Howard L. Hawks Hall is the new home for Nebraska’s College of Business and that might have more to do with athletics than you think. The $84 million, 240,000-square-foot building was funded entirely by private donations from 2,500 individuals, groups and organizations.
The building features unique learning spaces, high-tech classrooms and specialized programs that will increase opportunities for students to learn. It was specifically designed to be a place where students could come together and facilitate interaction.
The new College of Business is also closely tied to the Athletic Department. Located on the corner of 14th and Vine, athletic director Shawn Eichorst told Hail Varsity Hawks Hall will serve as a “stunning bookend to Memorial Stadium.” The building will help the department continue to recruit the best
student-athletes as more than 20 percent of current student-athletes are
business majors.
“I am honored to have the privilege to work closely with Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Donde Plowman and with Dean Kathy Farrell on several unique collaborations,” Eichorst said.
“Chancellor Ronnie Green, Athletics, Donde and Kathy all share the same vision that the College of Business is a ‘game changer’ not only for the University, but in particular for athletics as we seek to recruit ‘the best and the brightest’ students and student-athletes to our campus.”
Kimberly Smith
A view of one of the walls inside Howard L. Hawks Hall, the new home of the College of Business.
Part of the College of Busines-Athletic Department link can be seen on the wall at the Yes Chef Café where the names of selected student-athletes representing different majors within the College are displayed.
Additionally, there are many programs that the Athletic Department and the College of Business are working together on for the benefit of all business students on campus.
“The MAIAA (Master of Arts in Business with a Specialization in Intercollegiate Athletics Administration) program is an excellent example of a unique partnership between Athletics and the College of Business,” Eichorst said. “Athletics provides all second-year MAIAA students with an internship as they pursue their postgraduate degree.“
Hawks Hall will also feature the Husker Shop, a partnership between the College of Business, Nebraska Athletics and Fanatics to provide opportunities for business students to manage the apparel stor. The shop’s data will be integrated into curriculum across several majors.
Nebraska broke ground on the building in March of 2015, and it will be ready to go for the first day of classes on Aug. 21. A ribbon cutting for Hawks Hall on Aug. 18 at 4 p.m. is part of the fifth-annual Back to School Bash and will serve as the grand opening.
