Ashok Midha

Dear Friends,

After years of planning, we have reached a major milestone in the historic upgrade and modernization of our Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering facilities. A generous $5 million pledge from the John Toomey family has moved the "Toomey Hall' project forward, and a ceremonial groundbreaking occurred on September 30, 2005. Since that time, we have vacated the Mechanical Engineering Annex and its asbestos abatement has been completed.

John and Mary (Kelly) Toomey

Bids were publicly opened and documents from KCI Construction Company of St. Louis are undergoing technical review prior to the contract signing. We are pleased to have a total of $14 million in commitments toward the $29 million project (spring 2007 estimate).

The State of Missouri has historically provided a majority of the construction funding for academic buildings on publicly supported university campuses like Missouri S&T. However, that funding role is secondary to the state's significant commitment to operating budgets to keep tuition affordable. Higher education funding is considered discretionary, that is, levels can be adjusted according to the current budgetary issues. The capital projects budget has had zero funding during the last five years, at a time when operating support to higher education was cut 19% in actual dollars. The inescapable conclusion is that our project faces a new funding paradigm.

The challenge will be met by reaching out to all those who care about the future of our students. We are conducting a vigorous campaign for the nearly $15 million remaining balance needed to complete Toomey Hall. We seek all potential sources of support, including individual and corporate gifts, foundation grants and federal funding.

Phase I of the project begins immediately at a total cost of $14 million. After demolition of the Mechanical Engineering Annex, the three-story "new construction' portion of Toomey Hall will be built to house the Product Innovation and Creativity Center, flexible lab spaces, classrooms, conference rooms, presentation rooms, student mini-lounge areas and offices. Phase I will demonstrate the promise of the total project and the exterior appearance of the combined Toomey Hall will be striking.

We will work throughout 2007 to secure the balance of the required funding to immediately begin Phase II that will complete unfinished spaces and renovate the existing building. The impact of Phase I will bolster the case for additional investments to complete the second phase.

The future is now in our own hands! We are grateful to the Toomey family and to our many alumni and corporate partners who have made generous investments in our students. Together, we are building upon Missouri S&T's proud and rich traditions of technological accomplishment and the development of great engineering leaders. Your help will ensure the continued success of future generations.

With warm regards,

Ashok Midha