WEST PLAINS, Mo. – All are invited to attend the official dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Hass-Darr Hall at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, on the campus of Missouri State University-West Plains.
The ceremony will take place inside the facility at 201 Garfield Ave., with the ribbon cutting to follow, organizers said.
Attendees can enjoy a reception in the coffee shop area after the ceremony. Parking will be available in nearby university-owned lots.
“Hass-Darr Hall is a wonderful addition to the Missouri State-West Plains campus, serving as both a welcome center and a building filled with student resources,” said Chancellor Shirley Lawler. “I look forward to seeing Hass-Darr Hall filled with students socializing in the Carol Silvey Student Union, shopping at the Drago College Store, utilizing the tutoring labs and the Veterans Center, and participating in the William and Virginia Darr Honors Program. The addition of this building to Missouri State-West Plains will invigorate our student life activities on this campus.”
Bonding package, donations bring project to life
The ribbon cutting brings to fruition an approximately 18,000-square-foot renovation and construction project that has been in the planning stages for 20 years. Passage of a $300 million bonding package to fund repairs and renovations to public properties around the state in summer 2015 revitalized the project. Included in that package was $1.5 million in funding for renovating and expanding the former West Plains Post Office, now Hass-Darr Hall.
The project took another major step forward in October 2015 when the university received significant gifts from Mary Hass Sheid, West Plains; Judge William R. and Jeanne Hass, Springfield, formerly of Thayer; Judge William T. Hass, Thayer; Tim and Missy Hass Myers, Bentonville, Arkansas; and William and Virginia Darr, Springfield. In recognition of their gifts, the facility was named Hass-Darr Hall.
What’s inside
The facility houses the Carol Silvey Student Union, the William and Virginia Darr Honors Program, Drago College Store, tutoring services, the admissions office, the Veterans’ Center and other much needed classroom and administrative office space that will enhance student learning and academic success.
For more information about the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony, contact the Missouri State-West Plains university communications office at 417-255-7960.