Martindale Hall third floor unveiled, more renovations to come

what today’s needs are in our community, in our schools, in our society,” Long said.

The cutting of a ribbon signified the reopening of the third floor of Martindale Hall April 13 following less than 11 months of construction.

Last renovated in the 1970s, the new space includes a $25,000 School Counseling Lab, a $25,000 Psychology Lab, $200,000 for two new classrooms, a $50,000 Student Lounge, faculty offices and a space for the Tunell Family Nursing Program.

At the ribbon cutting, Director of the school of Health Science and Wellness Terry Long spoke about the benefits of the renovation.

“This area specifically addresses the needs for our school counseling program, human services program and our nursing program and think about

Long said these renovations will allow for faculty from four different buildings to move into the area to centralize them to their classrooms and labs.

Health Science and Wellness

Assistant Professor Amy Underwood Barton is one of the professors moving from Colden Hall to the new space in Martindale Hall as a part of the Psychology Lab.

She said the new lab has equipment where students will be able to have a space to run professional subjects and studies.

“It’s a great professional development opportunity for them because this is what they would expect in graduate school or in their careers that they pursue research to have their own lab and know radio can offer.

Both Tritten and Konstantopoulos agree they would love to see more students participate in “Run for Radio.” Students are getting to the point of the semester where finals are coming up, and Konstantopoulos said it’s a great way to just go outside and take a break from their studies. Tritten said this would be a great way to get back out outside and connect with friends.

“We have some great trails and parks here,” Konstantopoulos said. “Mozingo Lake is amazing. Grab your friends, go out there and take a walk.” what that feels like,” Barton said.

“Run for Radio” is sponsored by 21 different companies such as Downtown Maryville, Kool Kats and Planet Sub.

Konstantopoulos said in the past it has had participants from all over like Arizona, North Dakota, Nebraska and many other places. “Run for Radio” had 102 racers signed up before the event started.

Participation fees for Northwest students is $15 and for non-students it’s $25. Contenders will receive a T-shirt, running bibs and gift bags, including goodies from some of the sponsors. All participants are entered in a raffle for a chance to win prizes from the sponsors.

There will also be medals given out to the top-three finishers for both categories of women and men. First place will also receive a $50 gift certificate for Hy-Vee, second place will receive $50 for A&G Restaurant and third place will receive $50 for Brown’s Shoe Fit Co.

“It feels like it continues to grow from the runners and walkers to the businesses that support and everybody around has really been tremendous for us,” Tritten said.

Long said these spaces not only benefit the students, but will serve the community through partnerships.

“We can bring them in to help them address their needs but also train our students through those professional based opportunities,” Long said.

Dawson Parks, a senior applied health major with an emphasis in chiropractic, spoke at the reveal of the third floor. He said when he heard about the project, one of the first things that came to his head was opportunity.

“The importance of this as allowing these Bearcats to be prepared for their future ahead of them after Northwest as well as getting that professional experience before even getting that degree,” Parks said. Interim President Clarence Green opened the event by recognizing how much this renovation is going to ben- efit the students and by thanking the community for its efforts in making this possible. Student Senate President Elizabeth Motazedi talked about the Senate’s $25,000 donation to the building to establish a student lounge.

“The additions to Martindale Hall are a symbol to commitment of providing students a place to learn, grow and thrive,” Motazedi said.

Corey Strider, 1996 Northwest alumni and vice president of the Goppert Foundation, spoke to thank donors for their commitment to this project and how there is still more to be done.

Though the third floor was the original idea for renovations, the vision of a newly reconstructed space doesn’t stop there. Long said that when looking at a 5-10 year plan, the plan is to renovate all floors of the building. At the ribbon cutting, there were signs that showed the vision for the other two floors.

The second floor of Martindale Hall is looking to add a $2 million Motor Learning Center, $200,000 for two foods and nutrition classrooms and a $500,000 Foods and Nutrition Lab. The first floor of the building is looking to add a $500,000 Recreation and Abilities Lab, a $500,000 Sport Science Lab, a $500,000 Well-Being Lab, a $500,000 commons area, $300,000 for three classrooms and a $50,000 E-Learning Studio. For the rest of the building, the Missouri General Assembly approved $8.5 million toward the project, requiring Northwest to come up with $8.5 million for a match. Long said Northwest has until December 2024 to raise that money to complete the $17 million project. Some of that has already been generated, but Northwest is still working toward that full amount.

Northwest art students have been preparing for the annual art show and sale April 21- 22, which will feature a diverse selection of their work. Clay Club will also be hosting the Empty Cups fundraiser where members sell ceramic cups and half the proceeds go to local organizations.

The art students choose their artwork to be in the sale. The art is not just ceramics pieces — they may have print art, jewelry and other work as well. These are pieces they have created from the beginning to the end of their semester to showcase and sell.

Veronica Watkins is an assistant professor of ceramics and the adviser for Clay Club. She joined Northwest in 2002 after graduating in 1996, and has been teaching ceramics since 2018. She said the club has been doing the Empty Cups fundraiser for seven to eight years and the art show and sale has