MSU breaks ground for vets' center, residence halls
Mississippi State officials and university friends gathered Friday morning [May 8] to formally break ground for two new residence halls and a premier veterans' facility slated for completion next year.
"These facilities will be major assets for our students by offering additional residential spaces to accommodate a growing demand for on-campus housing," said MSU President Mark E. Keenum. "The new veterans' facility, which will house our nationally recognized G.V. 'Sonny' Montgomery Center for America's Veterans, will continue to carry out the university's commitment to serving those who have served our country."
Architectural firm The McCarty Company of Tupelo is working closely with contractor W.G. Yates and Sons Construction Company of Philadelphia to complete the buildings by July 1, 2016, according to Tim Muzzi, MSU interim director for planning, design and construction administration.
The new buildings are made possible, in part, through the generosity of Tommy and Terri Nusz, alumni of MSU's Class of 1982, who donated a $12.3 million gift as part of Infinite Impact, MSU's ongoing capital campaign.
Terri Nusz earned a bachelor's degree in interior design and began her own design company after graduation. Tommy Nusz completed a petroleum engineering degree, and he is CEO and chairman of the board of NYSE-listed Oasis Petroleum Inc., the Texas-based independent exploration and production company he co-founded in 2007. He delivered the commencement address at Humphrey Coliseum for MSU's spring graduation ceremonies May 8 and 9.
The Nusz family's gift designates $2 million as a cornerstone contribution to build the university's Center for America's Veterans. The center is a national leader in providing campus-based veteran resources in support of some 2,100 currently enrolled student veterans, service members, dependents and survivors.
"We've had a history in our family of military service," said Tommy Nusz. "As we looked at the needs across campus, we felt like it was a great opportunity to give back not only to Mississippi State, but to all those who have served," he said.
The facility for the Center for America's Veterans will include 7,500 square-feet and feature administrative offices, a meeting area and student-support spaces.
The new residence halls will total 245,000 square-feet and each has 376 beds, for a total of 752 beds. Double-occupancy rooms with private bathrooms will be available, as will suites with four single bedrooms, two baths and shared living spaces.
The total construction cost for all three buildings is $53.4 million.
"These facilities will help provide a variety of options and a great learning community for upper-class students," said Bill Broyles, interim vice president for student affairs. "We like to see students not only excel in their academic pursuits, but also complement their studies with meaningful co-curricular activities, and these residence halls are conveniently located next to our world-class recreational facilities."
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Allison Matthews | Public Affairs
