He asked, “Is something like this possible in the state of Montana?”

Gamble and Mann told him, “Yes. It is not only possible, but necessary. “

Land directly south of Hannon Hall was dedicated to the project, and it has been set aside and protected from construction for years. The university has started raising money for the project, but construction costs have risen too quickly, according to Gamble.

By the time he retired in 2009, Gamble believed the building never would be. But once Cruzado became president of the university, she made sure the funds were raised and the building constructed, he said.

The $ 20 million building was fully funded by donors, according to MSU. Construction officially started in 2019.

Cruzado said that when she arrived at MSU, it became clear to her that she had an important mission to fulfill in order to advance the promise of the university.

“I thought, ‘Do you know what weighs over a ton of bricks?’ It’s when someone looks at you and says, “I believe in you and I know you’ll get there,” she said. “Today I feel like an incredible weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”

Sun Rhodes, who grew up on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, said he wished something could be built in Montana state when he was studying there 20 years ago, but he was still too early.