Construction Plans Approved for UF’s Center for Student Life and College of Business
The University of Findlay is excited to announce that its Board of Trustees today approved detailed plans for constructing the Center for Student Life and College of Business building, which is expected to become a fundamental and dynamic campus hub for collaborative and engaged learning.
Site preparation has begun, and construction on the building itself is expected to begin in April and to be completed in three phases within the next two years in the 300 block of College Street. The 75,000-square-foot facility will be surrounded by expanded parking and functional, attractive and environmentally sustainable landscaping, which factors into the total project cost of $23 million.
Completion is slated for late summer 2017, in time for the start of the fall semester.
“The new Center for Student Life and College of Business will provide a state-of-the-art learning environment and a venue that will encourage engagement among students and faculty,” explained Pamela K.M. Beall ‘78, the project’s fundraising chair and Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning and Strategy for MPLX, a publicly traded master limited partnership and an affiliate of Marathon Petroleum Corporation. “The investment in this new facility underscores the commitment by the University of Findlay to build on its strong reputation for a quality education,” she said.
University of Findlay President Katherine, Fell, Ph.D., feels the community as well as the University will benefit from the new construction.
“The Center for Student Life and College of Business will provide an opportunity for future collaboration with our community and area companies,” Fell emphasized. “The additional space and innovative learning areas open the door to shared initiatives that could move Findlay, Hancock County and the University forward.”
Funded with private donations and financing, the building is designed to foster innovative learning and collaboration, particularly for UF’s College of Business students, faculty and staff, which will relocate from Old Main. Labs, lecture halls, meeting rooms, auditoriums and offices are designed to inspire creativity and success. Additionally, open spaces with flexible seating, along with diverse dining options, will be featured.
The building’s first floor will house a campus communications center, food court, central gathering space, a student leadership development suite, a campus leadership room, a bookstore and office space for the Center of Civic Engagement.
The second floor will include an investment trading room, computer lab, two grand auditoriums, a board conference/seminar room, four classrooms, two creative learning centers, two conference rooms, a Dana Chair board room, a “Big Ideas” incubator lab, the College of Business dean’s suite and all offices for COB faculty and staff.
In addition to housing the University’s College of Business, the building will also serve as a gathering place for other academic programs, and as a platform and venue for campus and community arts and entertainment.
Fundraising for the project began in 2013 with the expansion of UF’s Give Voice to your Values campaign.
Lecture halls, labs, learning and research locations will serve as integral learning spaces that will best prepare students to work and live in today’s ever-increasing global economy. Common areas, dining and outdoor areas will also become popular destinations, forever changing the ways that students, faculty, staff and visitors experience campus.
“This facility will enhance the quality of life on campus and it is an investment in our vibrant community and the future of our regional workforce,” said Beall.
A public groundbreaking ceremony will be held on March 31. More event details will be released soon.