After more than 50 years of science and discovery, Roy Blunt Hall at Missouri State University has been renovated for the future without losing its past.  

The carefully preserved 1971 original is now joined with its new addition as one unified home for science. 

Missouri State celebrated the completion of Phase II renovations to the building, formerly Temple Hall, with a ceremony on Nov. 2. The event marked the grand opening of the full building, home of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences.  

The Phase I addition was dedicated Sept. 12, 2025.

Preserving a 1971 original

Temple Hall was named for Allen Temple, who led the university’s science department for nearly 40 years in the early 1900s. The Board of Governors renamed the building for Roy Blunt in December 2022, recognizing the former U.S. senator and Missouri State alumnus for his tremendous support of higher education and research. 

Completed in 1971 and largely unaltered since, the building was submitted to the State Historic Preservation Office during renovation planning. The project team worked to preserve the original character of the exterior and interior public spaces while preparing it for the next generation of science students. 

Preserved elements include the concrete exterior, which was repaired and cleaned, and the atrium’s original lighting and clerestory. Original corridor lighting configurations and transom glass at offices and labs were also maintained. 

Where replacement was necessary, the team matched the original design. New windows and entry doors are similar to the originals, and original window rails were reused at the ends of the corridors. 

Modern systems and spaces 

Behind the historic details, the building has new heating and cooling; fire suppression and alarm; electrical, lab and plumbing systems; a new roof; an updated elevator; and additional restrooms for accessibility. 

Together, the original building and addition total about 200,000 square feet. The building houses biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and geography, geology and planning. The building accommodates 75 faculty and staff, 100 graduate students and 2,400 STEM majors. About 10,000 students will also take general education science lectures and labs. 

“Everything we do — from scientific discovery in the laboratory to mathematical research on paper or through computer-assisted methods — is ultimately done with students, for students and through students,” said Dr. Magdalena Toda, CNAS dean. “Education and mentorship remain at the heart of meaningful research and innovation.” 

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