Big Ideas. Bold Plans. The Campaign for the University of Rhode Island has reached an important milestone, raising $200 million towards the $250 million goal. Our amazing alumni are driving the success of the University and the Campaign for URI.
This five-year campaign will give students and top scholars, including those at the College of Business, the tools to make a substantial difference in the world. One of the most critical tools for the College of Business community is the physical space where a majority of the learning occurs and students and faculty interact.
As enrollment continues to grow at the College of Business, there is an increased demand for more classroom space, collaborative areas, and technology labs. There is also a need for a student success center as well as flexible workspaces that allow for the natural interaction between faculty, students, corporate partners, and executives in residence.
That is why, as part of the Campaign, the College of Business is working towards funding a renovation and expansion of Ballentine Hall. The project will include 7,000 square feet of new space and 13,000+ square feet of existing space within Ballentine Hall. The expansion will be on the southern side of Ballentine looking out upon the historic Quad.
The plan also includes enhancements critically important to the College’s long-term growth and success such as a corporate partners space and offices for executives in residence; an advanced trading room; a business and artificial intelligence lab; a business prototyping lab; interactive classroom spaces; and an open lounge and lobby nooks for natural collaboration and interaction.
The initial design phase of the project costs $1.4 million, of which the College of Business has already raised more than $900,000. Now, two generous alumni are stepping forward to help us kick off this first step in the building project.
Funding for the design phase of the project is complete thanks, in part, to Kent Fannon ’74 and Diane Chace Fannon ’74 who issued a 1:1 matching grant up to $500,000 for gifts and pledges towards this phase of the project. The Fannon’s have supported career networking and events for students and have a passion for helping prepare students for professional success.
“This is a pivotal moment for the College of Business,” said Kent Fannon, “This renovation can bring in technological enhancements and make Ballentine an energetic, dynamic place where students congregate to see how the markets work and interact as they would in a business environment. We could not be more pleased to fuel this transformation.”
Once the building designs are finalized, the College will work towards securing the $17.5 million dollars needed for the building phase. We hope to break ground on the project in time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the College of Business in 2023.
More than just the aesthetic and structural changes of Ballentine Hall, this project addresses the College’s number one priority: preparing today’s students for the job and technology of tomorrow. “Our students are our highest priority. We have a responsibility to provide them a state-of-the art learning environment equipped with all the tools necessary to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow” says Maling Ebrahimpour, dean of the College of Business.
Help Us Renovate