Morgan Breaks Ground on New Academic & Research Facility

MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY BREAKS GROUND ON NEW $79.4 MILLION STATE-OF-THE-ART ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH FACILITY

Martin D. Jenkins Behavioral and Social Sciences Center Slated for Summer 2017 Completion

Morgan State University today broke ground to begin construction on its new $79.4 million Martin D. Jenkins Behavioral and Social Sciences Center, a state-of-the-art academic and research facility made possible through partnership with the State of Maryland. As part of the university’s Phase II West Campus Expansion initiative, the new construction will add more than 148,000 square feet of additional classroom, laboratory, and office space accommodating six academic departments. Construction on the facility, which replaces the existing Jenkins building located on Morgan’s main academic quad, is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2017.

“The construction of this upgraded and multifunctional facility will increase Morgan’s ability to attract a diverse body of students, qualified faculty and additional research dollars, which in turn further enhances our status as a doctoral research institution,” said President David Wilson. “The instruction and access to resources made available in this type of experiential learning environment will be critical to giving our students the necessary skills to compete and excel in an ever competitive workforce.”

Located near the east end of the Northwood Shopping Center on Hillen Road and Argonne Drive, the completed five story building will feature classrooms, laboratories, research space, testing rooms, conference rooms, offices, study hall, and computer labs. In addition, the building will house the University’s College of Liberal Arts, Morgan’s largest school. It will include the departments of Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, Political Science, Economics, History and Geography. The current Jenkins facility was constructed in 1974 and will be demolished due to its age, functionality, and condition once the new building is complete.

The design of the new facility was completed by HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. Construction of the project was awarded to Barton Malow Company.

The Martin D. Jenkins Behavioral and Social Sciences Center is named for educator Martin D. Jenkins who served as Morgan’s president from 1948-1970. Jenkins, who died in1978, was lauded for his pioneering work in the field of education.

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie classified doctoral research institution offering more than 60 academic programs leading to bachelor’s degrees as well as programs at the master’s and doctoral levels. As Maryland’s public urban university, Morgan serves a multi-ethnic and multi-racial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information on Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

# # #

Contact: Clinton R. Coleman or Larry Jones, 443-885-3022