A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon Hall will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, inside the newest addition to Missouri Southern State University’s campus.
A little more than two years after breaking ground, the $8.1 million dollar facility was up and running for the beginning of the Spring 2019 semester just as planned.
“It was a long road,” said Dr. Kerry Johnson, chair of the Mathematics Department. “We did the Reynolds (renovation) part first and then we built this brand new facility from scratch. We are very, very pleased with the way it’s turned out.”
Named for the former Missouri governor, Nixon Hall is the new home for the university’s mathematics program and features classrooms, faculty offices, a computer lab and mathematically-themed interior design elements. It also includes a three-story atrium and a skywalk that connects the facility to the second floor of Reynolds Hall – something that makes the trip back and forth more expedient for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students.
“We are very grateful and deeply honored to have this building bear the name of Jeremiah ‘Jay’ Nixon,” said Dr. Alan Marble, president of Missouri Southern. “The opening marks the conclusion of a dramatic and desperately needed facilities expansion to meet the exploding student demand for STEM classes.”
“While in office, Gov. Nixon, along with Sen. Ron Richard, recognized this need and found a way to piece together funding for the construction of this dynamic new learning space. Without their unwavering support, this new facility would have remained only a dream, but it is now open and serving students.”
Speakers at the dedication ceremony will include Nixon, Richard, Marble and Johnson.
Light refreshments will be served. Those in attendance will also be able to tour the facility.