It’s important that you give to this project because it’s the future. It’s the future of the workforce for Oklahoma, particularly northeast Oklahoma. We have to have this new STEM building if we are going to prepare men and women for those critical occupations we already have plus those the future will demand.
– Dr. Larry Rice, STEM@RSU Campaign Chairman and President Emeritus
A TRANSFORMATIVE MOMENT FOR RSU
Few moments in the history of a university can truly be labeled as transformational. In the nearly 25-year history of Rogers State University, one such moment came in August 2000, when the school received accreditation as a four-year regional university. It signaled a new beginning and set the stage for RSU to grow into one of Oklahoma’s leaders in higher education.
A quarter century later, RSU is on the cusp of another transformational moment, one that will have a profound effect on the future of Northeast Oklahoma and the state as a whole.
The new Center for Science and Technology (CST) will transform RSU into a leader in STEM education and serve as a regional catalyst for workforce and economic development.
The 52,000 square foot, $30 million facility will serve as home to some of RSU’s fastest growing and in-demand programs, such as chemical engineering, cybersecurity, environmental conservation, and pre-medicine programs. The CST also will support courses in nursing and allied health.
The CST will allow RSU to compete for the best and brightest students and faculty. Students will have the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art facility and engage in research and internship opportunities. Most importantly, students will now have the ability to study here, work here and live here.
Goal: $8,000,000
Understanding the importance of the CST to the region and state:
- The State of Oklahoma is committing $10 million to the project.
- RSU will make a major investment of funds.
- The RSU Foundation has committed to raise $8 million in private funds to complete the project.
- The Cherokee Nation has supported its belief in this initiative by providing a lead gift of $4 million.
We now embark on the STEM@RSU Campaign to raise the final $4 million in private support needed to construct and equip the facility.
More Details About the CST
- The CST will fulfill a Critical Need for RSU’S FUTURE
- The CST will be an Economic Driver for OKLAHOMA
- The CST Plan and Preliminary Cost Estimates
- STEM@RSU Campaign Steering Committee
The Center for Science and Technology (CST) has been a critical need of Rogers State University for many years. The Campus Master Plan developed in 2014 identified the need for a new building to house science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses.
The current home for RSU’s science and technology programs is Loshbaugh Hall, which was constructed in 1955 when the school was a two-year institution with a small enrollment. The building is no longer capable of meeting the demand of today’s more advanced STEM courses, new academic programs, and the university’s growing enrollment. The facility also has a significant maintenance issues and renovation is not a cost-effective option.
Today, more than 1,000 of RSU’s students are majoring in STEM related programs and the number is growing. STEM courses currently are being taught in numerous buildings across campus because of a lack of space. Even space in the library must be utilized because of a lack of classrooms and offices.
The Center for Science and Technology will become the home for many of the university’s STEM programs, including chemical engineering, medical molecular biology (pre-medicine), cybersecurity and information assurance, unmanned aerial systems, applied technology, and environmental conservation. The CST also will be utilized to fulfill STEM courses that support the general education curriculum and other rapidly growing programs such as nursing and allied health.
RSU has established a project budget for $30,000,000 for construction, required equipment and furnishings. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025.
RSU geographically sits among Oklahoma’s largest economic development corridor. A contribution toward the construction of the CST is an investment in our future. This allows us to better recruit and retain high technology companies which would then bring world-class job opportunities.
- Meggie Froman-Knight, Executive Director of Claremore Economic Development
Economic development in Oklahoma, particularly in STEM industries, is hampered by the lack of a highly educated workforce.
The CST will provide RSU with a facility that will allow it to produce more graduates to fill these jobs.
RSU already plays an important role in providing an educated and skilled workforce for Tulsa, and its graduates also impact industries located at the nearby MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor, and the Tulsa Ports of Catoosa and Inola.
RSU is the only public residential regional university that has its main campus located in the Tulsa metropolitan area.
In the fall of 2023, RSU welcomed the first class of students to its new bachelor’s degree program in chemical engineering, the first engineering degree at RSU and the first chemical engineering degree offered at a regional university.
In its first two years, enrollment in the program is double the projected number, and all of the students are from Oklahoma.
If someone is considering making a gift towards the Center for Science and Technology, I would highly encourage them to think not only about the students and how they’re going to enable them to better learn and to create a better learning environment, but also how they’re going to equip the professors to handle these growing programs here at RSU.
- Dakotah Eaton, RSU Chemical Engineering Student
The Plan:
The Center for Science and Technology brings STEM students, faculty, staff , and regional business partners together for 21st century learning and research. The facility will include:
- Instructional Labs:
Multi-functional labs with flexible furniture and fixtures to provide an enhanced environment for teaching and learning with opportunities for future growth - Research Labs:
Modern labs for focused research by faculty and students - Active-Learning Spaces:
Integrated technology for high-tech, collaborative learning - Collaboration Spaces:
Spaces for learning, studying and team building to foster cross-disciplinary engagement - Maker-Spaces:
Hands-on spaces to make, create and innovate projects and technologies of all types
The Preliminary Cost Estimates:
- Building of 52,000 square feet: $26,000,000
- Lab furniture, fixtures and equipment: $1,500,000
- Technology: $700,000
- Design and consulting fees: $1,820,000
- Total Estimated Cost: $30,000,000
Recognizing the need for the CST, the State of Oklahoma committed $10,000,000 in public funds for the project. In addition, RSU has received approval to issue up to $12,000,000 of bonded indebtedness.
Additional private funds of $8 million are required to fully fund the project.
- Dr. Larry Rice, Chair
- Dr. R. Mark Rasor
- Misty Choat
- Steve Valencia
- Tonni Harrald
- Dr. Danette Boyle
- Travis Peck
- Olivia Woody
- Nick Harris
- Pat Lane
This gift of $4 million toward construction of a state-of-the-art STEM education facility will create new pathways for students to pursue careers in health and allied health fields and bring new opportunities for all students, including Cherokee citizens.
– Chuck Hoskin, Jr., Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Are you ready to play a part of history?
You can be a part of this transformational project by committing to support the STEM@RSU Campaign. A tax-deductible gift to the campaign through the Rogers State University Foundation will help move the CST from dream to reality.
- Ways to Give
The Rogers State University Foundation has accepted the responsibility of raising the $8 million in private funds for the CST. In May 2024, the Cherokee Nation provided a leadership gift of $4 million. To secure the remaining $4 million, the Foundation has begun the STEM@RSU Campaign.
- Cash Gifts: Gifts of cash are accepted and can be made to the Foundation in person, through the mail or online at www.rsu.edu/give. Cash gifts may be structured to be payable over time through a pledge to the Foundation. Monthly gifts via credit card or bank debit are also available.
- Gifts of Securities
- Gifts of Real Estate and Other Assets
- Gifts from Donor-Advised Gunds
Make Your Gift to the STEM@RSU Campaign
Your gift to the STEM@RSU Campaign presents a transformational opportunity to make an investment in Rogers State University, its students and faculty, and in the economic growth of Oklahoma.
To discuss your gift, please contact:
Dr. Larry Rice, President Emeritus and Campaign Chair
918-978-1953 or [email protected]
Steve Valencia, Vice President for Development
918-343-7780 or [email protected]
Tonni Harrald, Senior Director for Development
918-343-7767 or [email protected]
