Kent State to Build New College of Business Admin

Kent State University recently approved construction of a new $74 million, 145,000-square-foot building to house its College of Business Administration. It will be named after the individual who has made the largest donation Kent has ever received. Edward Crawford, an Ohio businessman who served as the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Ireland under the previous administration, donated an unspecified amount to the university. The new structure will be named Crawford Hall, and the college will be renamed the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

The university said the new Crawford Hall will support "innovative instruction, research and student support services for thousands of business majors, minors and others taking business courses across the Kent State system." The building design is intended to increase its use of technology to support instructional methods introduced during the pandemic and provide flexible spaces various instructional layouts. The new structure will integrate learning laboratories, classrooms, offices, informal gathering spaces, common areas and business partner spaces.

Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Kent State University
The rendering shows the south facade of Crawford Hall, the new home for the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Kent State University.
Source: The Collaborative Inc. and Perkins&Will

Construction is expected to begin in December 2021 with classes moving in during August 2024. Building design is being handled by The Collaborative, Perkins&Will and Signet Development.

"Crawford Hall will be instrumental in how we prepare students for modern business careers," said Deborah Spake, dean of the college, in a statement. "This new building – which will be one of the largest buildings on any Kent State campus to house an academic program – and its enhanced technology will continue to bolster our reputation for both international business and entrepreneurship education. We anticipate a continued increase not only in domestic enrollment but also for international students seeking a top-tier education."

The donation comes during the university's latest campaign, "Forever Brighter," which has set a $350 million goal—the largest ever in the institution's history.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • School Construction Projects Boom as Education Systems Address Aging Facilities and Growth

    Construction opportunities are almost always abundant, but currently there are more than usual construction projects being launched for public school campuses. Common objectives include major renovation or expansion of aging facilities, total replacement of inefficient classrooms, upgrades to lighting, technology, and security equipment, and adding new sports and cultural facilities.

  • College of the Mainland Starts Construction on New Library & Learning Center

    College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Library & Learning Center, according to a news release. The new facility is part of a larger, $250-million campus expansion project funded by a 2023 bond program.

  • University of Kansas Opens $400M Football Stadium Reconstruction

    The University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., recently announced that the $400-million reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium is complete in time for the 2025 football season, according to a news release. The university partnered with Turner Construction Company on the project.

  • ALAS Announces 2025–26 Award Winners

    The Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) recently announced the winners of its 2025–26 leadership awards, according to a news release. Winners will be recognized at the ALAS 22nd National Summit on Education, scheduled for Oct. 15–17 in Chicago, Ill.

Digital Edition