A $10 million grant will support the construction of a new building at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business.
The Walton Family Foundation grant will enable the college to build Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall, which will be designed to expand classroom capacity, strengthen student collaboration and support the college’s continued growth, according to a press release.
Planned for the corner of North Harmon Avenue and West Fairview Street, Dillard Hall will add approximately 100,000 square feet of academic space to the campus. The building will include classrooms, study areas, collaboration spaces and the McMillon Innovation Studio.
“This grant will help ensure that generations of University of Arkansas business students learn, collaborate and prepare for meaningful careers in spaces that match the world-class education and opportunities Walton College provides,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson.
The project was necessitated by growth at Walton College. More than 10,300 students enrolled this past academic year — positioning the Walton College among the fastest-growing major business schools in the United States.
“At its core, this gift is also an investment in students who will shape and lead businesses for years to come,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “This grant will ensure that Walton College remains a driving force for academic excellence, innovation and economic vitality while strengthening the university’s ability to serve Arkansas and the world.”
The new facility will bring most Walton College classes together alongside its business building, Willard J. Walker Hall and the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Enterprise Development, creating a more connected academic environment for students while freeing classroom space elsewhere on campus. The building will also add hundreds of seats dedicated to studying, teamwork and informal collaboration.
The university will announce construction timelines and dedication ceremony details later, the release stated.
Feature image: A rendering of the planned Dillard Hall. (Photo courtesy of the U of A)
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