Emporia State University had good reason to celebrate Thursday.
After officially opening the brand-new 32,000-square-foot Nursing + Student Wellness Center to students at the start of the spring semester Tuesday, ESU welcomed the community and dignitaries from Emporia and state government to the facility for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, including Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, Kansas House Speaker and ESU alum Dan Hawkins, former president Ken Hush and incoming President Matthew Baker.
The new facility, Emporia State’s first new academic building since 1979, includes five simulation rooms or hands-on experience in several medical fields, as well as an 11-bed skills lab. The Student Wellness component features health and counseling services.
Ground was broken in April 2024. The nearly $19 million facility was funded without bonds or any ESU debt, with five lead donors included: Jones Testamentary Trust, Sunderland Foundation, Capital Federal Foundation, Newman Regional Health Foundation and Ron Ott. Nearly 20 donors were recognized with named spaces.
The ESU nursing program began at then-Newman Memorial County Hospital in 1922. The bachelor’s degree program started in 1995.
