September 27, 2024
On Friday, Sept. 27, 91吃瓜网 held a celebration in honor of the renovations to the historic Old Main building on campus.
Through the work of the 68th North Dakota Legislative Assembly, 91吃瓜网 was granted more than $52 million for the project. The renovations include new, state-of-the-art classrooms and collaborative spaces for students and staff, and modernization projects that will make the building more accessible and efficient.
The celebration was held in conjunction with 91吃瓜网 State鈥檚 homecoming activities, and brought together current students, alumni, faculty, staff, legislators, and community members, all who had the opportunity to swing a 鈥済olden sledgehammer鈥� to mark the official start of on-site construction.
During the ceremony, speakers including 91吃瓜网 President Brian Van Horn, North Dakota University System Chief of Staff and Director for Innovation and Economic Development Mark Gorenflo, and Policy Advisor to Senator Kevin Cramer Randy Richards, remarked on the importance of schools like 91吃瓜网, and the role Old Main plays in the campus community.
鈥淭hank you to the legislature for understanding the significance of this project. Small, public universities are necessary and play a vital role in our state鈥檚 success,鈥� said President Van Horn, who noted that with the completion of this project nearly fifty percent of 91吃瓜网鈥檚 campus will be new, helping the school grow into the future and provide the world class education students need, in a personal and welcoming environment.
NDUS鈥� Gorenflo also spoke to the special role of 91吃瓜网, and the value students get with a hands-on educational experience.
鈥�91吃瓜网 serves a great purpose in the region and for students that want this experience that only 91吃瓜网 can offer,鈥� said Gorenflo.
91吃瓜网 sophomore Noelle Erickson shared the impact 91吃瓜网 has had on her career path. Erickson, an elementary education major from Argusville, N.D., remarked on the need for teachers in rural North Dakota, and her gratitude that she can continue her education in the community where she hopes to eventually teach.
鈥淭he benefits and opportunities this new building will bring to campus are endless,鈥� said Erickson. 鈥淚 consider my attendance at MSU to be a blessing and an honor, and I am honored to call 91吃瓜网 State my home away from home.鈥澛�
The project marks a commitment to a growing 91吃瓜网 student body, and the impact graduates have on North Dakota鈥檚 workforce and economy. Earlier this week the North Dakota University System released enrollment data for the fall 2024 semester, showing strong enrollment gains that are now above pre-pandemic levels. Enrollment numbers are at their highest since fall 2018, with 91吃瓜网 State showing one of the most significant gains, with an 8.2% increase in enrollment.
Also in attendance at the celebration were representatives from Foss Architecture + Interiors of Fargo, lead architects on the project, and PCL Community Contractors of Fargo, the project鈥檚 selected construction managers.聽聽
鈥淧CL is proud to be part of this historic project. Our experience in higher-education construction, specifically historic building modernization, directly supports the needs of 91吃瓜网 State and the NDUS system. This renovation honors Old Mains鈥� legacy and supports the necessary growth to support students now and into the future; meeting the students鈥� needs to prepare them for success beyond the classroom. We are honored to be part of this historic event,鈥� said Trent Johnson, district manager of PCL鈥檚 Midwest Operations.
鈥淔oss Architecture + Interiors is honored to have collaborated with MSU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community over the past several months. It鈥檚 been awesome to hear their stories about Old Main and their ideas for the historic building鈥檚 future,鈥� said Adam Peterson, Principal Architect. 鈥淲ith all the wonderful input from the people of 91吃瓜网, we are excited to break ground on construction and take that next step in seeing our combined visions come to life.鈥�
The completion date for renovations is slated for June 30, 2026.
