PSU invites public to Crossland Family University House event

  PSU
  Wednesday, August 22, 2012 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

The newest structure on the Pittsburg State University campus will open its doors to the public on Thursday. The university will host an open house for the new Crossland Family University House from 5-7 p.m. on Aug. 23. There will be a short program at 5:15 p.m.

“The campus and the community have watched with great interest as the Crossland House has risen, so we wanted to give everyone an opportunity to see what it looks like on the inside and get a sense of how this building will serve the university in so many ways,” said Brad Hodson, vice president for university advancement.

Funded entirely with private dollars, the $1.75 million Crossland House replaced the old president’s home, which was built in 1954. The new building is 6,500 square feet and includes both a private residence for the president and his or her family and a large entertainment and engagement space for guests of the university.

Planning for the project began as early as 2008, when the PSU Foundation Board of Trustees expressed their concerns about the condition of the original structure and about its shortcomings as a location for hosting university friends and alumni.

An architectural study in 2009 found that the cost of renovating the existing structure would be nearly as much as replacing it with a more functional building. Following that finding, the decision was made to pursue private funding to complete the project. With funding in hand, construction of the Crossland House began in 2011 and was completed this summer.

In June, the Kansas Board of Regents approved naming the building for the Ivan, Sr., and Virginia Crossland family in recognition not only for their role as lead donors to the project, but also for their longstanding support of the university.