Ten years after opening its doors, the College of Business Administration continues to honor donors’ generosity through thoughtful care, strategic improvements and an enduring commitment to K-State students.
When the College of Business Administration building opened its doors a decade ago, it represented more than bricks, glass and steel. It was a promise to provide K-State students with an exceptional place to learn and prepare for their futures.
That promise was made possible through the generosity of visionary donors who believed in the power of business education. Today their investment continues to shape the student experience.
As the building reaches this milestone anniversary, the College of Business is making a series of significant improvements designed to preserve and strengthen the spaces that serve students and faculty every day.
A thoughtful approach to building stewardship
Buildings age. Technology changes. The spaces where students learn and connect need continued care to remain functional and ready for what comes next.
The College of Business has focused on a proactive approach, setting aside and thoughtfully using resources to maintain and enhance the facility. That commitment is supported by three key sources:
- A carry-forward fund: Each year, the college sets aside a portion of its operating budget in a dedicated carry-forward fund reserved specifically for building maintenance and improvements. This disciplined approach helps ensure that funding is available when needed without disrupting the college’s academic mission.
- The Building Sustainability Fund: Established through the generosity of philanthropic donors, the Building Sustainability Fund supports the long-term health of the facility. Gifts to the fund help extend the life and quality of the spaces where students learn, collaborate and grow.
- The business course technology fee: The college thoughtfully uses the business course technology fee to modernize and maintain the technological infrastructure that helps keep the building at the forefront of business education.
Together, these resources help ensure that the building continues to function and feel like the premier facility its donors envisioned.
Building improvements at a glance
The results of this three-part approach can be seen throughout the building. From classroom technology to well-traveled gathering spaces, the improvements reach nearly every corner of the facility.
Advancing our technology
- Technology is being refreshed in four classrooms and two conference rooms.
- The building’s stock ticker is being replaced with a modern display that is easier to program and capable of showing a broader range of content. It is also designed to sleep when not in use, helping extend its lifespan and reduce energy consumption.
- The faculty research server is being upgraded with modern hardware to support cutting-edge scholarship.
- Digital signage is being replaced and expanded throughout the building.
- Additional security cameras are being installed to improve coverage and safety for everyone who uses the facility.
Refreshing the spaces we share
- First-floor carpeting is being replaced in the most-traveled areas, giving the building a fresh foundation.
- Public-facing spaces, including all classrooms, are receiving a fresh coat of paint.
- The atrium and management information systems (MIS) suite are receiving updated furniture, creating more modern and functional environments for students and visitors.
- The atrium, exterior areas and study rooms are receiving updated lighting and switches.
Maintaining what matters
- Restroom faucets and internal plumbing components are being replaced to improve reliability and efficiency.
- Larger trash receptacles are being added throughout the building.
- A thorough deep cleaning will follow the completion of the renovation work.
Some of these changes will be easy to spot. Others will quietly work behind the scenes. Together, they will help preserve the quality and functionality of the building for everyone who walks through its doors.
A thank you to the original donors
None of this would be possible without the founding gifts that brought this building to life. A decade later, that generosity continues to reinforce the college’s future. Every technology upgrade and refreshed classroom and carefully maintained space reflects a commitment to honoring that original vision.
The care invested in the facility is a direct reflection of the respect the college has in donor generosity and their belief in what the College of Business could become.
Protecting an investment in students
The Building Sustainability Fund helps ensure that this commitment continues for years to come. Through thoughtful stewardship and ongoing philanthropic support, the college is protecting an investment that benefits every student who walks through its doors.
The College of Business Administration building is a living example of what’s possible when a community invests in education and remains committed to caring for that investment for generations to come.
To learn more about supporting the Building Sustainability Fund, contact Matt LaGree.