Evangel earns developer of the year honors

The school was named Developer of the Year by the Springfield Contractors Association.

“The last decade has indeed been a time of tremendous change on this campus,” Evangel President Robert Spence said. “There’s probably more going on here than what you would find at schools our size.”

About $42.9 million has been invested in new construction since 1997, according to Evangel Director of Public Relations Paul Logsdon. Major projects at the North Glenstone campus include the $8.3 million Zimmerman Hall academic building in 1997, the $9 million Barnett Fine Arts Center in 2002 and the $9.5 million Trask Hall academic building in 2005.

A challenge for the school has been in updating buildings that served as soldier barracks during World War II, Spence said. The last of those visible from Glenstone Avenue were demolished in July to make way for an administration building. One final 1940s-era building remains and is housing administration employees in the interim.

“We’re trying to bring those (buildings) into a better state of utility for the sake of our students,” Spence said. “The sooner, the better.”

Project of the Year

Another project deeply rooted in history also earned accolades at the Salute banquet.

SCA awarded its Project of the Year honor to Christ Episcopal Church, which recently finished a 16,000-square-foot addition at 601 E. Walnut. Final details of a 12,000-square-foot remodel of the original 1870 building also are nearing completion.

Wally Munden, president of Scurlock Industries and member of the church’s building committee, accepted the award on the church’s behalf.

The project had been in the plans for 30 years, Munden said, but construction began about a year and a half ago when the church finished raising the necessary $4 million in private funds.

The church, with a design team from Marshall Waters Woody Architecture & Planning and general contractor Morelock-Ross Builders, was dedicated to staying true to the church’s unique architecture.

The woodwork of the addition matches the woodwork of the original building. Stone was quarried and brought in from out-of-state to match an addition built in 1928. And when workers began removing the ceiling of some of the church’s classrooms, they discovered exposed ceiling joists that indicated the area of the building had once been a parish hall.

“The consequence was that we revamped the planned layout of the building to take advantage of that historical and attractive area,” Munden said, adding that the choir room and chapel intended for the area were moved upstairs, and the classrooms were moved downstairs.

Other awards

Christ Episcopal Church nabbed a second SCA award; Doug Thornton of Jerry Bennett Masonry was named Craftsman of the Year by the American Institute of Architects. Thornton accepted on behalf of the Thornton family, which was responsible for the stonework at the church.

AIA also named its Superintendent of the Year: Leonard Gass of DeWitt & Associates, for work as superintendent of the College Station Car Park in downtown Springfield. That project is slated for completion in late November.

Two women in the local construction sector were recognized for their longtime contributions to the industry.

The National Association of Women in Construction’s local chapter gave its Vesta Award – for 10 or more years in the sector – to Karrie Smith, and its Rosebud Award – for 10 or fewer years in the sector – to Heather Weigel.

Smith is business manager at Sapp Design Associates and has been in the construction industry for 22 years, according to Stacey Bailey of Howard Bailey Co. and president of NAWIC’s local chapter.

Weigel is with Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc. and is on the project staff for Springfield-Branson National Airport’s midfield terminal.

The NAWIC awards have been given locally for five years.

Tribute to the Trade

Developer of the Year, presented by Springfield Contractors Association – Evangel University

Project of the Year, presented by SCA – Christ Episcopal Church

Craftsman of the Year, presented by American Institute of Architects – Doug Thornton, of Jerry Bennett Masonry

Superintendent of the Year, presented by AIA – Leonard Gass, of DeWitt & Associates

Vesta Award, presented by National Association of Women in Construction – Karrie Smith, of Sapp Design Associates

Rosebud Award, presented by NAWIC – Heather Weigel, of Reynolds, Smith and Hills Inc.

Source: Salute to Construction