MOREHEAD, Ky. — Morehead State University has come a long way since its founding as a single building in 1887. Over more than 135 years, the institution has remained a “light to the mountains” by growing and evolving to meet its students’ academic, social, and residential needs.
That spirit of change, progress, and improvement for future generations of Eagles fuels MSU’s current efforts to revitalize its campus.
Renovation projects will improve the campus community’s experience over the next several years through strategic budgeting, state funding, and generous private gifts.
“We are actively trying to make a generation leap with our facilities that students can enjoy for the next 25 years,” said Dr. Jay Morgan, president of Morehead State University.”
The Kentucky General Assembly also approved significant asset preservation funds for MSU. The University has already used these funds to replace roofs and HVAC units for various buildings, upgrade facilities, renovate space and internal repairs.
New Science & Engineering Building
Located behind the Howell-McDowell Administration Building, the new $98 million science and engineering building will prepare students for the 21st-century job market and contribute to the region’s economic transformation.
This 123,000-s.f. facility will house academic programs, including biology, chemistry, physics, geoscience, computer science, engineering, and manufacturing. Design is underway and expected to be completed this fall. Construction is anticipated to start in Fall 2024 and be completed by Spring 2027.
It will replace Lappin Hall and the Lloyd-Cassity Building. Built in 1937, expanded in 1967 and 1993, and renovated in 1996, Lappin Hall is a four-story classroom, laboratory and office structure named in honor of Dr. Warren C. Lappin, former Morehead State academic vice president and faculty member and two-time acting president.
MSU built the Lloyd-Cassity Building in 1962. MSU named the three-story classroom and office structure in honor of Lloyd Cassity of Ashland, former chair of the Board of Regents. It is currently the home to the Lane-Volgenau Center for STEM Education, MSUTeach and the 21st Century Center for Manufacturing Systems.
Multidisciplinary classroom building
Additionally, Morehead State will begin construction on a new multidisciplinary classroom building. This 120,000-s.f. facility will house the business administration and music programs. The $90 million in state funding becomes available in July 2024, and the programming and design process will soon follow. Construction is anticipated to start in Fall 2025 and conclude in Summer 2028. This facility will replace the Bert T. Combs Building and Baird Music Hall.
MSU constructed the Bert T. Combs Building in 1962 and partially renovated it in 2003. The University named the four-story classroom and office building in honor of former Gov. Bert T. Combs. Built in 1954 and expanded in 1967, Baird Music Hall is a three-story classroom and office building named in honor of Dr. William Jesse Baird, the University’s fifth president. It includes Duncan Recital Hall and Fulbright Auditorium.
New and renovated residence halls
MSU plans to construct a new $38 million, 80,000-s.f. residence hall to house 310 students across four floors. The design is currently underway and expected to be completed this summer. Construction should begin in Fall 2024 and be completed by Spring 2026.
MSU is also renovating Coopper Hall and Nunn Hall.
Cooper Hall is undergoing a complete renovation that has a project cost of $10.8 million. Upon completion, the 35,000-s.f. facility will have a capacity of 175 beds. Construction is approximately 50% complete and is expected to be finished in Spring 2025 and will be open to students in the Fall of 2025.
Cooper Hall is a four-story men’s residence hall built in 1965 and named in honor of former U.S. Senator John Sherman Cooper.
Currently under renovation, Nunn Hall, a 105,000-s.f. facility, will remain at its current capacity of 400 beds. The $3.2 million renovation includes:
- New paint
- New countertops and lighting
- Patch, paint, and re-finish the exterior walkways
- New elevator equipment
- New chiller & other mechanical equipment
Morehead State will complete the project in two phases. The first phase concludes this summer, and the second will be completed by Summer 2025.
The nine-story residence hall was built in 1969 and named in honor of Beula Nunn, wife of Governor Louie B. Nunn.
