Allan Castro, a painter with A.T. Construction, uses a sprayer to paint the ceiling of the new business building at Lee University in Cleveland.The School of Business will be the latest addition to the Lee University campus beginning July 1 after a decision was made by the college’s board of directors to separate the Department of Business from the College of Arts and Sciences.
After Lee President Paul Conn presented the proposal to the board, a new business building came under construction, which is expected to be completed in late September as the final piece of the old First Baptist property to become part of campus.
The approximately 49,000- square-foot structure will be part of Lee’s south campus expansion, which also includes Pangle Hall, the Communication Arts Building, the School of Nursing, the Forum and Dirksen Row, a townhome unit for female students, according to Lee’s Assistant Vice President for Operations Cole Strong.
“We’re excited about the new building as well as being designated as a separate School of Business,” Department of Business Chair and future Dean of the School of Business Dewayne Thompson says. “It’s good for us that these two events are occurring at the same time and gives us quite a bit to be grateful for, thankful for and to celebrate.”
While features of the new building include a large lobby, investment center, tiered lecture facilities and new computers, Conn cited the growth of the business department as the primary reason for the transition into a separate School of Business.