Dedication, ribbon cutting planned for Nixon Hall

A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Jeremiah “Jay” Nixon Hall will be held on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 2:30 p.m. inside the newest addition to the campus of Missouri Southern State University.

A little more than two years after breaking ground, the $8.1 million facility is up and running, as planned, for the beginning of the Spring 2019 semester.

Named for the former Missouri governor, Nixon Hall is the new home for the university’s mathematics program and features classrooms, faculty offices, a computer lab and mathematically-themed interior design elements. It also includes a three-story atrium and a skywalk that connects the facility to the second floor of Reynolds Hall – something that makes the trip back and forth more expedient for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students.

“We are very grateful and deeply honored to have this building bear the name of Jeremiah ‘Jay’ Nixon,” said Dr. Alan Marble, president of Missouri Southern. “The opening marks the conclusion of a dramatic and desperately needed facilities expansion to meet the exploding student demand for STEM classes.”

While in office, Gov. Nixon, along with Sen. Ron Richard, recognized this need and found a way to piece together funding for the construction of this dynamic new learning space. Without their unwavering support, this new facility would have remained only a dream, but it is now open and serving students.”

Speakers at the event will include Nixon, Richard, Marble and Dr. Kerry Johnson, chair of the mathematics department.

Those in attendance will also be able to tour the facility.