Students, faculty and staff returned to the Kleberg Animal and Food Science Center this fall to find two familiar spaces with a fresh look. Renovations to the Howard Hesby Student Atrium and Kleberg Center conference room focused on creating comfortable, functional spaces that celebrate community and the department’s history.

Honoring Howard Hesby’s commitment to students

Funded by Kay Hesby, widow of Howard Hesby, Ph.D., the atrium refresh honors Hesby’s love of seeing students study, visit and build community together.

The project replaced the atrium’s carpet with a new design that pays homage to the original pattern, representing the Brazos River. Existing benches received durable maroon leather upholstery, while additional benches and midcentury modern-style leather chairs provide more seating for students. New lamps address students’ requests for more lighting around study spaces.

Even the iconic cowhide chairs, longtime fixtures in Kleberg, received some attention with refreshed cushions.

The redesigned layout also offers students more ways to use the space. A new community table and bench seating provide room for group projects and student organization meetings. Separate tables with additional chairs create dedicated spaces for individual study.

Celebrating Animal Science history

The Kleberg Center conference room also received a refresh that highlights the department’s agricultural roots. The space recently recieved a fresh coat of paint and artwork courtesy of King Ranch celebrates the longstanding connection between the ranch and animal science. Historic branding irons now hang together to spell “ANSC,” adding another piece of department history to the space.

Together, the updates reflect a larger goal for Kleberg: to make every corner of the building feel like a home for students, faculty, staff and guests while honoring the people and traditions that shaped the Department of Animal Science.

Aerial shot of students studying an a study space.
Twi students on laptops sittign in cow hide chairs with a large Texas A&M sign beside them.
Students sitting in comfortable cowhide couches in a study space.
Students sitting at a long community table with maroon benches working on computers.
Two students itting in leather chairs studying.
An aerial shot of students working in a study space.
A cowboy style gallary wall with chairs in front.
A wood paneled wall that has two black and white photos, a framed hand sketch of two cowboys, four brandign irons hanging on the wall and a saddle blanket.