Ceremonial celebration of ‘new platform for the work of the GSB'

Hundreds of alumni, faculty, students, and friends of the GSB turned out Saturday, November 6, to celebrate the dedication of the Chicago GSB Hyde Park Center, a facility designed to take the school well into the 21st century and which, by all accounts, has been living up to its intent as a gathering place for the entire GSB community in Hyde Park.

We dedicate the structure and we celebrate a new platform for the work of the GSB, dean Edward A. Snyder told the crowd gathered under the Gothic arches in the winter garden.

Don Michael Randel, president of the University of Chicago , said, Architecture is the trace we leave behind that will tell people what we cared about and what we valued. It’s important to celebrate the high level of architectural talent that is the equal of the high level of intellectual accomplishment that will take place within this space.

Among the speakers were Dennis Keller, ’68; Andrew Alper, AB ’80, MBA ’81; Robert Rothman, ’77; and David Booth, ’71alumni whose generous donations early in the GSB Campaign helped create momentum for the $125 million building. Campaign co-chairs Keller and Alper clearly were impressed with the center. I knew it would be great, but it’s lots better than great, Keller said.

Other speakers were architect Rafael Viñoly; deputy dean for the Full-Time MBA Program Stacey Kole, PhD ’92 (economics); James M. Kilts, ’74, chairman of the Council on the Graduate School of Business; and former deputy dean John Huizinga, Walter David Bud Fackler Professor of Economics, who oversaw the construction process.

Huizinga lauded the many talented individuals who had contributed to the building, which, Kole said, has been a powerful catalyst for community.

Viñoly added, I look forward to what you're going to be doing here for years to come.