Conversations and laughter rang throughout every corner of the newly opened Amy and David Chandler Hall on Monday as students flooded in for the first day of classes.

The new home of the Gordon Ford College of Business features a Collegiate Georgian-style design by Gensler (Chicago) and cost $100 million to develop and construct. The Kentucky General Assembly provided $74.4 million. The rest of the funding is being raised by WKU.

“The first word that came out of my mouth was ‘Wow,’” said Karlee Powell, a senior Business Economics major.

The design aims to allow natural light and an open concept similar to the Commons at Helm Library, said Evelyn Thrasher,  Dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business.

“The goal is to have students come in the morning and stay through the day,” Thrasher said.

The new building features a Student Success Center that consolidates all of the resources the Gordon Ford College of Business has developed over the last 10 to 15 years, Thrasher said. Students can seek academic advising, peer tutoring, help navigating budgets and financial aid. The Student Success Center also features a “Suited for Success Closet” where business attire can be borrowed.

“To bring those together into one accessible space for our students means just tremendous opportunities for those students,” Thrasher said. “It will certainly help with our retention efforts and ensuring that our students succeed.”

Thrasher spoke on the various technological improvements implemented in the building.

On the first floor, a business hub displays changes to the stock market. Students can access Bloomberg Technology terminals, allowing students to see real-time market analytics and access financial techniques not previously available. Sales classrooms will also utilize mock environments to simulate a real-world experience for learning. 

All classrooms are equipped with Zoom technology, giving access for virtual students and those attending an alternate campus. The Gordon Ford College of Business plans to utilize this technology for the various guest speakers in the future, Thrasher said.

“To have a facility that matches the quality of what’s offered inside the building, I think will definitely impact, in a very positive way, our recruiting efforts,” Thrasher said.

A line of students remained all morning in front of Topper Grind, a new coffee shop in the building. It is on the first-floor lobby, selling food and coffee from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

A terrace located on the top floor looks out on the South Lawn, offering a new view for studying. Furniture will be placed on the terrace soon for students to use, Thrasher said.

“I think they’re [students] more excited to learn,” said Stephen Locke, an associate professor of economics. “I think the environment is more welcoming, more open.”

The building is in its final stage of development, as the small details are the last to be finished. Thrasher said that they expect the building to reach its final state over the next two to three weeks.