Safety First: Traffic interruption on Earle Clements Lane

Earle Clements Lane will be limited to one lane traffic on Monday, Nov. 21 and Tuesday, Nov. 22 to continue paving. Work will begin at 7 a.m. and last until 4 p.m.  The blocked area will begin at Alumni Tower, but will not block access to that building and will end at the entrance to the Recreation and Wellness Center.

Also on Monday, the parking garage will be one way entry and exit beginning at noon and lasting until 3 p.m.

There will be traffic directors and an alternate route is available behind Andrews Hall.

Thank you for your continual patience as we continue the progress at Morehead State University!

Past, Present, Future: Lundergan and Padula Halls

The Derrickson Agricultural Complex has recently seen two new residential halls erected on the farm. This has added much needed improvements to the living standards on the grounds. 

Lundergan Hall and Padula Hall are two-story apartment-style residential facilities that each feature four individual units housing six students, or 24 students in each building.  Each of the apartment units include three double-bedrooms with full size beds, three full bathrooms, washer and dryer accessibility, and a kitchen combined with a living quarters.  The luxury of these new facilities far exceeds previous offerings at the complex.

The first of the two identical structures, Lundergan Hall, was named after Mr. Eddie Lundergan, a man that gave so much of his own life to the success of the farm.  He began working at the MSU farm in 1979 after graduating with his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. He began his tenure there as equine breeding coordinator and manager of the horse barn. In 1982 he became farm manager, a position he held until his 2006 retirement.  “He contributed his whole life to this place,” said MSU President Wayne Andrews, “he helped this farm become the agricultural sciences facility that it is today.”  Lundergan Hall was dedicated on Thursday, November 5, 2015 with many of Eddie’s family members in attendance.

The second of the two buildings to be completed is Padula Hall, named in honor of Mr. Michael Frances Padula.  Padula was the MSU Farm Maintenance Supervisor at the Derrickson Agricultural Complex for 25 years.  His life was cut short in 2012 at 53 years of age during a fishing accident, but his contributions to the Derrickson Complex and the University will now live on forever.  Family and friends explained that Mike, a strong man in his faith, enjoyed his work and treasured his friendships with coworkers and students. He especially liked giving tours to visiting elementary students.  Padula Hall is scheduled for dedication this Friday, November 11, 2016.

The progress of our University exceeds the boundaries of main campus, so if you’re ever traveling out near the farm grounds, be sure to check out these amazing additions to the landscape!  Stay tuned for more!

Lundergan Hall

Interior of new halls

Interior of new halls

Safety First: Earle Clements lane closure

Earle Clements Lane will be one lane on Monday, Nov. 14 for paving preparation. Work will begin at 8 a.m. and last until 4 p.m.  The blocked area will begin at Alumni Tower, but will not block access to that building and will end at the entrance to the Recreation and Wellness Center.

There will be workers directing the traffic flow. An alternate route will be open to provide access to the Recreation and Wellness Center and Eagle Lake Apartments. That route will be beside the Space Science Center and through the new access road by Andrews Hall.

This work is being done to repair the roadway that has experienced high traffic and damage because of continual construction on the new Parking and Dining Commons.

Thank you for your continual patience as we continue the progress at Morehead State University.

Past, Present, and Future: ADUC

A building that all are familiar with, is the Adron Doran University Center, or as most know it, “ADUC.”

 As the building undergoes a renovation and expansion, we can reflect on what this multi-purpose facility has provided for MSU and what it will offer generations to come.

Built in 1956 on the site of the first campus building, this three-story building has already been expanded two previous times; once in 1969 and once in 2005.  ADUC was originally known as the Doran Student House, and was named in honor of Dr. Adron Doran, the seventh president of the University, who served from 1954 to 1977. 

During his 23-year tenure as President of Morehead State University, Dr. Adron Doran brought the former state college to university status and oversaw a building program that changed the skyline of the Rowan County town that gave its name to the school.

He became President in 1954, retiring in 1977 with the title of President Emeritus. From 1952-54, he had been secretary of the Kentucky Council on Public Higher Education and director of the Division of Teacher Education and Certification for the Kentucky State Department of Education. For a year previous he had been visiting professor of education at the University of Georgia.

