Potter Hall, Hearnes Center undergoing renovation this year

Nov. 1, 2024-Missouri Western State University is updating two of the oldest buildings on campus to provide modern spaces for learning and collaboration. The Board of Governors recently approved construction contracts to renovate Potter Hall and the Hearnes Center.

"The projects will provide inspiring and dynamic gathering and learning spaces for students," said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western's president. "Both projects will help our faculty and staff better support hands-on, collaborative learning and student success."

Construction on both projects will take place this school year, with completion expected in 2025.

Digital Solutions for a Modern Missouri: Improving Potter Hall

Missouri Western received a MoExcels grant of approximately $1.2 million to improve the Dr. Thompson E. Potter Fine Arts Center (Potter Hall), which opened in February 1971 and is the home of Missouri Western's School of Fine Arts. The renovation will enable Missouri Western to provide cutting-edge training to the digital content specialists that play a critical role in business, industry, healthcare, education, nonprofits and the government.

The project will include five new or renovated areas:

• Collaboration space
• Multipurpose classroom
• Digital animation suite
• Graphic design suite
• Griffon Production House space

In addition to the state appropriation, the project is supported by an equivalent amount of private funding, including a $1 million gift from Drew Brown and a $100,000 gift from Tom Richmond. The art gallery in Potter Hall was renamed the Drew Brown Art Gallery earlier this year in recognition of his gift, and the new collaboration space will be named in honor of George Richmond, Tom's father, a longtime faculty member and administrator at Missouri Western.

The board approved a bid of $517,000 plus a 10 percent contingency from Lee Grover Construction of St. Joseph. Additional construction work will be done by Missouri Western staff. Funding has also been set aside to purchase equipment identical to what students will use in industry after they graduate.

Student Success Hub, Hearnes Center Library

Missouri Western received $2.5 million in ARPA funding to create the Griffon Student Success Hub on the main level of the Missouri Western Library in the Hearnes Center, one of the original three buildings on campus. The project will maintain the library at the intellectual center of campus life, providing a welcoming inspirational atmosphere where students can come together.

The Hub will also house a model classroom for teacher preparation and pedagogical research.

Its design will also improve student access to tutoring, student success services and information technology support, strengthening the University's capacity to serve first-generation, non-traditional students.

The board approved a construction bid of approximately $1.9 million plus a 10 percent contingency from Lehr Construction of St. Joseph.

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.