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

  • Upcoming University of Alabama Performing Arts Center Hits Construction Milestone

    The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., recently celebrated the topping out of its new Smith Family Center for Performing Arts, according to a news release. The university is partnering with HPM for program and project management on the facility, which broke ground in 2023 and is scheduled for completion in November 2026.

  • UNL Kiewit Hall

    Designing for Engineering Excellence: Integrating Sustainability and Wellness at UNLs Kiewit Hall

    Kiewit Hall at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln exemplifies how academic institutions can integrate sustainability and wellness into modern learning environments. With an integrated and collaborative team approach, Kiewit Hall addresses enhanced learning and creativity, physical health, and mental wellness, and fosters a sense of community through innovative design, operations, and policy solutions.

  • classroom with crystal ball on top of a desk

    Call for Opinions: Spaces4Learning 2026 Predictions for Educational Facilities

    As 2025 winds to a close, the Spaces4Learning staff is asking its readers—school administrators, architects, engineers, facilities managers, builders, superintendents, designers, vendors, and more—to send us their predictions for educational facilities in 2026.

  • LSU Breaks Ground on $200M Residential Project

    Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La., recently broke ground on a new residential complex, according to university news. The South Quad residential project will consist of two buildings and add a total of 1,266 beds for freshmen students. The development comes with a price tag of $200 million, and it’s scheduled to open to students in fall 2027.

Digital Edition