Doran also was a minister of the Church of Christ, and was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives four times (1943-51). He was Speaker of the House from 1950 to 1951. He was a member of the Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (1943-44 and 1950-51), a participant in the White House Conference on Education of the Disadvantaged in 1966, the White House Conference on Education, 1955 and 1965, and Chairman of the N.E.A. Legislative Commission in 1966.

ADUC has been home to numerous student operations, including the offices of Student Success, Student Government Association, Student Programming Board, Disability Services, Multicultural Student Services, Conference Services, Student Activities and Greek Life, and the Office of University Outreach.  It has also housed the University Post Office, the University Bookstore, and various meeting rooms.  

Dining services were located on the second floor with Aramark, Starbucks, Taco Bell, catering, and more.

With the newest renovation and expansion to the ADUC, the facility will nearly double in size over a 22-month period.  The project will increase student services and amenities on campus with more restaurant-style accommodations, extended hours, and a modern atmosphere for students to collaborate and have a truly invaluable experience while at MSU.

Once it re-opens, ADUC will provide a theater to serve for orientation of new students and a space for current students to use for events and meetings.  A sports pub and tech lounge will offer new experiences that students can incorporate into their college experience.  There will be multiple dining lounges for students and expanded eatery options. These include a Steak ‘n’ Shake, Which Which, Moe’s, a coffee lounge, and a Brick Oven Pizza Parlor – adding to the several already favorite options offered by Aramark. 

A Business Center, Admissions and Welcome Center, Card Services, and an expanded space for student life and activities will make this facility better than anything MSU has offered.

The addition to ADUC will also create an outdoor area for students to gather, highlighting the beauty of the geographic location in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forrest.  This is the first step in creating a “Great Lawn” area that will provide a pedestrian friendly campus.

MSU is offering much more in terms of student and faculty experience with facilities improvements that are turning our campus into one that is truly state-of-the-art.  The excitement for this expansion project is most definitely obvious and will only draw more anticipation with progress.  Stay tuned for all the updates!

ADUC 1967

ADUC before renovation

ADUC after renovation

Past, Present, and Future: Rader Hall

As we continue our look back in the history of Morehead State University facilities, we now examine a building that sits on the original crescent of University Boulevard.  Rader Hall, built in 1925 is a three-story classroom and office building that houses the office of the Dean of the Caudill College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Department of History, Philosophy and Religion; Department of Sociology, Social Work and Criminology; and the Exelbirt Seminar Room. 

This historic building, named after former faculty member and administrator Dr. Clifford Rader, was renovated and expanded in 1970.  The renovation included the removal of the original exterior and imposed a complete facelift of the facility to bring it into that decade.

Originally, Rader Hall was simply known as the administrative building, housing administrative offices up until the completion of the Howell-McDowell Building constructed just across the street in 1963.  After administrative purposes were relocated, the old administrative building was directed for re-design to house the Social Sciences.  At the time, Dr. Clifford Rader was the Divisional Chairman and passed away shortly after.  In his honor, the former administrative building was to be named “Rader Hall.”

According to Dr. C. Nelson Grote, “Dr. Rader was not only a professional person, he was also a fine craftsman.  He made steel knives, which he gave to his dinner guests, and he also was a musician and played the banjo.” 

Years after his death, his wife donated two of his instruments to MSU including a crafted banjo with ivory inlays and carvings.  Not only is Dr. Rader honored through name of the building, but he is forever enshrined on the memorial plaza in the center of campus for his 17 years of faithful service to Morehead State University.

It is unreal the history that lies in the brick that houses our education.  With a little bit of atmospheric understanding, appreciation and pride can exponentially rise for students here at MSU. 

The old Administrative Building (1926)

Rader Hall, today

Past, Present, and Future: Andrews Hall

 The landscape of our beautiful campus is full of historic buildings, new amenities are also beginning to take shape in the skyline.  These buildings are sculpting their own story to add to MSU’s rich narrative.

Ground was broken for the Dr. Wayne D. and Susan H. Andrews Hall on March 19, 2015 and the five-story complex will be dedicated on September 30, 2016 making it the first main-campus residence hall to be built since Cartmell Tower in 1969. 

Standing on the former site of Regents and Wilson Halls at a cost of $28 million, the new hall will provide suite-style living space for 550 residents.  In addition to the living quarters, student/study meeting areas and community kitchens will be available for residential use.

