Montana State University (MSU) has announced the ground-breaking of a new nursing education building at its Kalispell campus in the US.
The ground-breaking ceremony was held following a philanthropic investment by a couple who own a home in the nearby city of Whitefish, along with a land donation by Logan Health.
Construction of the new two-storey building is set to commence in the coming months.
Funding for the construction will be provided as part of a $101m donation by Mark and Robyn Jones, co-founders of Goosehead Insurance.
Spanning approximately 20,000ft², the nursing building will be located at the north-east corner of Windward and Heritage Ways.
The Kalispell campus initially enrolled eight students annually, a number that is noted to have doubled in 2009 and has steadily increased over the years.
The new facility will have classrooms and laboratories, enabling the campus to expand its enrolment capacity.
MSU’s nursing college is expected to enhance healthcare accessibility for all Montanans.
MSU president Waded Cruzado said: “This building represents far more than bricks and mortar. This project shows what strong partnerships can accomplish.
“The partnerships between our nursing college and Logan Health Medical Center will also help shape our curriculum, provide hands-on training and ensure that our graduates are ready to meet the evolving demands of healthcare. Together, we are strengthening the future of nursing.”
Additionally, construction is set to begin on new buildings at the college's four other campuses.
These campuses comprise Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, and Missoula.
The project's primary goal is to boost enrolment to alleviate the state’s nursing shortage and provide working environments tailored for nursing education and research.
