Tarleton Applied Sciences building wins legislative approval

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Architectural rendering of the proposed Applied Sciences Building at Tarleton State University's main campus in Stephenville.

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STEPHENVILLE (June 16, 2015) — An Applied Science building for Tarleton State University’s Stephenville campus is among the projects included in the Texas Legislature’s approval of $3.1 billion in state construction.

If signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, a bill authored by Rep. John Zerwas and Sen. Kel Zeliger, would provide $54 million to build a new three-story structure for classroom and laboratory space for Tarleton’s engineering and engineering technology programs. Additionally, the facility will house select laboratory space for the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Rep. J.D. Sheffield and Sen. Craig Estes led the legislative support for the Stephenville project. The project also received support from Tarleton alumnus Rep. DeWayne Burns, Rep. Craig Goldman and Rep. Doc Anderson, among others.

“This is a vital step forward for the university,” said President F. Dominic Dottavio. “The Applied Sciences building will provide a major boost for the university’s programs and infrastructure, while helping us address the critical shortage of appropriate academic space on the Stephenville campus. This facility will significantly enhance our ability to maintain exceptional programs for our growing student population.”

The earliest the new building would open is Fall 2018. The building would enable the university to provide state-of-the-art laboratory space.

“I’m thrilled that Tarleton State was granted this opportunity to expand their campus,” said Sen. Estes. “The success and continuous growth of the university is not only important for its students, it will also have a tremendous impact on the community. My hope is that with the support of the Legislature, we can continue to make improvements that will be beneficial to future students and educators.”

Rep. Sheffield noted that “Tarleton’s Stephenville campus has experienced significant growth in recent years and is in dire need of this type of facility. I was happy to craft a stand-alone bill (HB 1254) to support both of Tarleton’s capital request projects and help move Rep. Zerwas’ bill to passage in the House, which ultimately provided the funding for all state university projects.”

The building would be home to the Engineering and Computer Sciences and the Engineering Technology departments, as well as house new programs at Tarleton in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Energy and Mechatronics.

The new facility supports the state’s STEM goal to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics graduates. Tarleton’s engineering programs already provide students with access to research equipment comparable to larger institutions and the new facility will further upgrade the programs’ capacities.

The building will be designed as a laboratory for learning, with the intent to create spaces that engage students and faculty collaboratively in the learning process.

The concept for the building is to feature the red Tarleton brick, with sandstone, glass and metal. Both the learning laboratory concept and use of building materials parallel the university’s student-focused vision, while continuing to enhance the campus’ traditional architectural look and feel.

Tarleton State University, a member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience marked by academic innovation and exemplary service, and dedicated to transforming students into tomorrow’s professional leaders. With campuses in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online, Tarleton engages with its communities to provide real-world learning experiences and to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.

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