The room types are a little different than what most have become accustomed to on campus.  Andrews Hall provides suite style options for two-person or four-person accommodation.  The two-person suites are double rooms that share a bathroom with another two-person room next to them.  The door from the bathroom to the room is lockable. 

Rooms come with a built in closet, sinks in the room, a desk and chair per person, and two full size beds.  Maximum privacy is achieved with the floor-to-ceiling wall that separates the sleeping areas.  The four-person suites house four people, who share two bathrooms and a community kitchen area. Within the four-person suites are four single, lockable bedrooms.  Each private bedroom is furnished with a built in closet, desk and chair, and a full size bed.

It is becoming increasingly exciting as we draw closer to the time of opening for this brand new facility.  Students temporarily being housed in Cartmell Hall are showing their anxiousness.  Tayler Singleton, a sophomore student to soon move into Andrews Hall, weighed in with his thoughts. 

“The full size beds are going to be awesome after a year of barely fitting on a twin,” said Singleton.  “Not to mention, the ceiling fans are going to offer a little more temperature control for those hotter months,” he added.  

Jacob Bryan, also a sophomore preparing to move said that he was "extremely pumped to get to be a part of the first generation of students in the hall" and that it was "pretty cool to be the first occupant of his room."

Andrews Hall is named after Dr. Wayne Andrews and his wife Susan.  Dr. Andrews is the 13^th president of Morehead State University having served in that position since January of 2005.  He is a graduate of Fitchburg State University where he earned his bachelor’s and West Virginia University where he received his master’s and doctorate.  Andrews has nearly 40 years of higher education experience at three public, comprehensive universities.  He was appointed by Gov. Ernie Fletcher and then reappointed by Gov. Steve Beshear as one of Kentucky’s five representatives on the Southern Regional Education Board.  He has also served as President of the Ohio Valley Conference.  Dr. Andrews is a U.S. Army veteran whose hobbies include restoration of antique clocks and the singing and playing of traditional music. 

Mrs. Andrews works with several student organizations, volunteers, and is retired teacher. The couple have two children, Josh and Jill, and two grandchildren, Nico and Luka.  President and Mrs. Andrews reside on campus in the President’s Home which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

More photos of the hall, renderings, and construction are available at https://www.flickr.com/photos/msu_facilities/albums/72157663941518550/with/29151054646/

Past, Present and Future: Button Auditorium

As we continue to prepare for all of the new amenities that Morehead State University is going to offer, we can’t forget about all that it has offered for years prior.  This campus is one that holds true beauty and history in its landscape with historic buildings and geography.  It makes Morehead State truly one of a kind.

When considering historic buildings on campus, no one can overlook Button Auditorium.  For almost everyone at MSU, it was one of the first buildings you were introduced to at Morehead with summer orientation.  It is still used commonly for guest speakers and organizational events and shows.  

Built in 1928, renovated in 1968 and upgraded in 2005 with new seating, this three-story facility contains classrooms and offices and a 1,200-seat auditorium. It was the site of the University’s first gymnasium which was transformed into classroom and laboratory facilities for Army ROTC. The facility includes an indoor range which is used by the Eagle rifle team

It was named in honor of Frank C. Button, first president of the University, who served from 1922 to 1929. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dr. Frank C. Button, with his widowed mother, Phebe Phelps Button, founded Morehead Normal School in October 1887, on behalf of the United Christian Missionary Society of St. Louis. Their goal of training teachers was aimed at improving the economic and civil stability of the region, after the Tolliver-Martin Feud.  

In 1922, the Kentucky General Assembly established Morehead State Normal School, in effect closing the privately run school and bringing it under state control. Prior to this action, Frank had served as the Supervisor of Rural Schools for the Kentucky State Department of Education. His service in that capacity apparently influenced the school's transformation into a public institution. Frank continued his service at the school as the first president of Morehead State Normal School from 1922 to 1929. The school was raised to university status in 1966.  Our founder received honor having the historical building named in his memory.

Unlike the newer buildings on campus, students and faculty dating all the way back to the 1920s have been impacted by this structure.

“It’s one of the oldest buildings on campus; however, it being old is what makes it great,” said Brandon Breyer, a member of the MSU rifle team.  “It has always been my home for MSU Rifle.  It is also cool that it has practically become the trademark building on campus because it is where freshman students go for SOAR.  While it is old, it is historical and holds immense value to the rifle team and all students of MSU.  It truly makes you appreciate the history every time you walk inside.”