Northwest Missouri State University’s Board of Regents on Friday approved acoustical upgrades at the University’s Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building and a series of curriculum proposals, in addition to recognizing three individuals for their impactful service both at Northwest and in the education field.

Regents approved the acoustical improvements at the Fine Arts Building, for a cost not to exceed $1.4 million, and authorized University leadership to award a contract to Lee Grover Construction for the work. The project will be funded through multiple sources, including donors and the University’s Campus Master Plan fund.

Bringing the proposal to the Board, Vice President of Finance and Administration Stacy Carrick and Vice President of Facility Services Dan Haslag said the improvements will address noise transfer and sound performance issues throughout the building while enhancing 14 instructional studios, eight classrooms and 18 practice rooms. Further, the improvements will assist with maintaining accreditation with The National Association of Schools of Music standards and meet minimum requirements for noise isolation.

The 91,465-square-foot Fine Arts Building was completed in 1965 and, as the home of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, houses classrooms, studios and the 550-seat Charles Johnson Theater.

In other business, Regents approved the creation of seven curricular programs:

• Nursing Administration graduate certificate
• Nurse Educator graduate certificate
• Bachelor of Science in echocardiographic sciences
• Bachelor of Science in sonographic sciences
• Master of Business Administration with a geographic information science emphasis
• Education Specialist in educational diagnostician
• Master of Science in Education in educational diagnostician with School Psychological Examiner certification

At the start of Friday’s session, Northwest President Dr. John Jasinski recognized Dr. Casey Abington, an associate professor of economics who was named in August as Northwest’s 2022 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education recipient, and Dr. Clarence Green, vice president of culture and chief of the University Police Department who recently marked 25 years of police service at Northwest.

Additionally, Jasinski recognized and presented a plaque to 1963 Northwest alumnus Joe Bell in honor of his distinction as the University’s first African American graduate and his distinguished career as an educator. Bell, a teacher for 37 years and coach for 26 years before retiring, served as the grand marshal of the weekend’s Homecoming activities.

The Board of Regents is responsible for sound resource management of the University and determining general, educational and financial policies.