NEIU celebrated the opening of its new College of Business and Management building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that was held on Tuesday, October 27 at the new building, which previously was known as Building A. A reception, tours of the building, and ribbon-cuttings for individual rooms that were underwritten by donors were held immediately following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Donors to the University have the opportunity to name a room in the College of Business and Management building. Thus far, four rooms have been named: a faculty office was underwritten by NEIU Foundation member Betty Rocci and her husband, Joe Rocci, in honor of Bernard J. Brommel, professor emeritus, speech and performing arts; a second faculty office was underwritten by COBM Dean Amy Hietapelto and her husband, Roger Reinsch, professor, accounting, business law, and finance, in memory of Nicholas M. Pierce; a breakout room was named for Lois Ruth Appel and underwritten by her friends and family; and a tutoring room was named the Tom Dalof Heroes Room and underwritten by friends and family of Dalof.

With the help of the Illinois Capital Development Board, the building was completed and opened in August 2009, after nearly two years of renovation. The 37,000-square-foot facility was designed by a team led by Ross Barney Architects, and the general contractor was Joseph Construction Company.

Jim Riemer, executive director of the Capital Development Board, which manages all state-funded, non-road construction projects, said, "The new College of Business and Management Building project was a great opportunity to create jobs and economic opportunities for the State of Illinois and enhance the educational facilities at Northeastern Illinois University. It is a great example of Governor Pat Quinn's commitment to make education more accessible and to keep improving the state's economy."

The building was designed for the College of Business and Management's departments and programs. The building now houses the Dean of the College; the Accounting, Business Law, and Finance Department; the Management and Marketing Department; and Student Advisement. Light-filled faculty offices enclose the entire perimeter of the building. In addition to these offices, the building has many other features especially beneficial to students including five high-tech classrooms, wireless internet throughout, a case study room, a computer lab, and a large, open, skylight-lit, student-centered gathering area in the heart of the building.

Amy Hietapelto, dean, College of Business and Management, said of the building, "Thanks to its innovative design, the faculty and students are enjoying a collaborative, student-centered environment that also enables the college to deliver a superior learning experience using sophisticated instructional technologies."

Walter Dudycz, chair, NEIU Board of Trustees; Amy Hietapelto, dean, COBM; Sharon Hahs, NEIU President; and Karen Fredrickson, Regional Director, Illinois Capital Development Board