Plans are underway to begin the initial stages of renovation for the Bridwell Activities Center as early as Sept. 1. The MSU Texas Board of Regents authorized the administration to move forward with the $5 million project at its August 6 meeting. The current Daniel building will be renovated into a lively campus center for students that will provide more space for meetings, chapter rooms, and collaboration. The Bridwell Activities Center will complement the Clark Student Center and provide an enhanced student-focused experience on campus. These changes align with the University’s strategic plan of creating a destination residential living experience.

The Activities Center will function in multiple ways, according to Keith Lamb, Vice President for Student Affairs. “The Bridwell Activities Center and Cannedy Greek Commons will initially fill three roles: (1) a space for our Greek community, including larger and more functional chapter rooms; (2) new space for Student Government Association, Student Leadership and Involvement, and for student organizations; and (3) it will free up space in the Clark Student Center for MOSAIC and additional student and meeting space,” he said. Long-term plans for the facility include adding a dining auxiliary and a 150-seat theater. 

Shelbi Stogdill, Student Government Association President, said, “I am personally looking forward to the new offices for organizations on campus, and having more rooms and spaces for their events and meetings. I believe it will promote even more active student organizations on campus. I think the students will love to have a new space.”

Lamb said these changes were made with students in mind. With a growing residential campus he said it is important to prioritize student life. “The Clark Student Center was last renovated when MSU had 850 on-campus beds,” he said. “With a residential population of around 1,700 students today, additional space for student life is necessary. The Greek community will realize much needed space, student organizations will have additional working space, and the student body will benefit from additional student space and meeting rooms. The functionality of the additional space will allow MSU to meet the space needs of Greek life and student organizations for years to come.”

Some students eagerly anticipate the opening of the new activity center and look forward to how the center will improve student life. Thalia Doe, a mass communication junior, said, “With the student population increasing, I believe it is better late than never. This provides a better opportunity for fraternities and sororities to get better incorporated and involved with student life on campus.”

To make way for the Bridwell Activities Center many operations that previously functioned through the Daniel building had to be relocated. Kyle Owen, Associate Vice President for Facilities Services, outlined the process. “It did take significant planning to clear the Daniel Building for the BAC. A new shop building had to be erected for the four facilities services shops that used to inhabit Daniel to create a space for the new shops building itself.”

In addition, he said the Facilities Services administration office was relocated to the first floor of Bridwell, as part of the renovation work for the College of Education. And lastly, Purchasing offices and the warehouse were relocated to a new building at 2733 Midwestern Parkway.

Funding for the first phase of the renovations is made possible through the generosity of the J.S. Bridwell Foundation. The leadership gift is part of the seven-year, $50 million Campaign for MSU Texas, and promotes the campaign values of enriching the lives of students, enhancing teaching and learning, and investing in the university campus and community.