As a leading provider of quality business education, the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business strives to educate its students to become successful, principled leaders with a global perspective. Our mission will be enriched with the future construction of a new facility at the corner of Millwood Avenue and Pleasant Valley Road. Today, I was privileged to attend the “Demolition Bash,” which symbolized the first step towards site preparation of the business school. In this issue, you’ll read about this event, the construction project and what this new facility will offer to our students and the community. As always, please keep in touch with me either by e-mail, letters, telephone calls or personal visits. I enjoy hearing from you on a regular basis.

Dean W. Randy Boxx

Shenandoah University hosted a “Demolition Bash” on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. at the site of the future home of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, located at the corner of Pleasant Valley Road and Millwood Avenue in Winchester, formerly the Millwood Station Fire & Rescue building.

“This event marks an important milestone in the evolution of the new home for the business school and the overall strategic direction for business education at the university,” said Dr. Harley Knowles, vice president for development at SU. “We thought it was important to thank all the volunteers, donors, faculty and trustees who brought us to this point with this crucial facility.”

The purpose of the “Demolition Bash” was to signal the beginning of site preparation for the new business school building.

At more than 40,000-square-feet with 20,000-square-feet of underground parking, the new business school will occupy the most prominent site on campus, anchoring a new western entry to campus. It will feature technologically advanced and effective teaching and learning spaces. Meeting and common areas will become a preferred venue for many campus and community events.

“The need for more space and a different type of space is critical to supporting the new nature of business education and to attract the best qualified students and faculty,” said Dr. W. Randy Boxx, dean of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. “This facility is a vital part of the school’s strategy to increase undergraduate and graduate enrollment, recruit and retain outstanding educators and obtain accreditation by AACSB International.”

According to Dr. Knowles, the new building will be a visible symbol of change taking place within the business school. An environment will be created for building the leadership, teamwork, communication, technical, and analytical skills that are highly valued by employers.