On Tuesday, Pittsburg State University celebrated the opening of two major projects in downtown Pittsburg — the new home of the Kelce College of Business and the newly renovated Besse Hotel.
Various city and regional leaders were in attendance for the opening ceremonies — including Kansas State Senator Tim Shallenberger and State Representative Ken Collins.
Also in attendance were Pittsburg City Commissioners Stu Hite, D.J. Perry, Cheryl Brooks, Dr. Ron Seglie along with Pittsburg’s mayor, Chuck Munsell.
There were two ribbon cuttings and self-guided tours, first for the Kelce College of Business.
Pitt State’s Vice President of Advancement Kathleen Flannery spoke at the beginning of the ceremony. She joked that “no one is more excited for the opening of Kelce than Dr. Paul Grimes,” who is the Business School's Dean.
"The road leading us to today's ceremony has been very long with numerous curves and switchbacks along the way," Grimes said.
Grimes said the new building “reflects the vision of many leaders, both present, within our community and at Pitt State.”
The building has two levels and features opportunities for programs for Pitt State Business majors.
City and university leaders, including Pittsburg City Manager Daron Hall, Pitt State’s President Thomas Newsom and Pittsburg Chamber of Commerce Blake Benson, also gave remarks at the ceremony.
After the Kelces’ ribbon cutting was the ceremony for the newly named Besse Apartments. The apartments are a block north of the College of Business building in the 100-year-old Besse Hotel, a 100-year-old building — which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
People in the photo: Housing and Residence Life Director Maria Thompson , Vice President of City Affairs and Enrollment Management Karl Stumo, Pitt State President Thomas Newsom, Pittsburg Mayor Chuck Monsell U.S, Representative for Kansas Derek Schmidt, Miles Schnaer, owner of Crown Automotive in Lawrence, Representative for Crosland family Maddie Crosland-Haberkamp, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students Jon Bartlow, Executive Director, Center for Reading David Hurford and Wes Streeter, associate vice president of economic and community engagement
In addition to apartments, the building's first floor houses the Center for Reading, the Small Business Development Center, and ConnectEd PSU.
During the apartment's opening ceremony, Kansas U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt said he's excited for the small business development center.
Three floors of the apartment complex are reserved for Pitt State business students.
Most of the Besse apartments are studios and one-bedroom units. The building houses about 60 beds.
Students began moving into the Besse apartments last month.
The apartments cost between $700 and $900 per month. All of the doors are locked and require a special key for entry. Thompson said the apartments are one of the more secure places on campus.
Maria Thompson is Director of Housing and Residential Life.
"We're really excited,” she said. “We're ready for students, ready for the experience for them to enjoy downtown.
Thompson said there was always a waiting list for the Block 22 apartments, another complex downtown. The Besse apartments help alleviate the housing shortage for students.
The transportation service, 'The Gus Bus,' is available for tenants. It'll start running next week from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The new apartments, coupled with the university's transportation service, provide more housing and transportation options for Pitt State's international students.
A press release from Pitt State’s Gorilla Connection from earlier this year said funding for the two 'Gorilla Rising' projects comes from a combination of private and public donors and partnerships; a grant from the Kansas Department of Commerce; and gaming revenue, a Revolving Loan Fund contribution and in-kind support from the City of Pittsburg.
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