A century ago, the foundations were laid for what would become a beloved Pittsburg landmark — a grand vision brought to life by influential local businessmen and backed by the generosity of citizens and the Chamber. Though time took its toll, leaving the building vacant and in disrepair, a new chapter is beginning. Renovation of Hotel Besse is underway, ensuring its legacy for generations to come.

Pittsburg State University, a longtime leader in using an approach based in science to help students struggling to read, now will play an active role in helping to retrain classroom teachers and train soon-to-be teachers in using that approach. 

Pittsburg State University now owns the site at Second and Broadway on which the new Kelce College of Business will be built, and Crossland Construction has been chosen in a design-build process.

Sure, Pittsburg State is the only university in the nation with a Gorilla mascot. But Pitt State has another bragging right: many academic programs and partnerships also are unique.

Standing in the Sullivan Courtyard of the Kansas Technology Center of Pittsburg State University on Saturday morning, Chris Schnurbusch, a Pitt State graduate and regional president at Crossland Construction, experienced a full-circle moment.