Facilities

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Minnesota State University's property totals 354 acres including 77 acres of protected ravine areas. For more information contact Facilities Planning at 389-2226 or facilities-planning@mnsu.edu. For pictures and more details visit MSU's Campus Tour.

Please click on the images below to display a bigger image.

Alumni Building Alumni & Foundation Building
The Minnesota State University Foundation, Inc. took the leadership and funded the initial construction of the building. The State of Minnesota later leased the space within the building to house programs like KMSU-FM, Alumni Affairs, Development, etc.

Year Completed: 1989
Square Footage: 17,400
Building Cost: $1,272,906

Andreas Black Box Theatre Andreas Black Box Theatre
The Andreas Theatre is an experimental theatre being built which is connected to the Performing Arts Center. The Andreas Theatre includes a 200 seat, 60'x70' studio theatre, concessions area, dance and movement studio, scenic and costume design studio, green room, dressing rooms and graduate assistant offices. A match grant from Lowell and Nadine Andreas stimulated other donors to cover the cost of the $3.4 million structure.

Year Completed: 2000
Square Footage: 19,469
Building Cost: $3,434,224

Andreas Observatory Andreas Observatory
Made possible by a $230,000 gift from Lowell and Nadine Andreas of Mankato. This building houses a "state of the art" telescope. In addition to classroom and research use, it is open to the public for astronomical events.

Year Completed: 1990
Square Footage: 1,863
Building Cost: $240,000

Armstrong Hall Armstrong Hall
Named in honor of Grace Armstrong, who taught professional education for 36 years (1927-63). Armstrong Hall is a classroom building.

Year Completed: 1964
Square Footage: 143,966
Building Cost: $2,009,389

Blakeslee Stadium Blakeslee Stadium

Minnesota State University, Mankato's Blakeslee Stadium was constructed in 1963, and was named in honor of Carlyn P. Blakeslee, who served the institution for 37 years (1924-61). The Seating capacity of the stadium is 8,500 seats plus 1,500 portable.

Year Completed: 1963
Square Footage: 19,433
Building Cost: $80,000

Bud Meyers Field House Bud Myers Field House
The new $11 million 84,000 sq. ft. field house was completed in 2001. It is a state-of-the-art facility that supports NCAA track and field events; practice space for softball, baseball, tennis, and student intramurals; along with a multi-purpose venue for the departments of Human Performance and Recreation.

Year Completed: 2001
Square Footage: 82,308
Building Cost: $10,288,152

Carkoski Commons Carkoski Commons
The commons area linking Crawford Center and McElroy Center, known as Carkoski Commons was named in honor of Chester (Chet) A. Carkoski, in 1990. Chester Carkoski was the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Housing from 1960 to 1973.

Year Completed: 1958
Square Footage: 80,200

Centennial Student Union

Centennial Student Union
Opening its doors 100 years after the founding of Mankato Normal School, this student building was named the Centennial Student Union. In 1972, a "Second Phase," three level complex was added housing a bookstore, ballroom, cafeteria, deli, gameroom, bowling alley, auditorium, and various offices. Phase III cost $5 million with a three story addition on the west end. All construction and operations have been and continue to be funded through student activity fees. Another phase affecting the building's southern exposure is underway and cost $11 million.

Another view of the Union

Year Completed: 1967, 1972, 1999
Square Footage: 202,144

Crawford Center Crawford Center - Residence Hall
The center was named in honor of Clarence L. Crawford, seventh president of the institution, serving as president of Mankato State College from 1946 to 1965. A, B, and C wings were constructed in 1958. D wing was constructed in 1964. Crawford Center has a 700 bed capacity.

Year Completed: 1958,1964
Square Footage: 241,406

Effie R. Conkling Art Gallery Effie R. Conkling Art Gallery
Named after Emeritus Professor of Art, Effie Conkling, the Conkling Gallery enhances the education of our students by sponsoring professional exhibitions of regional, national, and international artists. The Conkling also provides gallery space for senior undergrad and graduate thesis exhibitions.
Gage Center

Gage Center - Residence
MSU’s thirteen story dual high-rise complex. "A" tower was constructed in 1965, "B" tower in 1966. Named in honor of George M. Gage, first principal of Mankato Normal School from 1868-1872. Principal Gage was the first head of this institution to hold a Ph.D. "B" tower has been renamed Maverick Hall, housing a pilot program intended to enhance first-year students' success in college through integrated learning, living and social experiences on campus. Gage Center has a 1,300 bed capacity.

Another view of the Gage Complex

Year Completed: 1965,1966
Square Footage: 271,000

Hazardous Waste Building Hazardous Storage Building
This building provides storage for hazardous materials waiting to be disposed of in a proper way.

Year Completed: 1999
Square Footage: 1,540
Building Cost: $270,000

Highland Center Highland Center
The Highland Center was constructed in 1962. It includes Bob Otto Arena, the swimming pool, offices, wrestling room, Sports Information, Intercollegiate Athletics, Intramurals, and Human Performance.

Year Completed: 1962,
Square Footage: 141,894
Building Cost: $2,144,780

Highland North Highland North
The Highland North was constructed in 1979 with a northern addition in 1979. It includes Schellberg Gymnasium.

Year Completed: 1979
Square Footage: 47,699
Building Cost: $3,168,300

McElroy Center McElroy Center - Residence Hall
The center was named in honor of Frank D. McElroy, sixth president of MSU. E, F, and G wings were constructed in 1961. H and I wings were constructed in 1964. McElroy has a 1,000 bed capacity.

