Penn State University President Graham Spanier was a keynote speaker Thursday for the dedication of Penn State Worthington Scranton's new Business Building, addressing over 100 attendees.
In addition to Dr. Spanier, other university officials as well as Worthington Scranton donors, supporters, advisory board members, faculty, staff and students were in attendance for the landmark event.
Chancellor Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen welcomed the crowd, saying it was a very proud day for Penn State Worthington Scranton, and thanked those involved for helping to make this latest addition to the campus possible.
It was the recent growth at Penn State Worthington Scranton, that "fueled the need for this spectacular new Business Building," Dr. Spanier told the crowd, citing the campus' 11 percent increase in enrollment over the past year. "You are definitely doing something right."
"This wonderful new facility promises to keep Penn State Worthington Scranton in the forefront of business education, research and practice, he said."
The new $6 million Business Building combines academic classrooms with corporate amenities to create a unique learning facility and community resource. Specialty features include a Wall Street style trading floor, e-learning and technology classrooms, tiered lecture hall and a conference room with polycom capabilities.
The building was planned with the goal of providing a learning environment conducive to both in-class and online instruction, in addition to being used as a corporate community center.
In fact, local agencies have already used the building for presentations and instructional seminars, while classrooms have been used for continuing education training and development programs with area companies. In addition, planning is underway for a series of events designed to introduce business leaders and area professionals to the facility and what Penn State Worthington Scranton can offer them.
Michael Kushner, an aide representing Sen. Robert Mellow, a major supporter of this initiative who was unable to attend the dedication, praised the effort and what it meant for the campus, as well as the local community.
Edmund Brogenski, a Worthington Scranton business major and president of the campus's Business Club, spoke about his first time entering the new building and how it invoked a sense of pride in him, making him feel that as a student at Penn State Worthington Scranton, he was now part of something bigger.
