University of Arizona expanding its footprint in Northern Arizona
The Steele Foundation announced Monday that it selected the University of Arizona rather than Yavapai College for its donation of the 45.7 acre DK Ranch along Oak Creek. However, Yavapai College has been granted access to the property through a reciprocal program partnership with the university.
The Steele Foundation selected UA out of several local colleges and universities who had vied for the Ranch It is valued at $2.6 million.
According to Angela Gonzales, Senior Reporter, Phoenix Business Journal, the University of Arizona will use the property for its proposed veterinary school, among other programs. You may read Ms. Gonzales complete report by clicking here. The Journal was told that every student within UA’s Veterinary Medical and Surgical Program will be able to live on the property for at least six weeks to complete rotations on ranch management, riparian ecosystems, wildlife medicine and management as well as other programs. The veterinary program is scheduled to open in August 2016.
Tom Tracey, reporting for the Verde Independent, interviewed Dr. Penelope Wills about the decision. His complete article may be accessed by clicking here. Dr. Wills’ told Mr. Tracey that “[w]e congratulate the University of Arizona on being selected to receive this magnificent donation. We understand that The Steele Foundation cited as a strong point in U of A’s proposal their partnership with and commitment to working with Yavapai College. We have a solid relationship with Dr. Shane Burgess, dean of the University of Arizona Agriculture and Life Sciences department, and I’m confident that many of the programs that we had included in our proposal will be part of the plan going forward.”
The proposal-period for deciding who should receive the ranch generated anger from Dr. Wills who charged, without naming the Sedona
Redrock News, that a cartoon on its editorial page might interfere with Yavapai College receiving the ranch. At the time of the Steele Foundation announced its decision, it stated it felt this was a “win-win for everyone involved.” 