Razing Cartmell Hall will occur after the new residence hall is completed. The 16-story coed residence hall was built in 1969 and named in honor of Dr. William H. Cartmell of Maysville, the first private citizen to serve as chair of MSU’s Board of Regents.
Academic building renovations
Both Ginger Hall and the Camden-Carroll Library are undergoing renovations.
Ginger Hall is currently undergoing a $1.75 million renovation of the entire building, including new lighting, ceilings, flooring, and paint on all floors. A new chiller has also been installed, and a full exterior building cleaning has been completed.
Ginger Hall, built in 1968, was named in honor of Dr. Lyman V. Ginger, former state school superintendent and former chair of the MSU Board of Regents.
Morehead State’s Camden-Carroll Library is currently undergoing a $1.15 million renovation. Completed projects include replacing both roof levels and the building’s chiller and installing a fire suppression system for the collections area.
The first floor will have new finishes, flooring, ceilings, lighting and paint. Plans also include 16 new offices for academic advisors on the first floor. These improvements are scheduled for completion by Fall 2024 and are actively under construction. Second floor renovations will follow once the first floor is completed.
The Camden-Carroll Library was built in 1931 and expanded twice in 1965 and 1978. The five-story structure is named after former U.S. Sen. Johnson Camden and former Gov. Julian M. Carroll. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Improved parking
MSU is razing Wetherby Gymnasium and the Laughlin Health Building to create an entrance to campus and increase parking access for students, faculty, staff, families and guests. An additional 400 new parking spaces on campus will prioritize safety, allowing fewer students to have to park in the overflow lot and walk across U.S. 60 to get to MSU.
Wetherby and Laughlin have served the community for generations by providing health services and hosting athletic events. However, these aging facilities were difficult to maintain.
MSU built Wetherby Gym in 1956. From its construction until the construction of the Academic Athletic Center in 1981, it served as the primary facility for the University’s intercollegiate athletic programs and the athletic programs for the Breckinridge School on MSU’s campus. It was also the venue for several significant campus events, from commencement to concerts.
Built in 1967, the two-story Laughlin Health Building was a classroom, laboratory and office building named in honor of Robert (Bobby) G. Laughlin, former basketball coach, athletic director, and faculty member.
Plans are in the works to allow Eagles to keep a piece of these facilities through several memorabilia opportunities. For more information about memorabilia, contact the Office of Alumni Relations and Development at 606-783-2033 or [email protected].
Craft Academy expansion, Alumni tower renovation
The Craft Academy, led by donations from the Craft family, will be expanding in the Fall 2024. Alumni Tower went through extensive ground floor and partial upper floor renovation to accommodate the academy moving into the tower for future growth. The Craft Family has provided MSU with millions of dollars in generous contributions and the academy continues to lead the way as a top school in the U.S. In the Fall 2023, Alumni Tower became the home of the Craft Academy and its 200 students.
Other campus improvements
Last year, MSU began renovation activities for its football facility with the addition of a new artificial surface. With the expansion of the men’s and women’s track program, a new track surface was also added. Jayne Stadium is also undergoing exterior painting and branding along with updating the stadium press boxes. Further enhancements to the football stadium are also planned.
Private donations are funding facility upgrades for the softball and baseball programs. These upgrades include a new scoreboard, fence screen, Big Blue Wall, new turf project, batting cages, field equipment, re-play systems, and new field tarps.
Meanwhile, the Academic-Athletic Center is undergoing a large branding project on the front of the facility.
Elsewhere across campus, renovation is underway on the first floor of the Educational Services Building on E. Main Street to create a new space for the MSU Police Department. The MSUPD will be relocated from Laughlin Health Building in May.
MSU President Jay Morgan said the combination of new facilities and new and improved residence halls will enhance the experience for faculty, staff, and Eagles past and present.
“We are actively working to transform our facilities, either by building new ones or renovating existing ones. So that MSU students can benefit for generations to come.”
For more information on MSU’s campus revitalization, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/forward.
