This semester has brought a few changes for faculty, staff and students, following a tornado that struck campus Nov. 10, 2002, destroying or damaging 26 buildings.

“I think the university has gone well beyond the expectations with the space [provided]. I want to thank Dr. Claudia Limbert (MUW president), Nora Miller (vice president for finance and administration), Tommy Doughty (superintendent of buildings and grounds) and anybody involved in administration and staff that helped us out,” said Sean Dickey, art coordinator and instructor. “It makes me proud that the university looks after us. It shows the commitment the administration has for the arts, that they would not let us fall by the wayside.”

Doughty oversaw the remodeling of Shattuck Hall to accommodate the Division of Fine and Performing Arts.

The new facility has nine spacious classrooms, office and gallery space and a studio.

Art Professor Robert Manning said, “We were skeptical at first when we first viewed Shattuck, but we thought if handled right it would work well. The main concern was with how much time it would take to remodel [Shattuck]. They got it done in three weeks which was amazing.”

The division began moving into Shattuck Hall mid-January. Once the majority of equipment was situated classes began.

Dickey said this allowed students and faculty to once again have a place to call their own after having classes and offices spread throughout campus.

Renovation of the fine arts building is expected to take a year. The project will include the replacement of the third floor, which was demolished in the tornado.

The Physical Education Assembly Building (PEAB) also was destroyed in November.

In mid-February, the temporary fitness center opened its doors to MUW students, faculty and staff. The center is housed in the old laundry building across from the old Magnolia Dorm lot.

Student worker Shandolyn Roberson, a junior, said, “I think it’s a good thing. More people are coming out now than when the gym was open. I just think it's better…for a while they did not have anywhere to work out and now they have somewhere to go to.”

The fitness center has workout stations including Stairmasters, treadmills, exercise bikes, televisions, various free weights and a stereo. It also contains men and women locker rooms.

Katy Canion, coordinator of community college recruitment at MUW, said, “I think it will be just as good because it has all the same stuff. I can’t afford an off-campus gym.”