As we approach the switch to daylight saving time this weekend, I find myself with a little more daylight in the afternoon and evenings. This allows me to take some time to observe what is and isn’t going on with current construction projects as I walk to meetings and events around campus.

Two projects come to mind because of their prominence on campus.

The Grand Avenue underground pedestrian crosswalk

This is a project that has been plagued by COVID-related supply chain delays, Missouri bedrock removal delays, ancient utilities to nowhere delays and then back to supply chain delays. At this point, I don’t think it would surprise Matt Morris, vice president for administrative services, if the crew returned with the discovery of a woolly mammoth.  But, of course, I jest.

According to Matt, we are nearing the finish line on this project. He is projecting everything will reopen in May. The underground pedestrian walkway will be completely accessible with a ramp from parking lots 22 and 24 on the south side and an elevator on the north side of Grand.

I’m excited for our students, faculty and staff, many of whom use this crosswalk on a daily basis.  Additionally, football fans, Tent Theatre attendees and many other visitors to campus will be able to enter campus via this safe, accessible and well-lit Grand entrance (pun intended).

Blunt Hall construction

We were thrilled to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the newly named Roy Blunt Hall (formerly Temple Hall) on Dec. 16, 2022. The plan was to move through the disruptive teardown and excavation work over winter break. However, the federal funding included several additional prerequisites that have required us to pause and address before starting construction.

Blunt Hall was built in 1971, which means it’s over 50 years old. This also means it’s eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic places. Due to the age of the building, its original condition and significant Brutalist architectural style, the original building has been deemed historically significant by the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office.

Consequently, we have been working with federal and state agencies to gain approval of the building addition. We are near an agreement with these agencies and are looking to finalize by the end of March.

If all goes well, the disruptive portion of construction will begin following spring commencement. In the meantime, the crews are completing prep work in and around the building to provide easier maneuvering and safe conditions (new sidewalks, construction entrances, etc.).

It is expected that construction on Blunt Hall will complete in spring 2025.

As I have noted in earlier columns, the remodeling and addition to Blunt Hall was a project that was sorely needed yet seemed completely out of reach given the funding required to bring it to fruition. It’s an exciting project and will be well worth the disruptions on campus. I look forward to observing the evolution of the new addition as I walk around campus over the coming months.

Speaking of looking forward – don’t forget to set your clocks ahead one hour this weekend!

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

Last week the Board of Governors approved a resolution renaming our main science building on campus (formerly known as Temple Hall) Roy Blunt Hall.

We also broke ground on the $80 million addition and renovation of the facility.

Blunt supports education and research

Sen. Roy Blunt has worked tirelessly in support of education, science and research on a national level.

He continuously demonstrated his high regard for higher education and its importance in today’s landscape. As the chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Sen. Blunt championed funding increases for:

• STEM and computer science education.
• Apprenticeship programs.
• TRIO.
• And the Pell Grant program (including year-round Pell).

His legacy in Washington D.C. will undoubtedly be connected to his championing research in health and life sciences. Through his leadership role in Senate appropriations, Sen. Blunt:

• Oversaw an increase in the budget for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) each year for seven years straight.
• Added $15 billion to the NIH budget — an almost 50% increase.
• Quintupled (5x) Alzheimer’s research funding, increasing federal investment by $2.5 billion.

Because of this support, the NIH recently named their Alzheimer’s research facility after Sen. Blunt.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to attend the dedication. Leaders from all over the world and from across the political spectrum attended and honored him. Democratic and Republican senators alike feted Sen. Blunt’s ardent support for research and the sciences.

NIH prepared a video summarizing remarks made at the ceremony. I encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it.

Blunt has continually supported MSU

Sen. Blunt’s legacy in Missouri will be connected to his support for Missouri State University.

Throughout his time in public office, Sen. Blunt has demonstrated extraordinary support for Missouri State University by advocating for significant federal investment in Missouri State’s academic and research missions and economic development operations.

That work culminated last year when he led efforts to appropriate more than $56 million to support health, life and physical science research, teaching, and facilities at MSU.

From that $56 million:

• $3 million established an endowment to support CNAS faculty and research.
• $50 million will finance the bulk of the work we started last week to reinvigorate the facility previously known as Temple Hall.

He’s not done yet. Sen. Blunt continues to work during his last weeks in the Senate for the appropriation of additional federal funds to further support CNAS facilities, faculty and research. I hope to be able to update you on that work very soon.

It is because of Sen. Blunt’s support for MSU and his support for science and research that the board voted to rename our primary science facility on campus Roy Blunt Hall.

Honoring Temple’s legacy

The facility was previously named after Mr. Allen P. Temple, and it is important that we continue Mr. Temple’s legacy.

Mr. Temple was the head of the university’s science department for nearly 40 years in the early 1900s. He was a pioneer in the field.

He was well-known as an enthusiast for advances in communications technology.

• He was the first faculty member at MSU to use technological visual aids (e.g., slides, films, etc.) to assist his teaching in the classroom.
• He was the driving force behind the university obtaining and using a wireless radio transmitter and receiver and establishing an AM radio station on campus that was operated by science faculty and students more than 50 years before KSMU came to campus.
• He was also a pioneer with video technology, producing a documentary film called “College Life in the Ozarks” and showing various films in the college auditorium.

Mr. Temple will continue to be honored with a prominent display in the atrium of the current building. We will also name the atrium after Mr. Temple.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!