CBA unveils plans for new building complex

FIU’s College of Business Administration (CBA) paid tribute to the “stars” who have contributed to the success of the university and the rise in prominence of its business school with an “Evening of Stars” held on the Ryder Business Building’s front lawn on March 10.

Hosted by Telemundo 51 anchor and FIU alumnus Ivan Taylor, the occasion was attended by some 500 contributors, students, faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, boards, councils of the university, area business and political leaders, donors and friends. FIU President Modesto A. Maidique and CBA Executive Dean Joyce J. Elam presided over the event. To mark the milestone occasion, guests were treated to an exclusive concert featuring FIU’s own Nestor Torres and the FIU Jazz Band accompanied by a buffet dinner sponsored by Outback Steakhouse.

During the celebration, guests received a first glimpse, through a computer-generated virtual tour, of the latest bright star at the university – the new, state-of-the-art business building complex which will grace the campus in the near future.

“We are excited and proud of this building project that, once completed, will foster a sense of pride among our constituents,” said Elam. “The structure has been designed to incorporate technology and foster hands-on learning and interaction among students and with professors – important elements to allow us to offer interactive learning and to develop effective business leaders.”

The complex will feature four buildings:

• Commons Hall:
  This structure will house the Executive Board Room that projects out into a pinnacle and overlooks the entire complex. It will feature student spaces, study rooms and a coffee shop.
• Student Hall:
  The Admissions and Career Services Offices will be located on the first floor and upstairs will be a multipurpose center to be used for both large and small gatherings. The Courtyard features landscaping and student areas for interaction, relaxation and studying. Running water will be integrated into the free-flowing space.
• Academic Hall:
  This structure features 60-person, tiered classrooms; collaborative learning classrooms; study rooms; computer and research laboratories; and a 300-seat auditorium that can be converted into a 75-seat, tiered classroom.
• Faculty and Research Center Hall:
  This portion of the building encases a Faculty Courtyard and provides another entrance to the complex on the south side. It will house faculty offices, instructional and technology spaces and administrative offices for the College’s research centers.

In conjunction with the unveiling of its plans, CBA officially launched its “Building for Business” campaign to raise public funds in the amount of $15 million and also recognized its existing major donors, including lead donor R. Kirk Landon, for whose generous gift the College named the R. Kirk Landon Undergraduate School of Business. Alvah H. Chapman, Jr., was recognized for his donation in October 2001 with the naming of the Alvah H. Chapman, Jr. Graduate School of Business.

People interested in contributing to the Building for Business campaign and leaving a legacy on the wall of recognition to be displayed in the new building complex are urged to visit http://cba.fiu.edu or contact Annabelle Rojas at 305-348-3339.

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