Bsu Gets $2 Million Morrison Gift

Boise State University will receive $2 million from the Harry W. Morrison Foundation to construct a new civil engineering building.

The donation was announced Tuesday by Velma Morrison.

The 6,800-square foot building will include more than 10 specialized laboratories and space for operating high-vibration engines. The new building will allow Boise State to offer all its engineering lab courses on campus. Currently the university borrows laboratory space from the Department of Transportation.

With the Morrison gift, Boise State has raised $4.3 million toward matching the $6 million challenge grant issued by Micron Technology 20 months ago. When the fund drive is complete, the school will construct a 64,000-square foot building in addition to the civil engineering lab. Both facilities have been designed by CSHQA Architects of Boise.

The two new buildings are to be located south of the current Engineering Technology Building on University Drive and will provide needed space for Boise State’s growing baccalaureate degree programs in electrical, civil and mechanical engineering.

President Charles Ruch said the school will seek state Board of Education permission to name the new building the Harry W. Morrison Civil Engineering Building to honor Mrs. Morrison’s late husband, co-founder of Morrison Knudsen Co., the worldwide engineering and construction company.