(KTTS News) – Temple Hall on the Missouri State University campus is now known as Roy Blunt Hall.
MSU’s Board of Governors approved renaming the building on Thursday.
“This renaming serves as recognition of U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt’s staunch support of higher education and MSU, as well as for research in health and life sciences,” MSU President Clif Smart said.
Temple Hall was named after Allen Temple. He served as head of the university’s science department for nearly 40 years in the early 1900s.
MSU will hold a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the addition and renovation to the newly renamed Roy Blunt Hall at 4 p.m. Friday.
Gov. Mike Parson will attend the event.
The expansion project includes two phases: adding 77,000 additional square feet and then renovating portions of the existing 126,000 square feet. Phase one is expected to cost $80 million and should be completed in fall 2024.
The addition will include:
- Modern and well-equipped labs.
- Office suites for departments housed in the building (biology; geography, geology and planning; and chemistry and biochemistry).
- Office space for graduate students.
- Collaboration space for students and faculty.
