Renovation, expansion of Bolin Science Hall underway
Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking today for the much-anticipated renovations and expansion of Bolin Science Hall. Texas Tech University System Board of Regents and administrators and Texas legislators joined MSU Texas officials and members of the James N. McCoy Foundation to celebrate the occasion.
Much of the funding for the renovation and expansion of the 60-year-old facility is the result of the 88th Texas Legislature’s approval of Senate Bill 52, in which MSU Texas was approved to begin renovation, expansion and infrastructure projects totaling $44.9 million. The projects were part of legislation authorizing the issuance of $3.3 billion worth of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at Texas higher education institutions.
“Today we celebrate the beginning of the Bolin Science Hall project made possible by the efforts of our local elected officials Sen. Charles Perry, Sen. Drew Springer and Rep. James Frank and the McCoy family – all who are champions for MSU Texas and higher education,” said Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., chancellor of the TTU System.
The initial source of funding was secured in February 2018 when Jim and Vicki McCoy pledged $5 million through the James N. McCoy Foundation toward a renovation and expansion project.
Later the same year, the College of Science and Mathematics was renamed and dedicated the McCoy College of Science, Mathematics & Engineering in honor of the couple’s extraordinary generosity and investment to the college and engineering program.
“These remarkable investments to MSU Texas will advance our student access and success, academic and research excellence, and campus construction projects that align with our mission,” said MSU Texas President Stacia Haynie.
Constructed in the 1960s, Bolin Science Hall was partially updated in 1997. The current project modernizes lecture halls, classrooms, conference rooms and offices as well as technology enhancements and life-safety improvements.
“Over the past 20 years our spaces in Bolin Science Hall have become some of the most utilized on campus,” said Marcy Brown Marsden, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This transformation will allow us the needed spaces and resources to recruit students to MSU Texas and significantly enhance our ability to offer a modern facility for students to learn, conduct research, and collaborate.”
Renovations are scheduled to be completed Fall 2025.