While hailing the groundbreaking of a new Nursing + Student Wellness building at Emporia State as a landmark moment in the university’s history, featured speakers continued to shine the focus on ESU students as both the future and why decisions are being made.
“The cost of this building should not be viewed as a price tag but as an investment,” said Brent Thomas, ESU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It’s an important investment in our community. It’s an important investment in our region. It’s an important investment in our academic programs, and it’s an important investment in the university. But most importantly this is a continued demonstration of the investment that ESU is making in our students.”
He paused to speak directly to current ESU nursing students wearing their teal scrubs in the crowd as well as future nursing students on a campus visit.
“Ultimately it’s all of you that is what this is all about.”
Students were behind the decision of university leadership to pursue funding from outside sources rather than borrowing money through bonds for the building project, according to ESU President Ken Hush.
“It saves the State of Kansas, it saves Emporia State University $8 million in interest; we avoid it.”
He then explained that building projects on campuses routinely have costs that are passed on to students through student fees, which will not happen with the new building.
“By paying it off, it will save every student $460 a year in student fees times the number of years they are here,” he said. “That’s what we do for students.”
Set to open its doors in Fall 2025, the new Nursing + Student Wellness building includes a Simulation Hospital Suite, which will be home to specialized training labs and simulation rooms tailored to adult care, obstetrics, emergency care, and pediatric care. Other features include classrooms, a dynamic learning commons, conference rooms, and a dedicated student success center — all designed to help students be successful on their academic journey.
Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, thanked donors to the project and noted their support is an investment beyond the Emporia State campus.
“Emporia State recruits, educates and trains Kansas kids,” he explained. “And the remarkable thing about that is those graduates stay in Kansas to go to work. No other university comes close to the retention rate in Kansas that Emporia State does.
“Emporia State trains Kansans for Kansas every day,” he concluded, “and that will pay dividends forever.”