With $28m facelift, new wing, M&S expects to soar

By Aubrie Lawrence

 

Excited. Anxious. Overwhelmed. Grateful. 

Those are among the emotions math and science faculty and students said they felt when they heard Nebraska State Senators the renovation and addition of Chadron State College’s Math Science building was officially a reality thanks to the recently approved budget by Nebraska State Senators and Gov. Pete Ricketts. 

A May 30 press release from the Nebraska State College System office notes that included in the state’s budget is the bond repayment for CSC’s $28.5 million project to renovate and expand the Math Science Building. As part of the funding package, $4.525 million is required for the capital project, and the college and Chadron State Foundation are partnering to secure that funding. Foundation CEO Ben Watson, said Monday that the foundation has already secured more than $1.6 million and is working to secure additional funds through its Next Horizon campaign. 

Robert Stack, mathematics professor and chair of the natural sciences and mathematics department, admitted he was skeptical about whether the project would fly when it was in its infancy. But now that it’s a reality, his view has changed.  

“This is the most significant renovation of an academic building on the campus. 

It’s an unbelievable addition, not only for Chadron State College, but for the entire region,” Stack said. “The level of excitement among the faculty in the building is off the charts.”

Geo-science Professor Michael Leite, who also leads the department’s annual Geology Field Camp, said he, too, was pleased to hear funding was approved.

 “It’s about time,” Leite said. “Those of us who do research here and have collections are really happy to see these changes happen and make our work a lot easier.”

Joyce Hardy, physical and life science professor, said she was excited but anxious about the project.

“I have anxiety about the building being as functional as we need it, because I know we can work with the current building, although not perfectly,” Hardy said. “I have anxiety about being out of the building for a year or a year and a half and how I still can continue to teach my students, and teach them well. I mourn the loss of our atrium because that is a fire hazard and it will go away. 

“But I am really excited to see what opportunities active-learning classrooms and laboratories (have) that are more conducive to the way students currently learn. Those opportunities will be exciting,” Hardy said.

Faculty aren’t the only ones happy about the new building.

“I am really excited for not only the math and science department, but the entire school as well,” said senior geoscience major Gasper Dominici of Denver. “I think the building needs to have a lot more pizzazz, so as soon as you walk in you’re like, ‘wow this is cool, this is math and science.’’’

“I think it’s great,” said senior Chance Adolf of Papillion, also a geoscience major. “I think the Math and Science Building really deserves it.”

Although the project has been in the works since 2013, planning began in earnest after it was formally approved at the Board of Trustees’ June meeting, CSC President Randy Rhine said Monday.  He added that a construction manager will be selected later this month and will begin working on construction documents with the architect and consultants.  He said construction is expected to begin in spring 2020 and last roughly 18 to 24 months.

In the May 30 press release, Rhine expressed gratitude for all who worked to approve the project. 

“Chadron State College is grateful to the state senators, appropriations committee, and Gov. (Pete) Ricketts for their support of this project and putting us in the position to benefit our students and western Nebraska,” Rhine said. “This project will allow Chadron State College to prepare healthcare professionals and teachers who will continue to live in our communities and give back through their service and careers. This project is also significant for western Nebraska, and I’m excited to see how far-reaching its impact will be.”

The release also stated that the Math Science Building has long been the top construction project for the Nebraska State College System Board of Trustees. The project calls for the renovation of the existing east and west wings, while adding a north wing.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Chadron State College, and our students, I would like to express our gratitude to the (Nebraska) Legislature for their continued support of higher education and the Nebraska State Colleges,” NSCS Board Chairman Gary Bieganski said in the May 30 release. “In recent years, more than 10 state senators and Gov. Ricketts have toured the facility and saw the need and prioritized the Math Science Building renovation to move forward.”

In the same press release, NSCS Chancellor Paul Turman concurred with Bieganski. 

“Gov. Ricketts, the Appropriations Committee, and the entire Legislature understood the need for the renovation of the Math Science Building as well as the return on investment that the project will provide to the state and region,” Turman said. “This investment will place Chadron State College and its students on the cutting edge of learning and technology while maintaining the College’s affordability and accessibility.”

The release also stated that the Math Science project has received widespread support in the region with more than 40 organizations, including school districts, city governments, hospitals, and employers in western Nebraska endorsing it.

Rhine also said the project will have a positive effect on western Nebraska and CSC’s current and future students.   

“Chadron State College is grateful to everyone who has joined this project as donors and pledged their support,” Rhine said.