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You are here: Home / Multimedia / Photo Galleries / Gallery: NEXT Lab holds grand opening, Unveiling a state-of-the-art research facility
Alli Mae Berry, NEXT Lab Research Chemist, talks with group of visitors at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)

Gallery: NEXT Lab holds grand opening, Unveiling a state-of-the-art research facility

September 1, 2023 by Sarah Thompson

The Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory, or NEXT Lab, held its grand opening of the Dillard Science and Engineering Research Center on Friday afternoon. This exciting new development is dedicated to meeting the needs of the world in water, energy, and medical isotopes. The NEXT Lab opened its doors as members of the lab answered questions and presented display boards and diagrams to visitors.

Diego Zometa, NEXT Lab Research Chemist, chats with attendees at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Dr. Rusty Towell, Director of NEXT Lab and Professor of the Department of Engineering and Physics, talks with visitors at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Visitors stop by the Founders Lobby in the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)

Bicky Tolar, NEXT Lab Executive Assistant, greets visitors in the Founders Lobby at the NEXT lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Henry Beiro, NEXT Lab Quality Assurance Manager, talks with visitors at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Attendees chat with each other in the Founders Lobby at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)

ack Shoemate, NEXT Lab Chief Engineer, talks with a group of visitors in front of the modern salt research reactor diagram at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Jack Shoemate, NEXT Lab Chief Engineer, talks with a group of visitors in front of the modern salt research reactor diagram. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)
Sam Lopez, NEXT Lab Research Engineer, presents to visitors at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)

Alli Mae Berry, NEXT Lab Research Chemist, talks with group of visitors at the NEXT Lab grand opening. (Photo by Sarah Eunyoung Thompson)

Filed Under: Multimedia, Photo Galleries Tagged With: NEXT Lab, Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Laboratory, science, STEM

Other Multimedia:

  • Gallery: Ko Jo Kai, Trojans take first place in 70th annual intramural rodeo

  • Gallery: Softball falls to UNT in home game

  • Gallery: FilmFest 2026 celebrates student filmmakers at annual showcase

About Sarah Thompson

You are here: Home / Multimedia / Photo Galleries / Gallery: NEXT Lab holds grand opening, Unveiling a state-of-the-art research facility

Other Multimedia:

  • Gallery: Ko Jo Kai, Trojans take first place in 70th annual intramural rodeo

  • Gallery: Softball falls to UNT in home game

  • Gallery: FilmFest 2026 celebrates student filmmakers at annual showcase

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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Class Division:

Overall Award:
1. Mixed
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acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
29 Mar

Sing Song 2026 Awards Women’s Division:

Overall Award:
1. Ko Jo Kai
2. Sigma Theta Chi
3. Tri Kappa Gamma

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20 hours ago

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Ko Jo Kai and Trojans took first place at the 70th annual intramural rodeo on Thursday at the Taylor Telecom Arena. The event led by the Agricultural and Environmental Sciences club, allowed students to participate in various rodeo events such as steer riding, cow sorting and double mugging.Below are the overall results:First place, Men’s Division: TrojansFirst place, Women’s Division: Ko Jo KaiRodeo King: Hudson Delleney, TrojansRodeo Queen: Hailey Pasley, Zeta Phi AlphaRoughie: Addie KellTo view the full photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. 📸: Ashley Henderson #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #news #acurodeo ... See MoreSee Less

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The Optimist

3 days ago

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The student-created film, Courting, won best picture at the 22nd annual FilmFest Awards Gala on Friday. Students received awards in eleven individual categories and two overall film categories. To read more about the winners and to view the photo gallery, visit acuoptimist.com or click the link in our bio. 📝: Ashley Henderson 📸: Callie Brimberry #acuoptimist #abilenechristianuniversity #news #acufilmfest ... See MoreSee Less

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