A new era of business education at Tulane University has begun.
In January, the new home of the A. B. Freeman School of Business — the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex — opened its doors to students. Designed by the internationally renowned architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, this spectacular new building features more than 80,000 square feet of new and renovated space, including 10 brand new classrooms, 20 new faculty offices, more than 30 new breakout spaces, a new Financial Analysis Lab, a new venture incubator and entrepreneur-in-residence offices within the Albert Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and dramatically larger spaces for our Career Management Center and Office of Undergraduate Education. Connecting everything together is the Marshall Family Commons, a breathtaking three-story atrium that has become the new hub of student life.
While our growing enrollment was a significant driver of the decision to expand our physical plant, it wasn’t the only consideration. As the cover story of this issue explains, the Goldring/Wolderberg Business Complex was designed not simply to accommodate more students but to build a stronger, more engaged community. From state-of-the-art classrooms that enable instructors to teach in new and innovative ways to common spaces that spark interaction and collaboration to special features like its very own PJ’s Coffee Shop, the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex brings people together in new and exciting ways.
Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of this magnificent building is that it was made possible entirely through the generosity of the Freeman community, the alumni, parents and friends who stepped up to the plate and pledged their support to make it a reality. On behalf of everyone here at the Freeman School, I offer you our sincere thanks. I would like to especially thank Bill Goldring and Pierce Marshall Jr., who through their family foundations provided us with building anchor gifts. I’ve known Bill and Pierce for nearly a decade, and in that time I’ve benefitted tremendously from their counsel, leadership and dedication to Tulane University and the Freeman School. Without their extraordinary support, the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex would not have been possible.
While the opening of the building has occupied much of our attention over the last year, it’s just one of many exciting things we’ve been working on. This summer alone, we’ve launched a new program — the Master of Business Analytics — hosted nearly 200 students from China, Guatemala, Panama and Peru enrolled in international master’s programs through our Goldring Institute, and welcomed nine new scholars and educators to our faculty, the latest additions in our ongoing faculty expansion effort.
In closing, I’d like to thank you — our alumni, parents and friends — for your continued support, and I’d also like to encourage each of you to visit us here in our new home. The Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex is your building. We’d love for you to experience it in person.
