Missouri State University has changed a lot since I graduated in 2010.
The Bill R. Foster and Family Recreation Center, Davis-Harrington Welcome Center and the O’Reilly Clinical Health Sciences Center are three large projects that come to mind. The rec center just was getting started as I left, and the other two came along as I started my career at Springfield Business Journal.
Next up is the $26 million renovation and expansion of Glass Hall, the primary setting of my Day in the Life with Stephanie Bryant.
Stephanie - who I called Steph in my notes and in my head, but never out loud - gave SBJ photographer Wes Hamilton and I a tour of the aging building and voiced her vision for its future.
It became clear why the transformation is needed.
Some of the decor of the nearly 30-year-old building looks as if it’s from “Saved by the Bell,” kind of a Solo Jazz cup pattern that sticks out as dated. Offices are a barrier to entry - doors are heavy and look like they’re impenetrable - and there’s a bit of a claustrophobic feel to the place.
The vision calls for taller ceilings, a clean, fresh look with natural light and, fittingly, lots of glass.
“The idea is to have it be more open and airy,” Stephanie says, referring to Facebook’s headquarters in California.
Having visiting Facebook, that’s the kind of vibe I’m getting for the College of Business’ expansion area. A
video we watched showed what it’s expected to look like. It’s big, it’s open and technology is everywhere.
It’s the kind of upgrade necessary for a business college with nearly 5,000 students - reportedly one of the largest programs in the Midwest. First impressions certainly can be key when choosing where to go to school.
Stephanie feels the weight of that, and responds with enthusiasm about the coming changes. There were few parts of her day that weren’t consumed communicating about the renovation project.
I’ll be back next year to check out the changes, for sure.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Stephanie’s relationship with her students.
On May 9, she had four meetings with students, three of them face to face and one on the phone. To me, that shows the dean cares about the well-being of her college, not just incoming student rates and the cold, hard facts of it all. Certainly, an incoming accreditation check and fall numbers - up 195, so far - are important, but it’s neat to see an executive take a direct interest in the students.
There are faculty advisers who can perform those tasks, but it’s something she seems compelled to do.
“We’re not going to let you drop out,” she tells one student. “That’s not an option.”
President Clif Smart, who I’m told is popular among students, certainly would approve.
Reporter’s Notebook
SBJ Features Editor and Audience Development Director Emily Letterman was adamant we personally document our experiences during out respective days via social media.
Here are a series of moments my iPhone captured.
My first view of the day gave me a look at construction underway at Glass Hall.
Stephanie goes over her schedule with her executive assistant, Sherri Cornelius. Let me tell you, her days are absolutely jam packed.
The dean gives Wes and I a tour of Glass Hall and points out areas to be improved. Here, we walk by what will become a New York Stock Exchange trading floor simulation.
In Stephanie’s SUV, she drives me and one of her associate deans, Elizabeth Rozell, downtown. They chat about current events and get in a bit of socializing between meetings.
Stephanie and Elizabeth, right, congratulate Kent Thomas, assistant vice president of international programs, on his retirement.
Stephanie gets in a brief conversation with Clif at MSU’s downtown Kenneth E. Meyer Alumni Center. Clif’s no stranger to the Day in the Life process, having previously been shadowed by us.
I had to grab a picture of this stuffed bear at the alumni center. #BearUp
Associate Dean David Meinert gives Stephanie, Elizabeth and Sherri a tour of the Department of Merchandising & Fashion Design at MSU’s Park Central Office Building on the downtown square. It’s their temporary home for 11 weeks as renovations are made at Glass Hall.
The fashion department is quite different than the COB, but I imagine they’ll make it work. Plus, they’re right across the street from The Coffee Ethic. Nothing bad about that.
Stephanie’s silhouette contrasts against expansion work going on outside Glass Hall.
The building will stretch right up to John Q. Hammons Parkway, across from the MSU library.
This legacy wall in the computer lab near Stephanie’s office is near and dear to her heart. Students each year vote on a motto to display. Next year’s is, “If you can dream it, you can do it,” a quote by Walt Disney.
I say goodbye to the MSU campus with a shot from the parking garage showing just how close the COB expansion is to the library.
