The most student-centered, environmentally friendly facility on campus opens its doors to the public today to show off its cutting-edge technology and innovative teaching spaces.
The Charles H. Lundquist College of Business will celebrate the unveiling of the Lillis Business Complex after more than a year and a half of construction. Events include an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony in the building’s atrium, a free lunch and self-guided facility tours.
The $41-million complex, which spans more than 195,600 square feet, was built almost entirely with private funds.
“This has been the largest privately funded building at the University,” said Chris Murray, associate dean of external affairs in the business school. “It’s going to be a jewel on campus.”
The most prominent of the private gifts was a $14 million donation from MediaOne Group Chairman Chuck Lillis, who earned a Ph.D. from the University’s business college in 1972.
He and his wife, Gwen, also generated about $39 million in private support through fund-raising efforts, according to a University press release.
“Those who funded the project knew it was designed with students in mind,” Murray said.
The University’s decision to build the complex stemmed from a significant lack of space for classes in Gilbert Hall, where business courses were held before Lillis was constructed.
“The previous building was sized to accommodate for about a half of the students we served,” Murray said. “The overcrowding conditions were not ideal for the type of learning we want to promote here.”
Lillis holds 14 tiered case rooms and two large auditoriums, which have room for 200 and 300 people. In addition, the building has six learning centers that cluster student study areas and faculty offices around specific subjects, such as financing.
Murray said the best aspect of the building, however, is the amount of extra space outside of the classrooms, which he called “huddle zones.” The spaces, which are perfect for casual meetings, group projects and socializing, are scattered throughout the building and are easily accessible.
“There isn’t a lot of space for professors because all the amenities are for the students,” he said. “Lillis is a very student-friendly facility.”
Although business faculty and staff will move into the complex immediately, Murray said no business classes will be held in Lillis until Jan. 5 because technicians need a little more time to smooth out some technology kinks.
“The entire building incorporates cutting-edge technology,” he said. “We just need to work the bugs out.”
The complex’s four-story atrium also features teams of photovoltaic panels, which generate a portion of the facility’s electricity needs. Classrooms and offices can be used almost year-round without electric lighting while “smart” lighting adjusts to daylight levels and sensors turn off lights and other non-essential items. In addition, low-flow water fixtures have been installed, along with an “eco roof” that will use rain to grow beneficial vegetation, such as succulents.
Murray said people shouldn’t just see today’s celebration as the end of a long process.
“This is the beginning of everything we want to accomplish in this business school,” he said. “I’m beyond thrilled.”
Lillis program manager Mick Westrick said he has mixed feelings about the opening.
“I’ve worked hard to see this building finished, but it is also a culmination of the last two years of my life,” he said.
Westrick said less than 200 folding chairs are set up in front of the ceremony stage, though he expects twice as many people to attend throughout the day. One key factor that will help draw a big crowd after the ceremony is the free lunch, Westrick said.
“We’ve ordered 400 hot dogs and we’re servin’ ’em ’til they’re gone,” he said.
Those who can’t attend the ribbon cutting ceremony or the free lunch can embark on self-guided building tours all afternoon or follow small duck feet attached to the ground to different facility features.
As a key participant in this morning’s ceremony, University President Dave Frohnmayer said he is excited to be a part of the event.
“(Lillis) is both the product of the largest fund-raising effort for an academic building in our university’s history and a facility that literally grew out of the innovative curriculum of our Lundquist College of Business,” he said in a press release. “We will point to the Lillis Complex with pride for many years to come.”
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