MU officials and politicians gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony after Governor Nixon approved $38.5 million to renovate the 1935 and 1944 sections of MU’s Thomas and Nell Lafferre Hall.
After taking a walk through the building MU chancellor R. Bowen Loftin said he was appalled at the condition of this section of the building. Loftin said that equipment and desks were covered in plastic because rain would come into the building.
“I really, really felt that this was by far the highest priority the University of Missouri had for its renovation needs,”
These renovations will connect all of the school’s new facilities to the rest of the building and make the entire building accessible, according to the guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The interim Dean of Engineering, Bob Schwartz, said the mission of the college is to educate, create leaders and develop entrepreneurs. Schwartz said the new renovations will help accomplish all of that.
“This renovation will increase our capacity to achieve our educational and research missions and to fulfill our obligation to our students. We owe it to the students, who choose MU engineering, and to their parents, to effectively prepare them for their careers.”
Scheduled to be finished in late December 2016, MU plans on making the main floor of the renovated facilities student-centered by adding space for competition teams, student conference rooms, study spaces and a coffee shop ran by Campus Dining Services.