College of Business Administration Dean Charlie Hoffman shows off renderings for the new business building during a Business & Breakfast Series last month at Busch Stadium. (Photo by August Jennewein)
Charlie Hoffman struggles to contain his excitement and eagerness whenever he discusses the vision for the planned College of Business Administration building at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Hoffman, dean of the college, sees the forthcoming facility as a crucial asset to the St. Louis economy, and he’s not alone.
“This year we have some of our corporate friends helping us – Anheuser-Busch, Edward Jones, Enterprise and Express Scripts,” he said. “They see the need for this – the impact it will have on the region’s future work force and economic development and so they are reaching out to legislative leaders on our behalf.”
UMSL is seeking $10 million from the Higher Education Capital Fund in order to start construction later this year. The fund, created in 2012, allows universities to request matching government funds for new construction. The college has raised $18 million in private funds – $8 million of which are planned gifts.
The Missouri General Assembly will make a funding decision this spring.
Hoffman said construction on the $20 million facility would begin in December. Phase one will include a 50,000-square-foot, three-story-building. June 2016 is the target date for completion.
The rendering depicts a courtyard view of the future College of Business Administration building. (Click the image to enlarge.)
The new facility will feature:
• Trading room including Bloomberg terminals, a video wall and instructional seating
• A two-story business community room with an attached kitchen
• An open courtyard and interactive student areas
• Main-level student advising
The building will offer the latest in technology and foster student-learning experiences that the current facilities, which are spread across five buildings, cannot provide.
“This new building is not only essential for the region’s economic development. It’s also a recruitment and retention tool for the college,” Hoffman said. “Incoming students are looking for a business college that can provide them with the latest advances in technology and learning opportunities. This facility will do that.”
UMSL’s College of Business Administration has more than 26,830 alumni working throughout Missouri.
