MSU-WP announces new building names, office relocations beginning this fall

Students returning to Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) this fall will notice several changes on campus. Several buildings have new names, and some offices have been relocated.

 

"Just as with most things in life, growing pains result in change, and it's no different for us," said Chancellor Dennis Lancaster. "The addition of new buildings to our footprint and new programs to our offerings have opened up space for growth, thus we've rearranged the location of some offices and programs and renamed some of the buildings in which they're housed to better reflect their current uses."

 

Buildings that have been renamed include:

- Putnam Student Center to Putnam Hall

- Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center to Lybyer Hall

- Grizzly House to Champion Hall

 

"Putnam Student Center used to serve as our cafeteria and a gathering place for our students. Since we now have the Carol Silvey Student Union in Hass-Darr Hall and the Grizzly Bite cafeteria at the J.W. Phillips Grizzly Lofts, Putnam is being re-purposed for our instrumental music program. Putnam Hall reflects its change to an academic facility."

 

The same goes for Lybyer Enhanced Technology Center, he added. Many of the technology programs that were once housed in Lybyer have moved to the Pace Industrial Science Center, so the term "Enhanced Technology" no longer fits its primary purpose, the chancellor explained.

 

The decision to move all residential students to the Grizzly Lofts opened up the Grizzly House for a new purpose and a new name. The facility is now known as Champion Hall and will house the offices of Athletic Director Rachel Peterson and coaches for the baseball, softball and rodeo teams. Basketball, volleyball and the Grizzly Cheer Team will remain at the West Plains Civic Center, Peterson said.

 

"I believe Champion Hall will bring the downtown side of campus back to life," she added. "We have big plans for the facility in the future, but for now we're just excited to create a space for student-athletes, recruits and coaches."

 

Champion Hall also will serve as the new home of the Grizzly eSports team. This past year, the team took up residence in Garfield Hall just north of the Student Recreation Center. The move to the third floor of Champion Hall will give the program room to grow, according to Dr. Michael Orf, vice chancellor for academic affairs and a faculty sponsor of the team.

 

"The esports team has grown quickly since its inception and we expect more growth in the next few years," Orf said. "While Garfield Hall was a great place to start the program, the team has outgrown the space. The move to Champion Hall will allow the team to continue to grow both in number of students and in number of game titles in which they compete."

 

Adapting to these changes may take a while, but Lancaster said the end result will be a better experience for all.

 

"These are good problems to have," the chancellor said. "They reflect a vital and thriving campus that's ready to help students achieve their goals and dreams for better future."