It has been a journey that is difficult to fathom. To think that the McCarty Student Center would be able to transition from the cherished space it was, to the beautiful space it is now was a matter of faith. Faith… a word that is much misunderstood and maybe overused, but not by those affiliated with McCarty, and looking at this building it took a lot of it.
By 2009, an approximate 5-inch drop in the foundation of the back corner of the building had caused cracks in the brick wall and an opening of half an inch at the side doors of the then game/great room and the leaks were so bad that plants were strategically placed. A monumental decision was needed: 1. Tear the building down and start over, or 2. Correct the foundation and remodel. The cost of starting over would have been well over a million dollars. The McCarty Student Center Board of Directors chose to take the long and difficult road of repair and remodel.
Since that decision, repairs and remodels have included:
- 19 pillars to fix the foundation (2009)
- installation of the super structure steel roof (third roof in MSC history in 2014) and removal of the two old roofs
- conversion of the chapel, classroom, and closet into the new director and secretary offices, the new Jon & Kim Moore Library and new game room (2018)
- Connecting the old exterior walls to the new roof (2018)
- conversion of the old back office and library into the new enlarged ADA restrooms (2018-19)
- installation of the refurbished “dalle de vere” stained glass (2019)
- construction of the redesigned great room that takes up the space of the old game/great room plus the space of the old offices toward the front of the building (2020)
- installation of the flooring and new entry view open concept kitchen accented by old roofing 2x12s as an indoor pergola (2020-21)
- installation of the new front and side doors and windows (2021-22)
- New front porch and ADA sidewalks poured around the building and from the front doors to the street (2024)
- Stucco and stone wainscoting project on the exterior walls and the 14 columns (2025)
From this:
To this:
From this:
To this:
A 15-year plus endeavor that has been possible because of contributions from many reading this article amounting to over $600,000 during those years. Maybe it would have been easier to just tear it down and start over, but for us that have loved this place, the memories made here, the work for souls done here, honoring all that with volunteer expertise and hard work just means more! Thank you to all who have aided in any step toward the revitalization of this building. Thank you for making this a place where Texas State students will come, just like many did while at Southwest Texas State. A feeling of gratefulness and appreciation wells up in this author and for many readers who have a vested interest in the McCarty Student Center. Thank you seems less than adequate. There is more to be done, but now is a time to celebrate
On behalf of a very grateful Board of Directors,
David Underwood, Treasurer
McCarty Student Center Board of Directors