[Editor’s Note: For the extended version of this story see Friday’s edition of The Chart.]

The AT&T logo will hang above the bookstore sign once construction is complete in the Beimdiek Recreation Center.

Kevin Vossen, director of external affairs for AT&T, presented a check for $100,000 to the University on Nov. 12 for technology improvements in the center including wireless upgrades and audio-visual equipment for the theater area.

Dr. Bruce Speck, university president, said he was pleased with the community involvement and the investment it represents to students students.

“Missouri Southern is not an island unto itself,” Speck said. “We are property of the community. We are, in many ways, a lighthouse for this community.”

The gift funds part of the estimated $298,000 in improvement and changes to Billingsly Student Center and the Beimdiek Recreation Center.

“As we were designing that project it became evident that we were going to have to ramp up our technology services in that building to give the services that we wanted to give to students,” said Dwight Douglas, chairman of the Board of Governors.

“We’re going to increase the cable access in many of the rooms and conference rooms and offices in the Beimdiek Recreation Center and increase cell phone access so students will have plenty of lines to use when they’re using our facility either exercising or whatever.