Amidst high expectations, administrators dedicated the John M. Olin School of Business’s state-of-the-art executive education building on Friday.
The Charles F. Knight Executive Education Center, which has been up-and-running for about a month, is named after the former chief executive officer and present chairman of Emerson Electric.
Approximately 1,000 people-St. Louis business leaders, trustees and contributors to the school-were present for the ceremonies. Chancellor Mark Wrighton, Dean of the School of Business Stuart Greenbaum and Chairman of the Board of Trustees John McDonnell all spoke at the event.
Anheuser-Busch Chairman and President August A. Busch, III, represented the St. Louis business community and introduced Knight. James T. Little, professor of finance and economics, speaking on behalf of the faculty, went so far as to compare the facility to the ancient Greek agora, marketplaces ideas were commonly discussed.
In almost every speech, the Knight Center was praised for its technological capabilities, including digital cameras, laptop capabilities in every classroom and an advanced videoconferencing system.
“We have the finest educational facility in the world.for businesses, for our faculty, for our students,” said Knight, who spoke at the dedication. “We are really on the verge-in my opinion-of making that next step we’ve wanted to make to become one of the best.”
“The Knight Center is a transforming investment that will forever change the way we deliver management education at the Olin School,” Greenbaum said. “The Knight Center will propel the Olin School to the very front ranks of management education, thereby enhancing the quality of services we provide our community.”
Chancellor Mark Wrighton said he hopes to foster an intense intellectual atmosphere within the center.
“It’s a place where people will study together, where people will learn together,” Wrighton said, “and the faculty and the students will develop new concepts, ideas and work intimately together.”
After the ceremony, 1850 people enjoyed refreshments and guided tours of the $50 million, 135,000 square foot building which will function as a residential living and learning facility for business executives. The Knight Center contains five high-tech classrooms, 66 luxurious guest rooms, a dining room, a fitness center and a pub.
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