Dec. 18, 2025–A 10,000 square foot storage building adjacent to the Houlne Center for Convergent Technology on the campus of Missouri Western State University has become reality. In recognition of their support of the Houlne Center, the new storage structure is named the Thevenot (TEVV-enn-oh) Family Building. It houses equipment not currently in use, raw materials, and vehicles associated with the Center.
“The Thevenot Family Building makes the Houlne Center even more flexible, allowing our staff to have even more state-of-the-art equipment and materials on hand while keeping the main building free for education and training,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, MoWest president.
A gift-in-kind contribution was received from the Thevenot family, known for their ownership of the former Perka Buildings, which now operates as TEAM MIRACLE via its local, client-facing business, Veritas Systems Construction. The company manufactures, distributes and markets steel frames and building structures for agricultural, commercial and individual use.
The Thevenot family’s involvement in St. Joseph spans more than two decades. Eduard Thevenot brought the company to the city from Canada in 1997. His son Martial and grandchildren Guy and Michele are the second and third generations to build on this legacy.
“It means the world to our family to support a place dedicated to curiosity, learning, and hands-on innovation,” Martial Thevenot said. “We’ve always believed that when you invest in people, you invest in the future, and Missouri Western continues to prove that every day. Seeing our name on this building is both a humbling honor and a reminder to keep giving back wherever we can. We hope the Thevenot Family Building serves as a strong and steady home for the equipment, materials and resources that will aid and support the next generation of creators, builders, and dreamers.”
The Thevenots have been positively engaged with MoWest and the Saint Joseph Community for many years. In 2022, Martial Thevenot was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Craig School of Business. Next month, he will begin serving his first term on the Missouri Western State University Foundation Board of Directors.
Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. MoWest is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu.