IM Circle, home of the Department of Kinesiology, received important renovations in 2016. Included are a new faculty office suite and an undergraduate athletic training teaching lab. State-of-the-art technology—including “SimMan,” a full-size patient simulator—gives Michigan State University scholars and students a specialized space to put their research into practice and to develop their skills.
“The new lab has allowed us to introduce a new course for our freshmen students, which includes lab-based experiences,” said Alan Smith, chair of the department. “This has allowed us to offer hands-on course experiences earlier in the program … giving our students ready access to resources.”
The more than 3,000 square feet of renovations are part of a larger effort to update IM Circle. The Department of Kinesiology has overseen several renovations in recent years—converting old locker rooms and other spaces into areas for enriched research and learning opportunities.
With the 2016 expansions comes room for additional faculty to grow and diversify department activities, including two new hires for the 2016-17 academic year.
“Our transformational efforts represent the next chapter in a long history of advancing the well-being of the campus and broader community. We are educating leaders in educational, sport and clinical arenas, and conducting internationally leading research,” said Smith.
The most recent renovations also align with the centennial celebration of IM Circle. Both the building and the department (established in 1899), have had an impact on the college and the university’s legacy—and with these and continuing improvements, will continue to do so for years to come.
On the web
For more photos of students learning in the renovated IM Circle space, go to our Flickr page: flickr.com/msucollegeofed