On March 6, EARTH University and the Oduber Elliott family celebrated the 20th anniversary of the donation of La Flor to EARTH University. The 3,700-acre property is located next the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia, Guanacaste. The commemoration brought together nearly 50 guests connected to the history of the Oduber family and the University, including members of the University Boards.
Among the highlights of the event was the unveiling of the official name of the academic campus within the property as Campus Daniel Oduber Quirós. An exhibition was inaugurated on the personal and political life of President Daniel Oduber, featuring various personal artifacts. The event also featured a panel led by his daughter, Anna María Oduber Elliott, discussing the legacy of Daniel Oduber and his wife, Marjorie Elliott. The day concluded with a commemorative dinner with guests.
Since its donation in 2004, this campus has complemented the academic training of our students, providing an educational setting in the dry tropical region that enriches their education through the “learning by doing” methodology. In contrast to the Guácimo Campus, located in the humid tropical region of Limón province, the campus in Guanacaste allows students to acquire knowledge about different types of crops, climatic conditions, and soil types typical to dry tropical areas. Furthermore, La Flor is being developed as a center for technology and innovation. It currently houses two prestigious organizations: Ad Astra, founded by former Costa Rican astronaut and EARTH University Board member, Franklin Chang-Díaz, dedicated to clean energy research and aerospace technology, and ACIB-FUNIN, a leader in scientific and health research.
The commemorative exhibition highlighted various aspects of the life and career of Daniel Oduber Quirós, who served as President of Costa Rica from 1974 to 1978. Among the items on display were awards from governments, monarchies, universities, and producer organizations, recognizing his social, cultural, and environmental contributions. The exhibit also featured his academic diplomas, clothing representative of his life in Guanacaste, information about his relationship with his wife, Marjorie Elliott, with whom he shared a love of reading, and who contributed to the establishment of libraries across the country.
During the panel, moderated by EARTH University’s President, Arturo Condo, Anna María Oduber shared details about her parents’ achievements, their commitment to education, environmental protection, and agricultural development, and how these convictions motivated them to donate La Flor to EARTH University.
At the time they owned La Flor, the Oduber Elliott family experimented with mango, avocado, lime, and sugarcane crops, in addition to engaging in livestock activities. The donation has allowed EARTH to continue that legacy of agricultural research and education. Furthermore, the family established a scholarship fund for EARTH students, benefiting numerous young individuals from Guanacaste committed to sustainable development.
Alan Kelso, Chair of the University Board of Directors and the EARTH University Trust Board of Trustees, emphasized: “President Daniel Oduber’s true legacy is his vision of a prosperous and inclusive future. At EARTH, we educate leaders committed to sustainability and social justice, who will knowledgeably confront the challenges of food security and climate change.”
With this anniversary, EARTH University and the Oduber Elliott family reaffirm their commitment to education, sustainability, and innovation, ensuring that Campus Daniel Oduber Quirós continues to be a reference for learning and agricultural progress.