KSU-Salem breaks ground for $6 million renovation
Campus gym to be converted into Health and Science WingBy KEVIN HOWELL
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SALEM- Kent State University Salem Campus held a ground breaking ceremony for its new Health and Science Wing Friday morning.
Community leaders and school officials attended the ceremony, which marked the start of the $8.5 million project's first phase, a $6 million renovation of the campus's 17,000 square foot gymnasium. The renovation will produce a state-of-the art medical learning facility featuring centralized classrooms, laboratories and faculty offices for the nursing and radiology programs.
"The gym was not in use and was the last structure built on the campus, so we thought the space would best be used for these two growing programs," said Public Relations coordinator Ruth McCullagh.
The remaining $2.5 million of the total cost will be used for the second phase- a second floor housing new, hands-on Biology, Anatomy and Chemistry classrooms and labs. When complete, the wing will be more than 24,000 square feet.
Approximately 350 of KSU-Salem's 1,350 students are enrolled in the Radio
-logic and Imaging Sciences or Nursing programs, with nearly 90 percent remaining local after graduation, creating a need to remain ahead of the curve in those fields, according to Jan Gibson, senior program director of the radiology programs.
"We're trying to get our students ahead of the curve; bring things up to date and move ahead of the line," she said. "We want to make our students the best they can be, and what this new wing will do is bring all our departments together for the first time and provide space for the students to grow and learn with the newest technology."
Nursing Program Director Mary Lou Ferrante shared similar sentiments, stating that students in the program have done exceedingly well to date and will benefit from the advanced learning environment.
"Students will have state-of-the-art equipment," she said. "It will be an environment that looks very much like a med school...and finally give us the standard lab needed to best prepare our students for the real world."
With an impending nursing shortage combined with the quantity of graduates from the two programs remaining in the area, it is important for the students to receive as great an education as possible, according to Howard Rohleder, Chief Executive Officer of the Salem Community Hospital.
"We have been provided with high quality employees in a field where in many parts of the country there is a shortage," he said. "We here in Salem are insulated. Many communities won't have the foundation we have to meet the growing healthcare needs of the baby boomers, making Salem Community Hospital one of the "haves" and not a "have-not."
And the students recognize the opportunity the wing will present as well.
"I feel it is important for students to learn in as realistic an environment as possible," said Nursing student Trisha Cymbor. "The greater space provided by the new wing will certainly create greater opportunities for future students."
The new wing is about more than just better educated students, though, according to KSU-Salem Dr. Dean Jeffrey Nolte.
"This project is about our students and showing that Salem remains a community committed to excellence," he said. "It is also for each of us as health care consumers. We deserve the best. Anyone in need of medical treatment expects the best for themselves and their loved ones. Without question, Kent State-Salem focuses on excellence in health care.
"This project will further enhance Kent State-Salem's role as an economic catalyst to our region. Expansion of the number of bachelor degrees is essential to this goal. We recognize that less than one percent of Columbiana County residents with a bachelor degree are unemployed. We also know that our economy will grow by $450,000 for every 10 students graduating from Salem Campus health care programs. This initiative will have an impact on the prosperity of our region."
Through funding of $5 million from the state of Ohio and Kent State University, combined with $585,000 raised by the campus, more than 60 percent of the first phase is already financed, according to McCullagh. Financing for the second phase will come from the State of Ohio Capital Funds and Kent State University, as well as private donations.
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net
