The Daily Dispatch

As North Dakota State College of Science President John Richman approached a podium to speak on campus Wednesday, he claimed he nearly tripped on a piece of loose concrete. The stunt, although intended for comic relief, is a small testament to the necessity of renovations to take place over the next year at the 82-year-old Horton Hall.

Richman, in addition to a number of other dignitaries, including Gov. John Hoeven, attended the kickoff at Horton Hall, many of them commending the leadership and combined efforts it took to include the $5.7 million project in the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education’s budget. Thirteen other North Dakota university renovations are also included in their budget.

“As we face the challenges tomorrow as a board, and once again deal with issues that present themselves for board action, it’s good that we’re gathered here today to see what can come out as really a team effort,” said North Dakota University System Chancellor Bill Goetz. “This certainly is symbolic, in many ways, of what took place this past session.”

The vast majority of the renovations taking place will address issues related to the building’s age. Richman added, however, that parts of the project will increase the energy efficiency of Horton Hall.

“On an average annual basis, throughout this facility we will have 1,800 students pass through the classrooms and approximately 100 courses that are scheduled in this building,” Richman said.

The renovated space will include 17 newly designed classrooms, each equipped with high-tech instructional equipment, and cater well to the students who use it. The equipment includes computers, interactive tables and monitors, wall screens and microphone systems.

They won’t be the typical English or history classrooms, Richman said, but instead a high-tech space to build a highly skilled workforce.

“This renovation is an investment in the North Dakota State College of Science and this campus, but it’s really an investment in the state and the future of our state,” Hoeven said.

District 25 Sen. Arden Anderson, D-Wahpeton, a student at NDSCS in the 1960s, remembers Horton Hall in its “adult years.”

“I remember the building being bright and shiny. But like everything, they get old, they get tired and have to have something done and I’m real pleased that this building is going to get that renovation,” Anderson said.

He also addressed the building’s history and who it was named after – the late James Horton. Anderson, being a resident of Wahpeton much of his adult life, knew Horton and appreciated his down-to-earth nature.

“He never treated you like anything but an equal, plus he was Norwegian,” Anderson said. “I’m sure if he were here today… I’m sure he would be really pleased about what’s going on here.”

Horton Hall, known previously as the Trades Building, was first constructed in 1927 and some in 1928 for $65,000. It was named after Horton in 1980, who was a former NDSCS vice president of academic affairs and vice president emeritus.

Bids from general contractors hoping to be awarded the project will be revealed Thursday at 2 p.m.

Richman said he expects the public to be invited back to the site in fall 2010 for a grand reopening.

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