The Richard Ivey Building officially opens its doors

LONDON, ON, Sept. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - The Ivey Business School at Western University turned a page in its 90 year history of leadership in business education today with the official opening of the new Richard Ivey Building that reflects its vibrant future. The 274,000-square foot state-of-the-art facility brings together more than 1500 students, faculty and staff under one roof. The new building located on Western Road will reunite HBA, MBA, MSc and PhD programs promoting a strong culture of collaboration, enabling the development of cutting-edge academic research and furthering the development of Canada's future business leaders.

"It became clear to us several years ago that we needed an inspiring, world-class facility that would reunite the Ivey community spread over five different locations if we were to continue to attract the best and brightest students and faculty," said Ivey Dean Carol Stephenson. "Today that vision became a reality."

Amit Chakma, Western University's President & Vice-Chancellor, said the new facility reflects the School's commitment to providing a world-renowned business education.

"The new Richard Ivey Building is a tangible symbol of the progress the Ivey Business School and Western University have made over the decades. It reflects the stature of the School on the global stage," he said.

Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and with construction managed by the EllisDon Corporation, the building finds its architectural inspiration from a geological structure called a geode and meets LEED Gold certified construction standards. Some of the building features include:

• 640-seat BMO Financial Group Auditorium
• 20 classrooms designed for Ivey's case-method style of learning
• 52 traditional breakout rooms
• C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library
• Brock Pavilion dining hall
• Leading edge teaching and learning technology
• Home to Ivey's Cross-Enterprise Leadership Centres and Research Institutes

At today's official opening not only were we joined by Ivey's student body, faculty and staff, but also by our federal and provincial government partners and many of our distinguished alumni all who have made significant contributions toward the building. The $110-million facility received $25 million in funding provided by the Government of Canada's Knowledge Infrastructure Program and $25 million through the Ontario Government's 2009 Budget as part of efforts to help modernize facilities and boost long-term research and skills training capacity. Western University provided $22.5 million and $37.5 million came through private sector support.

"We are thrilled that this world-class facility bears the Ivey name. It acknowledges the vision of my grandfather, Richard G. Ivey, who believed business education was a vital field of study for the 20^th century," said Richard W. Ivey, HBA '72. "The new Richard Ivey Building establishes the Ivey Business School as a leader in business education in the 21^st century."

About the Ivey Business School, Western University
The Ivey Business School (www.ivey.ca) at Western University is Canada's leading provider of relevant, innovative and comprehensive business education. Drawing on extensive research and business experience, Ivey faculty provide the best classroom experience, equipping graduates with the skills and capabilities they need to tackle the leadership challenges in today's complex business world. Ivey offers world-renowned undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as Executive Development at campuses in London (Ontario), Toronto and Hong Kong.

SOURCE: Ivey Business School