The Griffon News

During a press conference on Oct. 10, Western President, James Scanlon, and Vice President of University Advancement, Dan Nicoson, announced plans for the “Beyond Excellence” Initiative.

“As a new American Regional University,” Scanlon said. “Western’s mission charges everyone with dual responsibility, providing quality education to students and fostering the development of our region, economically, socially and culturally.”

The “Beyond Excellence” Initiative combines two projects that are already known, the keystone project of the renovations of Evan R. Agenstein Hall and the Christopher S. “Kit” Bond Science and Technology Incubator.

The initiative will also include one million dollars for new scientific equipment.

The Steier Group from Omaha, Neb was also called in to determine additional components that could be feasibly included in the project.

“Remaining components of ‘Beyond Excellence’ Initiative, in addition to Science and technology components will be determined after the study in the next two to three months,” Nicoson said. “Examples of types of resources to be considered include additional funds for scholarships, the arts, athletics, unrestricted funds, technology and library acquisitions.”

The total cost for this “Beyond Excellence” Initiative will be approximately $40 million. 30.1 million comes from the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative Fund that will go towards the $35 million cost of the Agenstein Hall renovations and $2.5 million comes from the U.S. development grant for the Science and Technology Incubator.

The rest of the money will come from fundraising after the Steier group has finished its study and determined all the components, which makes the “Beyond Excellence” initiative total approximately 40 million dollars.  More information on this project will be known in the next couple months after the studies have been completed.

“Western is committed to be a major force in the advancement of the Life Sciences Economic development in the region.” Scanlon said. “The life science industry, especially the animal science industry is a driving force in the St. Joseph economy.”