By Cody Shepard, The Enterprise (Brockton)
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Within a few years, students in Bridgewater State University's education and health sciences program will be studying in a newly renovated Burnell Hall.
Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito visited the university on Monday to announce that the state is investing $25 million for the renovation of Bridgewater State's Burnell Hall for the College of Education and Health Sciences.
The university has committed an additional $14.1 million toward the renovation, for a total project cost of $39.1 million.
“The renovation of Burnell Hall represents one of the most significant building projects in the last 50 years,” Bridgewater State President Frederick W. Clark Jr. said.
The project will be done in phases and is expected to be completed within four years.
Bridgewater State considers itself the "education hub of Massachusetts," graduating more teachers than any university in the state. Burnell Hall is home to the university's education program.
"The Burnell renovation will address critical workforce needs, including a projected nationwide shortage of 200,000 teachers by 2025," the university said in a statement.
The renovation project will also allow Bridgewater State to expand enrollment in its College of Education and Health Sciences by nearly 10 percent in high-growth fields of education and health care.
"The Burnell Hall project will also create space on campus for in-demand health science programs," the university's statement says. "Health care represents the largest sector of the state economy. In Southeastern Massachusetts, demand for health care professionals is increasing dramatically: over the next decade, there is projected growth of 25 percent for physical therapists, 28 percent for physical therapist assistants, 27 percent for occupational therapist assistants, and 16 percent for public health professionals – all positions for which BSU is training students."
Jessica Moore, a member of the university's Class of 2022, said she can already see the importance of the renovated building.
“It’s going to benefit the future teachers,” Moore, an early childhood education and psychology major from Wilmington, said. “Therefore, it’s going to benefit my children and grandchildren.”
The College of Education and Health Sciences is currently spread across several university buildings. The renovation will provide a true home for the program.
“In the academic programs that will be housed in this updated facility, students will be able to work toward in-demand degrees and licenses in fields like occupational and physical therapy and public health,” Baker said. “We’re excited to see this project come together and look forward to seeing the many benefits it will ... deliver for Bridgewater State University and the region.”
The university said the renovation project will rationalize the use of space throughout the entire campus for decades and save nearly $27 million in deferred maintenance and reduce the college's building inventory.
“Any benefit for teachers is a benefit for students in Massachusetts, which is amazing,” said Morghan Smith, an elementary education and English major from Brockton who is in the Class of 2022.