Jaylen Carr – Editor-in-Chief
From two-time Grammy winner Jeff Baxter to Gov. Ned Lamont and Interim President Dwyane Smith giving their opening remarks during the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new School of Business building, students and faculty members are ready to embark on new learning opportunities for years to come.
“There is nothing better than graduating Southern with a business degree from this amazing institution,” Gov. Lamont said. “When you walk into that building, I think it is all about opportunity, and when you walk into the building, it is all about respect.”
Lamont said he hopes when the business students graduate from the university, they can stay in Connecticut and help the state grow.
“It is the beginning of a new generation,” Jess Boronico, the Dean of the School of Business, said. “It is a facility that will allow us to educate students in ways that weren’t possible before.”
Smith said the university has undergone many changes, such as the new College of Health and Human Services facility. The net-zero School of Business building has 1,500 square foot community rooms and eight classrooms seating 30-40 students.
“It is twice the size of the former building,” Smith said. “It offers the latest in technology and a wonderful array of learning opportunities for our scholars — equipping them with the skills and knowledge they will need to become leaders both in business and society.”
The new building is the first to be constructed by the State of Connecticut, which is net zero energy in terms of carbon footprint, meaning that it will help the communities’ air quality for years.
The new building and technology will provide opportunities to help the community, Boronico said.
“The learning spaces are diverse,” Boronico said. “There are a lot of different ways that students can access technology and access spaces — in terms of a behavioral laboratory, a Bloomberg laboratory.”
There are many learning and interview spaces for students to use to help them with their studies, Boronico said.
The construction cost of $4.6 million helped build 64,000 square feet building featuring a 100-seat multiple-purpose auditorium and case study classrooms, with stadium-style seating. Outside the first floor of the building, it has a stock market ticker displaying a live feed of the stock market.
“There is so much to be proud of,” Terrence Cheng, the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities chancellor, said. “This is such a spectacular building.”
Cheng said the building represents impact and investment. “It is a symbol of what this state, this university and this system can, should be and is when the state invests in its institution.”
The Commissioner of Connecticut State Department of Administrative Services, DAS, Michelle Gilman, said this building would not be built without legislators and Gov. Lamont’s commitment to creating student opportunities.
“The building is 100% electric,” Gilman said. “We anticipate a 214 metric ton reduction in CO2 emissions.” Lowering CO2 can help save lives and reduce unhealthy air quality.
Mechanical engineering major José Ramon, a sophomore, said the building is impressive even though he is not a business major.
“The looks, the rooms in there is perfect, “Presidential Student Ambassador Ramon said. “They have special stuff going on in there.”
Senior Department Specialist State of Connecticut Board Member Lindy Lee Gold said it is an exciting day for the university, specifically for the students.
“We are not only investing in them, but we are investing in our own enlightened self-interest to nurture them for the good of the community and the region,” Gold said.
