Officials at Montana State University-Billings celebrated Thursday a $1 million pledge from Dr. William Ballard and his wife, Merilyn, for its new science building.
The donation helps bridge the gap between funds raised for the Yellowstone Science and Allied Health Building and the contractor bid, according to the MSUB Foundation.
The university had initially removed features from the building, including finishes and fixtures and alternate building materials, to fill the $1.5 million gap from the bid by contractor TW Clark Construction.
The $1 million pledge help the university continue with plans to include research labs, informal learning spaces, and a greenhouse in the facility. The donation also reinstates finishes on features like flooring, and furniture into the project. The university can access these funds after exhausting other state and building funding.
Any excess funds after construction is complete will establish an endowment in the Ballards’ name.
