Architect’s rendering of Drew H. Brown Arts Annex by Patterhn Ives LLC
Oct. 25, 2019—The Sunderland Foundation has given Missouri Western State University a contribution of $1 million for the construction of the Drew H. Brown Arts Annex for Potter Hall.
“We are extremely grateful to the Sunderland Foundation for their investment in our students and their futures,” said Matt Wilson, Missouri Western’s president. “The facilities made possible by this gift will foster creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking, skills that make our students valuable contributors to society.”
At this stage, it is envisioned that the Drew H. Brown Arts Annex will house the Department of Art’s sculpture and ceramics programs. Space vacated by the three-dimensional arts would then be used for Missouri Western’s growing graphic design program.
“Potter Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus and has served Missouri Western well, but many of our programs have outgrown the space available,” said Dr. Doug Davenport, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The annex will give us greater flexibility in providing appropriate teaching environments, and we are very grateful.”
The new structure is named for St. Joseph resident Drew Brown, who announced his own $1 million gift toward the project in April 2019.
The Potter Hall project is part of Missouri Western’s Centennial Capital Campaign, launched in January, 2015, the University’s centennial year. The campaign so far has exceeded the initial celebration goal of $20 million by more than 50 percent.
“We’re very thankful to the Sunderland Foundation and to the hundreds of others who have supported the Centennial Capital Campaign,” said Todd Simpson, vice president for university advancement and executive director of the Missouri Western State University Foundation. “Through the campaign, Missouri Western has been able to address many of its long-range needs. That kind of private support is critical in today’s higher education environment.”
The Centennial Capital Campaign funded significant improvements to Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium and the Looney Arena, endowed a first-of-its-kind population health management degree program and grew the Foundation’s endowment. The five-year campaign will end in January 2020.
The Sunderland Foundation, based in Overland Park, Kansas, was established in 1945 by Lester T. Sunderland, who served as President of the Ash Grove Cement Company for 33 years as a highly respected leader in the cement industry. Since its inception, the Foundation, which continues to be led by Lester T. Sunderland’s descendants, has focused on supporting construction projects, awarding grants to nonprofits in the Kansas City region and other markets traditionally served by the Ash Grove Cement Company.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.