With confetti raining down and a round of applause from faculty, staff and students, the ribbon was cut on the $24-million transformation of the Goodman School of Business at Brock University Friday, Feb. 1.

The remarkable project brings the Goodman School to the forefront of a competitive Canadian business school market, offering its growing student body a modern, bright and high-tech learning environment.

“Our new building gives the School not only a world-class teaching and research facility, but it also becomes a hub for Goodman’s interaction with the community around us,” said Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes.

Community engagement plays a significant role in what the business school does, enabling students to get hands-on training through experiential learning opportunities, including co-op education. Through experiential education projects this year, thousands of Goodman students have worked on 158 community projects for local businesses and organizations. Additionally, Goodman’s professional development program has run 34 certificate programs for professionals in municipal leadership, non-profit management and local businesses since 2016.

To that end, the new Goodman building includes five new interview rooms that can be used by employer partners coming onto campus to engage with Brock students. There’s also six new and nine refreshed classrooms, a new Bloomberg financial research lab, graduate student study space, faculty research space, new offices and a striking two-storey atrium. In all, there is 79,000 square feet of new and renovated space.

“The outstanding Goodman School of Business facility marks a wonderful milestone in the University’s development and its role and capacity to deliver excellent academic, research and business programming for our students and regional economic growth,” said Brock President Gervan Fearon. “The generosity and vision of the Goodman family and our other partners gives students the advantage of learning in bright, modern surroundings that will enhance their education experience and prepare them for the future.”

The project to transform and modernize the Goodman School was made possible by a major gift from the family of former Brock Chancellor Ned Goodman, along with a $10-million commitment from the Government of Ontario and the support of many generous donors.

“Goodman is quickly gaining an impressive reputation among business schools in Canada,” said Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff. “These newly renovated and constructed spaces will enable Goodman students to enhance their learning experience by improving their engagement with faculty, one another, the business world and the community at large.”

Speaking on behalf of the Goodman Family Foundation Friday, Dan Goodman called the opening “a moment of extreme pride,” for the family. “For us, this incredible new facility represents expanded potential for both the faculty and students, and we can’t wait to see the accomplishments that are yet to come.”

The Honourable Merrilee Fullerton, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, said modern surroundings play a key role in helping students realize their full potential.

“In order for our students to achieve their highest potential, they need access to modern tools and facilities to help them develop the skills needed for today’s and tomorrow’s job market,” she said. “It is incredible to see how Brock University continues to create new venues of opportunity for its students that will aid them in becoming future leaders in Ontario and beyond.”