University of Washington Foster School of Business Dedicates PACCAR Hall

SEATTLE, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Washington Foster School of Business dedicated today PACCAR Hall, the first phase of an expanding campus for the school. Hundreds of alumni, faculty, staff, and students joined with Seattle area business leaders to celebrate the occasion.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101015/DC83304)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101015/DC83304)

The 132,000 square foot, $95 million, privately funded building is expected to receive LEED Gold certification.

LMN Architects of Seattle designed PACCAR Hall to embody the Foster School's educational focus on leadership development, strategic thinking and collaboration.

PACCAR Hall was named in recognition of a major gift from PACCAR Inc, a Fortune 150 global technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. PACCAR is among the top five corporate donors to the University.

"The partnership between education and business is vitally important to our region," said Mark Pigott, PACCAR  chairman and chief executive officer. "PACCAR has a 105 year tradition of supporting education. The opening of PACCAR Hall at the Foster School of Business is a major step in the University of Washington's goal of being the leading public business school in the nation.  The school attracts world class faculty and outstanding students  and with PACCAR Hall, they have the facility that will develop leaders who will contribute in many fields internationally."

The new building features variable classroom sizes and designs, including 14 U-shaped tiered classrooms, a 250-seat auditorium, and 28 student breakout rooms. It also includes two floors of faculty offices as well as a soaring atrium with a cafe, and a fireplace with surrounding seating.

"PACCAR Hall is a testament to the on-going growth underway at the Foster School. We designed a building that was focused on collaboration and the architects did a great job delivering on that expectation," said Jim Jiambalvo, dean of the Foster School. "The common spaces allow faculty, students, and business executives to interact with each other on a regular basis."

The building is equipped with a wide range of technology enhancements including an 802.11n-based wireless network and distance conferencing capabilities. Additionally, each classroom is equipped with Web-linked digital monitors, recording both audio and video of the professor, and automatically synching that stream with video of the professor's slides. Students can access content online at any time, and faculty receive metrics about students' use of the material—insights faculty can use to tailor the curriculum and teaching style.

PACCAR Hall, which opened for classes on September 29, is generating excellent reviews from faculty, business leaders and students. Frances Youn, a second year MBA student and student representative to the UW Board of Regents, told the dedication crowd, "I am very excited about learning in PACCAR Hall. "

SOURCE Michael G. Foster School of Business