A fire that broke out in Northwest's Administration Building on July 24, 1979, destroyed about 60 percent of the building, including its entire north wing. Northwest will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the fire on the same date this month. (Photos courtesy of Northwest Missouri State University Archives)

July 25, 2019

Northwest commemorates 40th anniversary of Administration Building fire, remodeling of KXCV studios

The Northwest Missouri State University community gathered July 24 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a fire that devastated the campus’s central building and proved to be a seminal point in the institution’s history.

Former and current employees and friends of the University filled the first floor of the Administration Building for the anniversary event. Refreshments were provided in conjunction with an exhibit detailing the fire and its aftermath.

In addition, KXCV – Northwest’s National Public Radio affiliate, which moved from the Administration Building to Wells Hall as a result of the fire – hosted an open house and ribbon-cutting to celebrate the completion of its remodeling on the second floor of Wells Hall. Refreshments and tours of KXCV and the Warren Stucki Museum of Broadcasting were provided.

Broadcast studios occupied space in the Administration Building and their equipment was severely damaged in the fire. Broadcast programming eventually was moved to Wells Hall.