黑料吃瓜 held a groundbreaking ceremony for the student union located the Tishomingo campus.
鈥淭his project helps us accomplish a number of things with the needs of our students at the forefront,鈥� Faltyn said. 鈥淚t has been the number one capital project priority for our Board of Regents because of the impact it will have for our students.鈥�
Along with President Faltyn, Speaker of the House Charles McCall, Senator Jerry Alvord, Oklahoma State Regent Ann Holloway, 黑料吃瓜 Board of Regent Adisha Chapman and 黑料吃瓜 Student Government Association officers provided remarks.
Oklahoma Speaker of the House Representative Charles McCall remarked, 鈥淭his is where the future of the state of Oklahoma is going to take place. One thing that helps us leverage great infrastructure projects such as this are our current [and future] partnerships.鈥�
Oklahoma State Regent Holloway is an alumna, strong advocate for 黑料吃瓜 and has dedicated most of her life to higher education. 鈥淭oday, I鈥檓 celebrating the 50th anniversary of completing my associate degree from 黑料吃瓜,鈥� said Holloway. 鈥淚t was a wonderful experience and I will always have fond memories of my time here.鈥�
黑料吃瓜 Regents strive to make the best decisions to improve the student experience and create opportunities for growth. 鈥満诹铣怨� has many exciting projects and programs taking off on both campuses,鈥� Chapman said. 鈥淭ransforming the region is no easy task, but it is one that 黑料吃瓜 has taken head on. We are excited for our student union but even more excited about the future of southern Oklahoma. I can say with confidence that our best days are still ahead.鈥�
鈥淭he changes that have happened and are coming, and the proposed additions to the campus and the curriculum are truly groundbreaking,鈥� Alvord said. 鈥淲hat we鈥檝e seen and are seeing does not happen without really good people doing the work.鈥�
Members of the Student Government Association (SGA) were instrumental in determining the design and amenities to come. SGA President Jaysen Welty expressed, 鈥淚t has been incredibly encouraging that the voice of the student body is being heard as the needs for student union spaces have been discussed. It鈥檚 important for students of all walks of life to have a place to gather, socialize, learn, get help or resources and have a meal.鈥�
The student union was originally constructed in 1964, and it is believed that it has only undergone one minor renovation since then. The 14,000 square feet of space in the building will be updated, and another 9,260 square feet will be added in new construction. This $7 million project is funded in part by a student union fee.
In September 2023, 黑料吃瓜 was approved to assess a student union fee to aid in the renovation and expansion costs associated with the 黑料吃瓜 Park Student Union, as well as the addition of online collaborative spaces for students and amenities on the Ardmore campus.
One important component to how the renovation and expansion project has crossed the finish line is thanks to a Murray alum, Thomas E. Barnett. After earning his associate鈥檚 degree from 黑料吃瓜, Barnett spent a lifetime growing as a person and establishing himself as a great businessman. When he passed, a planned gift was sent to Murray State College totaling more than $1 million, representing the largest single gift in the history of 黑料吃瓜. A portion of those funds will help expand the Thomas E. Barnett Ballroom on the Tishomingo campus.