Year Completed: 1961,1964
Square Footage: 208,763

Memorial Library Memorial Library

Named in honor of faculty and community members who made significant contributions to the growth of this institution and the graduates who gave their lives in service of their country. In 1992, the library underwent remodeling and a building addition was added.

Year Completed: 1967,1992
Square Footage: 246,365
Building Cost: $14,090,749

Morris Hall Morris Hall
Named in honor of history professor Albert B. Morris who was employed at MSU for 36 years from 1919 to 1955. The building houses various offices, classrooms and a dental outreach clinic. The Morris Hall addition was added in 1979.

Year Completed: 1968,1979
Square Footage: 66,761
Building Cost: $2,345,230

Nelson Hall Nelson Hall
A new Industrial Arts Building was opened in 1962. This building had modern shop facilities and classrooms and offices to accommodate the Industrial Arts and Mathematics departments. It was named Nelson Hall to honor Maurice J. Nelson who served Mankato State for forty-one years.

Year Completed: 1962,1979
Square Footage: 64,693
Building Cost: $1,847,032

Otto Recreation Center

Otto Recreation Center
First constructed as Highland Center, it served as MSU's center for physical education and athletic competition. The name was changed to "Otto Arena" in honor of former athletic director and football coach Robert "Bob" Otto. A $ 8.4 million remodelling was completed in Fall 2005 which converted the building's primary function to that of a fitness center. The building was renamed to Otto Recreation Center as a result.

The "Big M"

Year Completed: 1962
Year remodeled: 2005
Square Footage:

Pennington Hall Pennington Hall
Named after Charles Pennington, an alumnus who has served as a volunteer with the MSU Foundation Board, the Annual Golf Classic Committee (athletics scholarship fund-raiser) and other boards and committees. The Mankato State University Foundation, Inc. took the leadership and funded the initial construction of the building. The State of Minnesota later leased the space for classrooms.

Year Completed: 1986
Square Footage: 4,196
Building Cost: $284,700

Preforming Arts Center

Performing Arts Center
The name suggests the disciplines of theater, music, and speech, which are housed within. Includes the Ted Paul Theatre (seats 529) and E.J. Halling Recital Hall (seats 350).

A nice shot of the entry way

Year Completed: 1967
Square Footage: 87,887
Building Cost: $1,785,038

Standeford Observatory Standeford Observatory
Named for Leo V. Standeford, professor of astronomy at MSU from 1969 to 1981 -- was established in 1982. The telescopes there are used for visual observations by MSU students and other observatory visitors. Standeford Observatory is staffed by undergraduate student observing assistants under the supervision of Dr. James Pierce.

Year Completed: 1982
Square Footage: 200

Schellberg Gymnasium Schellberg Gymnasium
The Schellberg Gymnasium, named in honor of Ruth Schellberg, former chairperson of women’s P.E. at MSU, was added to Highland Center North.

Year Completed: 1979

Taylor Center Taylor Center
The Taylor Center, with a total area of 142,951 square feet will serves as "the" gateway to campus forstudents, alumni, friends, faculty and staff. The building is the new home for men's and women'sMaverick basketball, women's volleyball and men's wrestling.

Year Completed: 2000
Square Footage: 142,951
Building Cost: $18,410,374

Ted Paul Theatre

Ted Paul Theatre
Named in honor of professor of theatre arts and former Chairperson of the Theatre Arts Department , the theatre is used for all main stage productions.

Year Completed:
Square Footage:

Trafton Science Center Trafton Science Center
Named in honor of professor of biology and onetime Chairperson of the Division of Science and Mathematics, Gilbert H. Trafton. Trafton’s main building and the Trafton addition (1994) house various science, engineering and technology classrooms, offices and laboratories.

Year Completed: 1972,1994
Square Footage: 280,804
Building Cost: $17,245,311

Utility Plant Utility Plant
The Utility Plant provides central heating and cooling and is the distribution point of NSP provided power to the campus.

Year Completed: 1962,1992
Square Footage: 13,574
Building Cost: $1,185,000

Wiecking Center Wiecking Center
Formerly Wilson Campus High School, the building was renamed Wiecking Center in honor of Anna and Emma Wiecking who were faculty members for a combined total of 76 years. Wiecking currently houses The Children’s House, University Operations, assorted offices and classrooms. An annex was attached in 1983, which houses repair shops, including sheetmetal, carpentry, painters, etc. A storage building was added in 1987.

Year Completed: 1959,1983
Square Footage: 108,405
Building Cost: $1,764,105

Wigley Administration Building Earle J. Wigley Administration Building
Named in honor of teacher, coach and administrator Earle J. Wigley who was employed at MSU from 1933 to 1970. This building houses the President’s office, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Fiscal Affairs and Student Affairs Offices, among other key administrative offices.

Year Completed: 1979
Square Footage: 48,933
Building Cost: $1,485,709

Seating Capacities

Facility

# of Seats

Andreas Theatre

200

Blakeslee Statium

6,000 + 1,500 Portable

Centennial Student Union Ballroom

1,000

Halling Recital Hall
(located in the Performing Arts Center)

350

"Bud" Myers Field House
(bleachers only)

3,000

Ostrander Auditorium

300

Ruth Schellberg Gymnassium
(bleachers only)

350

Ted Paul Theatre

529

Trafton Auditorium C - 121

347

Trafton Auditorium C -124

150

Wiecking Auditorium

247

Taylor Center

5,000