Missouri State University Capital Priorities
Center for Transformational Education for Life, Physical and Health Sciences (Phase 2)
MSU’s enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has more than doubled in the last 50 years.
In 1994, to accommodate this growth, the university created the McQueary College of Health and Human Services. This college houses programs that train health-care practitioners.
The College of Natural and Applied Sciences houses academic and research programs in health and life sciences, such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, astronomy, materials science, geography, geology, mathematics, computer science and related fields.
Combined, these two colleges enroll more than 6,000 students.
Despite this growth, substantial portions of MSU’s original STEM, health and life-science facilities have remained mostly unaltered for decades. These facilities no longer meet modern scientific and technological needs for workforce training, education and research.
MSU proposes to expand and renovate these academic buildings on campus and establish the Center for Transformational Education for Life, Physical and Health Sciences.
Phase 1 was funded last year
MSU received $80 million in combined funding last year to begin construction on Phase 1 of the center. We broke ground in December 2022. The university is grateful for the state’s investment of $30 million and the federal investment of $50 million for the first phase of this project.
Phase 1 will lead to the construction of a 76,000-square-foot addition to Blunt Hall (formerly known as Temple Hall). This addition will primarily consist of state-of-the-art science labs for research, teaching and training.
MSU respectfully requests funding for Phase 2
To complete the next phase of the Center for Transformational Education for Life, Physical and Health Sciences, MSU seeks an additional $35 million in state funds. MSU will match that with $35 million obtained through federal appropriations, private contributions and university reserves. Phase 2 will primarily consist of renovations to existing spaces in Blunt Hall, Cheek Hall and/or Kampeter Hall.
Blunt Hall was built in 1971 and has not been substantially remodeled since it was constructed. Approximately 1,100 students each year major in biology, chemistry, geography, geology and planning — the academic departments housed in Blunt Hall. More than 9,000 students take labs, organic chemistry or first-year courses in the facility.
Cheek Hall was originally constructed in 1955. The building was renovated piecemeal in the 1980s, and it has not been substantially remodeled since that time. Approximately 600 students each year major in computer science and mathematics — the academic departments housed in Cheek Hall. More than 3,500 students take math and other general education classes in Cheek Hall each year.
Kampeter Hall was originally constructed in 1947 and purchased by MSU in 1985. Portions of the facility have been renovated in a piecemeal fashion since 1985. Kampeter Hall houses programs in biomedical sciences, communication sciences and disorders, nursing and sports medicine. MSU proposes to renovate existing space in Kampeter Hall to construct and equip a biomedical sciences lab.
The total cost for Phase 2 of the project is $70 million. Missouri State University respectfully requests a one-time capital appropriation of $35 million to partially fund the second phase of this project.