Pictured from left are Tim Bolte, C'84, Gracelyn McDermott, C'93, Tim Trainor, Raphael Della Ratta, C'92, Boyd Creasman and Bill Davies.
Mount St. Mary’s University has broken ground on expansion of the Knott Academic Center. The 12,140 square foot addition, in coordination with renovation of the 49,074 square foot existing building, will enhance the learning environment by providing technologically advanced collaborative spaces and a Bloomberg Classroom Laboratory as well as more classrooms and faculty offices.
The Board of Trustees and administrators gathered at a June 13 groundbreaking ceremony for the $7.5 million project. Helping President Timothy E. Trainor, Ph.D., symbolically break ground were major donors to the project, Howard N. "Tim" Bolte, C’84, representing the Bolte Family Foundation, and J. Raphael Della Ratta, C’92. Both donors are members of the board. Also wielding shovels were Board Chair Gracelyn A. McDermott, C'93, Provost Boyd Creasman and Vice President for Business and Finance William E. Davies.
“The Knott Academic Center’s enhancements usher in a new era of teaching and learning that furthers the Mount’s mission of creating ethical leaders who lead lives of significance in service to God and others,” said President Trainor. “The Mount is experiencing student enrollment growth and academic program expansion, and this project assists us in increasing and enhancing learning spaces. I also expect the new building to encourage both the Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business and the College of Liberal Arts to develop more partnerships that support the curriculum.”
Expected to be completed by August 2022, the new construction and renovation project was made possible by the $33 million Forward! Together as One campaign that concluded in December 2020 as well as a state grant. Renovations will include increased co-curricular learning and collaborative spaces, expanded faculty offices, and upgraded infrastructure.
Marotta/Main Architects, based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, designed the addition and renovation plan. Construction is being managed by Morgan-Keller Construction, based in Frederick, Maryland.