MSU announces major gifts totaling $9.9 million for science, math, and engineering
Midwestern State University has received $9.9 million for its College of Science and Mathematics. This funding includes personal gifts from Vicki and Jim McCoy and major grants from the McCoy Foundation, the Bridwell Foundation, and The Priddy Foundation.
The College of Science and Mathematics is composed of six departments (biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics, and physics) and one school (the McCoy School of Engineering). According to Dr. Betty Stewart, Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, many faculty and teaching laboratories and some research laboratories are housed in Bolin Science Hall, while three small buildings currently house the McCoy School of Engineering, its faculty offices, and laboratories. Dr. Stewart states that there is currently a shortage of office, laboratory, and research-teaching space for all of the departments, along with the need to upgrade equipment.
The project, scheduled to begin in the fall 2007, will include a $7.2 million reconstruction and re-configuration of Fowler Hall, which previously housed the College of Business Administration. Upon completion, this building will be named the McCoy Engineering Hall and will contain modern offices, classrooms, and laboratories for engineering and physics. Bolin Science Hall will then be renovated to provide better space for faculty offices and laboratories. Funding in the amount of $900,000 will purchase much-needed natural science and engineering equipment. Finally, a $1 million endowment will be established for the natural sciences to provide basic support for advanced undergraduate and graduate laboratory experimentation. According to University President Dr. Jesse Rogers, "The cost of supplies and teaching and research equipment has escalated dramatically in the past five years. In order to teach the most rigorous curriculum and expose our students to the most modern equipment and the rigors of theoretical and experimental research, we must create more space, find more research support, and provide well-equipped laboratories for this college of the university."
"I am most appreciative of the generous gifts from our donors," added Dr. Stewart. "As we prepare our students for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics careers in the 21st century, the very finest laboratory facilities and equipment are essential for our faculty to engage in innovative teaching and collaborative research with our students."