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Founded in 1922, the Ivey HBA degree was granted for the first time in 1923 to six students. With 7 sections of approximately 75 students expected to graduate in 2012, the Richard Ivey School of Business has since outgrown its first location in the basement of University College, and is looking to expand out of its current location on UC Hill.

For some, it was hard to imagine how anything could top the Ivey brick building proudly overlooking the centre of campus. Doubts were gone once the new building plans were unveiled. Set to have over 230 000 square feet of space spread over 3 levels, the new world-class building to be located in front of Brescia Hill is nothing short of impressive. The modern glass and cut-stone design will also feature a quadrangle complete with a reflecting pool, a library, a dining room, a fireplace, and cascading staircases. In addition, the building will have solar panels on the roof and other environmental-friendly features that will ensure that it meets Gold Level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification and reduces its carbon footprint.

The new building will total $100 million, with $50 million funded by the government, $22.5 million funded by the university, and the rest of the $27.5 million contributed by alumni and through donations.

Construction began this past September, with the first phase set to be completed by March 2011. Dean Carol Stephenson says that the building will “celebrate [Ivey’s] history and point to [its] future, yet project the timeless quality of [its] core values. It will symbolize the excellence that lies within and become Ivey’s signature on the world stage.”

A new era is approaching for Ivey, and we hope that this building is just the beginning of greater things to come.

Enita Yuan

Sources:
1. Ivey “Intouch” publication
2.http://communications.uwo.ca/com/western_news/stories/green_light_for_new_ivey_building_20090529444374/
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5xU9wEVSYU

4. http://www.ivey.uwo.ca/newbuilding/