MSU architect to retire

Photo courtesy Missouri State University

Doug Sampson

Doug Sampson, Missouri State University’s architect and director of planning, design and construction, is winding down his 27-year career at the university with a planned March 23 retirement.

MSU is scheduled to host a retirement reception for Sampson at 1 p.m. on March 22. The event will be held at Foster Family Recreation Center, according to an e-newsletter sent to Springfield Contractors Association members.

“After 10,005 days on campus, my last day in the office will be March 23, just over a week from now,” Sampson said via email this morning. “It has been very gratifying after working on a project for several years — from design through construction — to hear a student say they selected Missouri State to attend because their major was in a building that we worked so hard on to make it a positive experience for everyone.”

Sampson is credited with leading MSU toward the completed construction of its Welcome Center, Foster Family Recreation Center, the newly expanded Glass Hall and JQH Arena, among other projects, according to MSU’s website. In a 2014 Springfield Business Journal article, Sampson said Strong Hall was one of the larger projects that stood out in his mind, as well as an addition to Meyer Library that put the Jane A. Meyer Carillon tower in place.

“MSU could not have accomplished what we have without the help of the contractors in southwest Missouri,” he said in the email.

His work helped MSU earn the Developer of the Year award in 2014 during the annual Salute to Design and Construction banquet. The award recognized the completion of 75 projects valued at more than $53 million during a 12-month period, according to SBJ archives.

Sampson also spearheaded MSU’s campus visioning guide on future developments, and he was responsible for MSU receiving numerous other awards, including the 2014 Design Award from the AIA Central State Regions for the Foster recreation center, according to the MSU website.

“One of the facts that I am most proud of is our projects have been recognized for design excellence over 40 times during my tenure here,” Sampson said.