OSU Regents approve hiring architects for campus projects

The OSU/A&M Board of Regents approved the hiring of architects for two upcoming campus projects at their July 23 meeting.

Regents voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Beck Design of Tulsa, Oklahoma for planning and design work on a new performing arts center to be used by the music and theater departments.

In a press release issued by OSU, College of Arts and Sciences Dean Peter M. A. Sherwood said he is delighted at the prospect of a new performing arts center.

"This is an excellent time to provide a world-class facility for the two departments that have so much to contribute to OSU, the Stillwater community and the state," said Sherwood.

The music and theater departments currently use the Seretean Center for the Performing Arts, which was opened in the 1970s. The building hosts more than 200 events each year, but has drawn complaints in recent years due to a lack of practice space and some much needed repairs.

The board also approved the hiring or Frankfurt-Short-Bruza of Oklahoma City to do planning for a possible renovation or expansion of the Business building.

Both construction projects will be funded through OSU's $1 billion fundraising campaign, Branding Success.

The Colvin Center Annex will also be seeing a renovation. The building is currently only partially used and lacks air conditioning. Rees Associates, Inc. of Oklahoma City has been hired to assist in the renovation and expansion of the facility. The project has an estimated budget of $3 million coming from existing Colvin Center revenues.

Regents also approved renaming room 419 in the Agriculture building the Joseph E. Williams Study Room. Dr. Williams has served as a teacher and advisor with the College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences since 1975.

The Oklahoma City campus of OSU is gaining an important distinction. The branch campus will soon be the only university in the state to offer a bachelor's degree in sign language interpretation. The new Bachelor of Technology in Sign Language Interpretation degree program will fill a necessary void, as by 2012 the highest level of national certification in the field will require a bachelor's degree.