CSU breaks ground on $65M research institute

A group of VIPs donned hardhats — some shaped like cowboy hats — Friday afternoon and turned a shovelful of dirt near Colorado State University's Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

A few moments later, another group of VIPs patted down the dirt and performed the ceremonial groundbreaking again.

In some ways, it's a metaphor for the building that will go up in the space. Only instead of smoothing and repairing dirt, it will help to heal — and pioneer new techniques to heal — both animals and humans.

"If you think about what is going to happen in this facility, we're going to be moving things," CSU President Tony Frank said, explaining the significance he sees in the name of the C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute. "We're going to be moving things from the bench, from the laboratory into the hospital. We'll be moving from theory into practice. We'll be moving patients from disease into health."

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Aside from the mighty aspirations of the $65 million research facility off the university's Drake Road veterinary campus, the new institute also represents the single largest donation CSU has ever received.

John and Leslie Malone, who raise dressage and horses and thoroughbred racehorses, gave a "transformational" donation of $42.5 million for the facility, according to CSU.

Princess Abigail K. Kawananakoa of Hawaii, a longtime friend of the building's namesake CSU professor, largely rounded out the donations with a $20 million gift.

Kawananakoa breeds American quarter horses and McIlwraith long helped with the orthopaedic health — essentially, the parts of the body in humans and animals that assist with movement and support — of her animals.

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She and the Malones insisted that the building be named after McIlwraith, a distinguished professor in the CSU Department of Clinical Sciences, founding director of the CSU Orthopaedic Research Center and director of its musculoskeletal research program.

"I've known Wayne (McIlwraith) for 30 years, and he has provided the world's best orthopaedic care for my horses," Kawananakoa said in a statement provided by CSU. "During this time, I've gained insights into the work of the CSU Orthopaedic Research Center and have seen first-hand how its discoveries improve horse health with novel approaches to treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation."

She was given an honorary doctorate by CSU in 2016.

While the major donors and McIlwraith are bound by mutual love for horses, the Translational Medicine Institute is designed to meet needs across species, with an eye toward potential commercialization of its discoveries.

CSU scientists will research therapies involving stem cells and other techniques for horses while also learning how they might translate into helping humans lead better lives.

Construction of the institute is expected to be complete in fall 2018.

At a glance

C. Wayne McIlwraith Translational Medicine Institute

Location: CSU South Campus, between Diagnostic Medical Center and Orthopaedic Research Center

Construction budget: $65 million

Funding sources: $42.5 million gift from John and Leslie Malone; $20 million gift from Princess Abigail Kawananakoa of Hawaii; additional state and CSU support

Anticipated completion: Fall 2018