The new Fitness Center at Missouri S&T will be dedicated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, near the southwest entrance of the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building. The dedication is open to the public and is part of Missouri S&T’s Homecoming Weekend activities.

The updated facility includes a campus fitness center featuring the latest cardio and weight equipment, a designated varsity weight room and fitness room for intercollegiate athletes, and air conditioning for each area.

“This state-of-the-art fitness facility will enhance the educational experience of our students by providing them a place to exercise and improve their bodies as well as their minds,” says Chancellor John F. Carney III. “We appreciate the support of our donors for their continuing commitment to our institution, our students and the future business leaders of our state.”

The Student Recreation Center renovations are made possible by a $1 million gift from the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, a $250,000 gift from Roger and Sandy Dorf, other private donations, and student fees. Roger Dorf is vice president of the Missouri S&T Board of Trustees and a mechanical engineering graduate of the university.

The S&T Student Council unanimously voted to meet the match of private support by devoting an approved student fee for facilities to the project. The student commitment allowed the university to finance an additional $1.25 million to complete phase I of the effort this fall.

The dedication will include remarks by Carney; Mark Mullin, Missouri S&T athletics director; Stephanie Rostad, student body president; John M. Mills, group director of brewery operations at Anheuser-Busch and a mechanical engineering graduate of S&T; and the Dorfs. The ceremony will also include a presentation of colors flag ceremony by the Air Force ROTC and performances by the S&T Choir and the S&T Band.

Immediately following the dedication, guests are invited to tour the new facilities and join the Miner Alumni Association for its Kick-Off Tailgate Party outside Allgood-Bailey Stadium. The cost for lunch at the Tailgate Party is $10. Register for the tailgate lunch at alumni.mst.edu or by calling the alumni office at 341-7677.

This is the first in a series of planned renovations to Missouri S&T’s Student Recreation Center and related facilities. With renovation costs totaling $7.4 million, an additional $3.5 million is needed to complete the project.