the department get back on its feet and back to high quality research."

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Hartz Mountain offers more than 2,000 different products, each of which is dedicated to the health and well-being of a wide variety of household pets. Owned by J.W. Childs Associates, Hartz Mountain prides itself on customer service, innovation through expanded research and development, and quality in manufacturing.

The fire, which originated on the third floor of Coles Hall, caused a total of $600,000 in damage, including cleanup costs, computers, furniture and miscellaneous equipment. Of particular interest is the replacement of the 12-year-old flow cytometer.