Missouri S&T to renovate Schrenk Hall
Posted by Mary Helen Stoltz
Missouri University of Science and Technology plans to renovate a portion of Schrenk Hall, the building that houses Missouri S&T’s biological sciences and chemistry departments, in part through state capital improvement funding.
“This project will provide much-needed improvements to a building that affects nearly every undergraduate at Missouri S&T,” says Dr. Stephen Roberts, vice provost and dean of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business at Missouri S&T. “The project will focus on new spaces that facilitate collaborative learning and research, and in doing so will help strengthen the ongoing growth and impact of programs within the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business.”
Nearly all of Missouri S&T’s on-campus undergraduate students take introductory courses in Schrenk Hall. That includes the 380 students who are majoring in chemistry or biological sciences.
The original portion of Schrenk Hall was built in 1938. This project will renovate the building’s 83,000-square-foot west wing, which was added in 1973. This is the second phase of a multiphase renovation project. Phase one was completed in 2014 with the construction of Bertelsmeyer Hall, which houses Missouri S&T’s chemical and biochemical engineering department. The move freed additional space in Shrenk Hall.
The renovation will address deferred maintenance issues related to safety, energy conservation and infrastructure, including updates to the roof, windows, mechanical and electrical equipment. University officials hope to also repurpose existing space to increase the building’s capacity for laboratory space.
To fund the project, Missouri S&T will receive $12,076,451 from a capital improvement bill Gov. Jay Nixon signed on Friday, June 5. The University of Missouri System and Missouri S&T will contribute approximately $6 million toward the project.
University officials plan to select an architectural firm in July 2015 and complete a final renovation plan. That plan will be presented to the University of Missouri System Board of Curators for approval in October. Once approved, construction is expected to begin in September 2016 and be completed by December 2017.
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Fantastic news – I attend when the new Schrenk was brand new – 1976-1979. David will start on his Chemistry degree in the Fall, with luck he will enjoy the new facility.
I was a member of the first 4 year class of Life Science majors (81) and Schrenk was the new chemistry building back then. I guess I am getting old, they are having to renovate it now and bring it up to new standards.
I am glad this is being done! Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy all of my time in Schrenk Hall as a Biology Major, the nuances of the building helped give it character. However, some things just couldn’t be ignored any longer. I graduated in late 2012, when the word of mouth was after the new building, Bertelsmeyer Hall, was finished Schrenk would be getting a much needed update! I am glad the University of updating it and I will be happy to come back and visit and see the newly renovated labs and classrooms when I have the chance. Missouri S&T and more specifically Schrenk Hall and all of the wonderful people there made my time there great!