Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Northwestern State University Breaks Ground on New Academic Building

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/16/23

Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La., recently celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony for a new academic building named after a former university president. Alost Hall will measure in at 73,200 square feet and feature multipurpose classrooms for a wide variety of academic disciplines, according to a university news release. The total cost of the project is $44 million.

“It is incredibly significant for everybody, and for students that are not even on campus yet, students who are not even born yet. They are going to benefit from this investment, so in a very real way, this groundbreaking is a testament to the work that we have all done collectively to invest again in higher education,” said Louisiana Gov. Jon Bel Edwards at the ceremony. “Education is the engine for economic growth and diversification. It is the key to opportunity and prosperity for everybody.”

Amenities in the new facility will include simulation laboratories for nursing and anesthesia programs; a clinic and training area for social work and psychology students; twelve 30-person classrooms; two 40-person classrooms; three 50-person classrooms; and space for 60 offices and an administrative office area, as well as a large conference room and reception area.

“Today, we gather to celebrate the start of a new chapter in the lift of our institution as we begin construction of the state-of-the-art building that will serve as the hub of innovation, collaboration, and learning for generations of students, faculty, and staff to come,” said NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones. “This groundbreaking is a testament to the unwavering commitment of excellence in education, research, and service to our community.”

Local news reports that the new facility will replace John S. Kyser Hall, the largest building on campus, which was built in 1968.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • blurry image capturing students navigating crowded hallways between classes

    How Human Behavior Data Is Reshaping Campus Facilities Management

    The ebb and flow of students, faculty, and administrators across a campus have a larger impact on maintenance, cleaning, and sustainability than many realize.

  • Niles West High School Natatorium Renovation

    Natatoriums are highly specialized spaces, and luminaires in this setting face several unique challenges. Perhaps the most significant is corrosion, which is exacerbated by high indoor humidity, condensation, and pool chemicals, often resulting in material degradation in luminaires not certified to perform in corrosive environments.

  • restroom sinks

    CSU Dominguez Hills Standardizes Plumbing to Improve Restroom Maintenance and Efficiency

    At California State University, Dominguez Hills, facilities leaders have taken steps to standardize restroom fixtures as part of a broader effort to improve maintenance efficiency and control long-term costs.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.