Prototype collaboration spaces offer “practice run” for new center

Plans for the Robert W. and Patricia A. Maurer Center, the innovative new College of Business building, are progressing with the creation of prototype collaboration spaces within the existing college building. Construction on the new Maurer Center is scheduled to start in late 2018. The facility will be ready for classes in fall, 2020.

Construction of these prototype collaboration spaces will be ready in October, giving faculty, staff and students the opportunity to try them out so they can offer valuable feedback on the final product. Collaboration areas are a trademark of the center, offering active learning classrooms that are more characteristic of a professional workplace or a workshop environment than a college classroom. Some features of active learning classrooms often include student tables with whiteboard surfaces to encourage group work, for example, along with flexible seating arrangements, movable audio-visual equipment and greater connectivity for technology.

In addition to the collaboration spaces, the new center will showcase cutting-edge innovation labs, active learning classrooms and a state-of-the art trading lab grouped around a multi-story forum. This design encourages interaction and collaboration among students, faculty, alumni, members of the business community and other visitors.

The new Maurer Center will include a renovation of Hanna Hall and a 10,000+ square-foot addition which will be a gateway to the academic core of BGSU.

In addition to Robert ’65 and Patricia Maurer, an initial group of namings has been approved for classrooms, public spaces, lounges, offices and other spaces. They include the William F. and Peggy L. Schmeltz Atrium, the Sister Mary Noreen Gray, R.S.M. Student Services Hub (a gift of Paul and Margo Hooker), the Michael R. and Mary Lee McGranaghan Dean’s Suite, the Daniel R. and Laura C. Keller Lounge, the David and Shirley Levey Classroom, the David and Lisa M. O’Brien Dean’s Conference Room, the Bruce E. and Kathleen M. Nyberg Conference Room and the R. Max Williamson Conference Room. Additional gifts have been received and the naming will be approved at future meetings of the University's Board of Trustees.