State Tech president's home almost done

State Technical College of Missouri President Shawn Strong shows the work contractors and STU students have performed in the president's house, located just east of the college in Linn.
State Technical College of Missouri President Shawn Strong shows the work contractors and STU students have performed in the president's house, located just east of the college in Linn.

LINN - Although he's been on the job for a year, State Technical College of Missouri President Shawn Strong and his family just now are getting ready to move into the president's official home.

Because the home, now known as "Eagle Manor," should be finished in a month or two - just two years after the college first acquired part of the Eugene Blackburn farm now called "Eagle Acres."

The school later took control of all of the 110-acre farm, just east of State Tech's main campus in Linn.

"There's a little seclusion there, but it's close enough to campus that we can have a social activity after an institutional function," Strong told the News Tribune, "or, have a social activity before a college function.

"You could actually park on campus and we could walk from our student housing down to the house."

Regents President John Klebba told the News Tribune: "It will give us an opportunity to do more on-campus entertainment with some of our industry partners. It (helps) some of our students really interact with the president and his family, on campus."

Both Klebba and Strong noted the newly renovated home will provide an entertainment opportunity not available in Osage County.

"Given the fact that we don't have a lot of places in (Linn) to do those kinds of things," Klebba explained, "the fact that we'll have something on campus where we can bring people on campus, keep them on campus - especially industry partners and people who are recruiting our students - I think we'll have a real long-term benefit for the college."

The president's new home is the old farmhouse, mainly built in the 1950s with additions over the years.

Except for the upstairs space, the home has been gutted and is being rebuilt.

Brad Crede, State Tech's facilities manager, told the Board of Regents much of the work has been done by college students and employees.

"We've completed the framing, rough electrical, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork) and insulation on exterior and interior walls," he said. "The siding, soffit, facia and gutters should be done (this) week. We look to get it wrapped up by the end of August."

Strong told the News Tribune he also has been working on the project, including some of the demolition work and the new framing.

"(When I was) at Missouri State University, I was the department head of technology and construction management for about 15 years," he explained. "I love construction. It's been fun and enjoyable to play a big part in this."

State Tech first acquired a half-interest in the Blackburn farm in February 2015, and later acquired full ownership.

Don Claycomb, who was the school's president for 23 years, explained in 2015 that State Tech initially paid $267,500 for the half-interest in the 110 acres of farmland.

"Acquiring access to the Blackburn property fits the State Technical College mission of preparing students for profitable employment and a life of learning," Claycomb said.

A year ago, as Claycomb was retiring and Strong was getting ready to take over the college presidency, the regents decided that renovating the old farmhouse was the best option they had for the building.

They originally planned to renovate an old garage near the house to be a meeting center, but later decided to raze that building and erect a new one.

A patio between the house and new building, being called "Eagle's Nest," offers a space for outdoor entertaining, Strong and Crede noted during the Friday morning property tour.