Written by Kelly Stenka
Two major projects are reshaping campus life and the student experience: a new Performing Arts Center and a new Academic Building. Together, they reflect Doane’s continued investment in creativity, innovation and student success.
Performing Arts Center
The most visible progress is happening at the site of the Performing Arts Center. The first phase of the project, the music wing addition, is expected to be completed by mid-summer 2026. The addition will provide rehearsal rooms, practice studios and performance support spaces designed to meet the needs of music students and faculty.
The second phase, which includes the theatre portion of the facility, is projected to be completed by fall of 2026. Overall, the full Performing Arts Center is expected to be completed by December 2026.
“The theater addition is really starting to take shape right now,” said Brian Flesner, director of facilities operations and construction projects. “It changes shape by the day right now. It’s exciting to see it come together.”
For students who have shared or adapted existing spaces, the new facility offers areas created specifically for collaboration, instruction and performance. It positions the Performing Arts Center as a hub for music, theatre and dance, and as a gathering place for campus and community events.
New Academic Building
Planning also continues for the new Academic Building. The project is currently in the conceptual design phase. The next step is to complete full design and documentation later this year, a process expected to take eight to nine months. Groundbreaking is targeted for summer 2027, with completion anticipated around summer 2029 as part of a roughly two-year construction timeline. Both the Academic Building and Performing Arts Center are funded through donations.
The Academic Building will serve as a hub for programs in business, computing, engineering and mathematics and data analytics, bringing those high-demand disciplines together under one roof. Designed to encourage collaboration and hands-on learning, the facility will feature modern classrooms, specialized labs and shared spaces that support interdisciplinary work and real-world problem-solving.
For faculty members like Cale Stolle, Ph.D., associate professor of engineering and physics, the new space represents both continuity and momentum.
“With the new facility, Doane's engineering program gets to advance its proven history of excellence,” Stolle said. “Doane will have dedicated spaces to better hone the skills, knowledge and experience that students gain as they grow in expertise in engineering.”
The new building will provide cutting-edge facilities and collaborative spaces, creating the capacity to more than double enrollment in business, computing, engineering and mathematics and data analytics. University leaders expect the investment to enhance student engagement, strengthen retention and prepare graduates for successful careers in high-demand fields.
While renderings and steel beams define the present moment, the long-term impact will be measured in student achievement. These additions to campus are the foundation for the next generation of leaders.
