One of the major assets to Wyoming economic development is the University of Wyoming, a powerhouse in research and a provider of knowledgeable workers for the state's employers.

One of the university’s major components recently underwent a significant $54 million expansion and renovation, with the College of Business adding 112,000 square feet to its existing building. UW also renovated 53,000 square feet of existing space, and the revitalized College of Business reopened its doors in August 2010 in time for the new academic year.

"This new facility will help our students achieve their goals and has been made possible by the extraordinary generosity of the Wyoming State Legislature,” says Tom Buchanan, University of Wyoming president.

Under One Roof, And Beyond

The renovation and expansion brought together all College of Business divisions, which were in different locations prior to the project, which also included upgrades to a building that hadn't seen any major construction since it opened in 1960.

“While the upgraded building is an integral part of the UW campus, its benefits are not limited by our geographical borders,” says Brent Hathaway, College of Business dean. “The building's technological advancements allow us to teach students here or throughout the state by using distance education capabilities such as online education and two-way video conferencing.”

Even a Stock Ticker

The building on UW's impressive Laramie campus features amenities such as a commodities trading room, behavioral and multimedia laboratories, an executive boardroom, conference and seminar rooms, an auditorium and the latest wired and wireless technologies. Those technologies include high-definition playback and projection systems in each classroom, a video production and editing facility, and video conferencing capabilities.

A centerpiece of the revamped College of Business is the Jonah Bank Atrium, which serves as a gathering spot for students and faculty, and is a showplace for scheduled college events. The atrium also accommodates financial data feeds and is equipped with a stock ticker.

“The College of Business now has a facility that reflects the excellence of our faculty, programs and students," Hathaway says. “It meets the educational needs of our 1,300 business majors, plus the 1,250 non-business students enrolled in business classes."

Green and Clean

Construction crews were also instructed to keep sustainability in mind during the building process. For example, 95 percent of the old materials were recycled to divert them from the local landfill, and 10 percent of the new building is made of recycled content.

“The university has made great strides during the last several years in construction processes to meet LEED standards,” Hathaway says.

UW College of Business

Founded: 1899

Business majors: 1,300

Non-business student enrollment: 1,250

Academic departments: Accounting, Economics and Finance, Management and Marketing

Majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Management and Marketing. The College of offers curricula in areas such as business administration, banking and financial services, entrepreneurship, international business and marketing communications

Advanced degrees: MBA, master's degrees in Accounting, Economics, Finance and doctorates in Economics and in Marketing

Facilities: The College of Business added 112,000 square feet of classroom and meeting space to its 53,000-square-foot main building in August 2010. Facilities include a trading room, behavioral and multi-media laboratories, an executive boardroom, conference and seminar rooms and an auditorium, the latest wired and wireless technologies including high-definition playback and projection systems in each classroom, a video production and editing facility, video conferencing capabilities, financial data feeds and a stock ticker in the atrium.