Fall brings fresh energy to Bozeman, and this year Montana State University has even more to celebrate. Recent building openings are creating new spaces for computing, the arts, nursing and agricultural research, while MSU has welcomed the largest student population in its history.
For those of us who call the Gallatin Valley home, these milestones highlight the university’s connection to the people, industries and communities of Montana.
Gianforte Hall Brings Computing and Creativity Together
MSU celebrated the grand opening of Gianforte Hall on September 10, 2026. The nearly 58,000-square-foot building houses the Gianforte School of Computing alongside film and photography and music technology programs from the College of Arts and Architecture.
Inside, students have access to a film studio, production classrooms, a music technology classroom and a recording studio. Bringing these disciplines together creates opportunities for collaboration across technology and the arts.
The building also introduces a new approach to campus construction. Gianforte Hall is MSU’s first mass timber building, using engineered wood for its primary structural elements. Its connection to the South Campus Energy District allows interconnected buildings to share thermal energy for heating and cooling. These sustainability features are expected to help the building achieve LEED Silver certification.
image courtesy of montana.gov
Jones Hall Opens a New Chapter for Nursing Education
On September 18, 2026, MSU celebrated the grand opening of Jones Hall, the new Bozeman home for the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing.
The approximately 28,000-square-foot building includes classrooms, a foundation skills room and simulation spaces where students practice adult, pediatric and labor-and-delivery care using realistic patient manikins. Study rooms, gathering spaces and an outdoor terrace round out a facility designed around students’ daily needs. Instruction began there this fall.
Jones Hall is one of five new nursing education buildings across Montana made possible by a $101 million gift from Mark and Robyn Jones. The statewide investment is designed to expand MSU’s nursing graduate capacity, helping prepare more nurses to serve Montana communities.
A New Facility Supports Montana Agriculture
The campus’s recent additions also reflect Montana’s agricultural roots. The Combined State Laboratories building celebrated its opening on July 17, 2026.
The facility brings together the Montana Department of Livestock’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, the Montana Department of Agriculture’s Analytical Lab and the MSU Wool Lab. Their work supports animal disease diagnostics, agricultural testing and wool research, providing resources for producers, researchers and students.
The shared facility replaces aging laboratory spaces and supports research, education, outreach and testing services for Montana agriculture. It is a reminder that the work happening in Bozeman reaches well beyond the Gallatin Valley.
MSU Sets a New Enrollment Record
Alongside these building openings, MSU announced record enrollment for fall 2026: 17,477 students, a 1.8% increase over fall 2025.
The university also welcomed its largest incoming first-year class, with 3,970 students. Montana residents account for 8,735 students, and MSU continues to enroll more Montana residents than any other college or university in the state.
These numbers represent thousands of students pursuing their next chapter, whether through research, creative work, healthcare education or career-focused training.
A Campus Connected to the Community
We see these investments as an encouraging part of Bozeman’s future. Spaces that support learning, collaboration and workforce preparation strengthen the connections between the university and the communities it serves. Whether you are a longtime Bobcat supporter, a new resident or considering a move to the Gallatin Valley, MSU’s latest milestones offer another reason to appreciate the opportunities here.
Thinking about making Bozeman home? ERA Landmark’s local real estate professionals can help you explore the community and find a home that fits your next chapter.
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