Even as the Richard Ivey Building settles into a normal routine of cases, classes and assignments, the excitement around the two-day Grand Opening Celebration still hangs in the air like confetti from a cannon.
The buzz is understandable.
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- With humour and leadership insights as the first Canadian astronaut to command the International Space Station, Commander Chris Hadfield kicked off the celebrations to a packed Alumni Hall of students, faculty, staff, donors and special guests.
- Following the presentation, Commander Hadfield, Dean Carol Stephenson and students, alumni, donors and staff, led by the Mustang Marching Band, paraded from Alumni Hall across Western Road and into the new Richard Ivey Building.
- The formal part of the program featured Western President Amit Chakma, plus the Ivey family, represented by Richard W. Ivey, HBA ’72, LLD, and Jon Love, HBA ’76, Chair of the Building Task Force.
“Four years ago, almost to the day, we stood on a green field and dreamed of building an inspirational centre of learning, discovery, and innovation from which would emerge the next generation of business leaders for Canada and around the world,” said Dean Carol Stephenson, in addressing the guests and dignitaries at the building opening. “Eighteen months of work by the members of our New Building Task Force preceded that moment and thousands of hours followed. The dream is now reality and the future is ours to embrace.”
Jon Love spoke of the many talents that came together to nearly six years ago to make the dream a reality.
“Today, nearly six years later, we are in a striking example of Cross Enterprise Leadership, with diverse skills, stakeholders and disciplines required to move this building from Vision to Reality. It lives the Ivey brand,” Love told the assembled guests.
Place matters
It is fitting that the Ivey family – represented by Richard W. Ivey – had a prominent place on the podium. The Ivey family has been deeply connected to the School that has carried the name for more than 70 years since Dick Ivey embarked on a degree in business administration in 1943.
In reviewing Richard G’s commitment to the new building, Richard W pointed out his father’s commitment to the sustainable nature of the building, increasing the LEED certification from the intended silver to gold.
“This fabulous new building will enhance the student experience for decades to come and that’s what counts the most,” Richard W said. “Place matters. Teaching and learning, as well as creativity, collaboration and hard work, all benefit from a space or place that functions superbly, looks great and perhaps even inspires. I hope you all agree that this space and place sings of inspiration. And it is a perfect home for the best business school in Canada and one of the top schools in the world.”
The building opening went hand-in-hand with the celebration of the graduation of the first six business school students 90 years ago. Now that number has blossomed into 608 new HBA students who entered the doors of the new school just weeks before the event.
