Spring 2025
On April 11, 2025, Purdue University celebrated a significant milestone with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Mitch Daniels School of Business facility.
Purdue President Mung Chiang; President Emeritus Mitch Daniels; Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean Jim Bullard; Board of Trustees Chair Gary Lehman, and Ted Maple of Lilly Endowment Inc., all spoke, underscoring the university’s commitment to educating future leaders and advancing research in a technology-driven economy.
The vision for this new 164,000-square-foot facility, which will be interconnected with Rawls Hall and the Krannert building, emerged from Purdue’s aspiration to lead the nation’s top business schools and meet the surging demand for business education that integrates STEM disciplines, analytics and technological advances as critical business ventures.
Slated to open its doors in the fall of 2027, the completed building will become Purdue’s second-largest classroom building, providing flexible spaces for instruction, conferences and modern labs for financial trading, data visualization, behavioral research and experiential learning.
Dean James Bullard speaks from the stage.
“This magnificent facility will serve as a beacon for excellence on the Purdue campus,” says Bullard. “Not only will this building illustrate the university’s commitment to the future of business education, it will also serve as a focal point for the seamless integration of business and technology, reflecting our mission to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. It will foster an environment where students, faculty, staff, alumni and corporate partners can thrive, innovate and lead while showcasing what building the future of business is all about.”
The renowned architecture firm Gensler, in partnership with BSA Life Structures, designed the space as a direct response to the increasing integration of technology in every aspect of the business world, as Janette Scott and Samantha Martin explain in a Daniels Insights post. The building is conceived as a series of interconnected environments — named Innovate, Engine, and Mix — each supporting critical thinking, experiential learning and a collaborative culture.
Professor Ben Van Kammen and daughter Robin.
The Innovate platform, featuring the Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) program, is dedicated to developing and showcasing big ideas with simulation spaces, innovation labs, and areas for presenting research. Its glass-wrapped façade will create a lantern-like presence at night, symbolizing the energy of emerging business leaders.
The Engine platform, strategically positioned at the back of the building, houses immersive learning spaces, advising offices, large classrooms, and a 500-seat auditorium, all designed for flexibility and accessibility.
The Mix platform emphasizes community and connection, offering a blend of open and quiet study zones, a sculptural staircase visible through the glass façade, and a green courtyard for study breaks, networking events, and everyday interactions.
Gensler’s design ensures that the building’s interiors echo sophisticated corporate workplaces, preparing students for the environments they will encounter in their careers and supporting the evolving needs of business education in a tech-driven world.
Donors Mark and Teresa Hildebrand (left) and Nathan and Elizabeth Gabhart (right)
The new Mitch Daniels School of Business facility is not only a physical structure but a symbol of Purdue’s commitment to innovation and leadership development. This vision is made possible through the generosity of donors like Mark and Teresa Hildebrand, who share, “These relationships were truly life changing for me, and we hope our gift will in some small way help continue the business school's legacy of leadership development, mentoring and personal support to the undergraduate students of the future.”
Fellow donors Nathan and Elizabeth Gabhart echo this sentiment, explaining, “Giving back felt like the right thing to do. I hope this facility becomes a place that shapes not only smart business leaders, but generous and service-minded individuals. The business world has enough greed; my hope is that Purdue graduates will stand out by how they serve others. Growing up in a single-parent household on welfare, I know what it means to overcome tough circumstances. I hope my story — and this gift — show others that where you come from doesn't limit where you can go.”
Their words serve as both inspiration and a call to action, encouraging others to join in supporting a project that will shape generations of business leaders at Purdue.
The reimagined Mitch Daniels School of Business is where future heroes are built and victories begin. With a $10,000 pledge over five years, you’ll help create a space where Boilermakers gain the skills to lead, innovate, and win in the world of business. Join us in building a legacy of victories and heroes — one brick at a time.
For more information, contact Mitchell Gauger at magauger@purdueforlife.org or (765) 496-1336.
