Mills College Breaks Ground on the Lorry I. Lokey Graduate School of Business
April 10, 2008, Oakland, California
Mills College held a groundbreaking and naming ceremony for the Lorry I . Lokey Graduate School of Business on Thursday, April 10, 2008. The new Business School was named for Lorry I. Lokey, the founder of Business Wire and a Mills College Trustee. Lokey sold Business Wire to Berkshire Hathaway in 2006, and credits his business success to the many talented women he employed throughout the growth and evolution of his company. The Lokey Graduate School of Business is the first MBA program designed for women in the West, and one of only two in the country.
Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the new 28,500 gross square foot facility will be the new home of the women-focused MBA program and undergraduate business studies. The program's rapid growth in the past few years spurred plans for the visionary and sustainable building to highlight Mills commitment to preparing women for leadership roles in business.
A major focus of the project's design is the seamless integration of sustainable features that provide energy conservation for the college as well as an optimal learning environment for the occupants. The facility features a dynamic multi-function gathering space, additional interior/exterior event break-out under a green roof covered porch, MBA student career services, formal and informal study/work spaces, classrooms and faculty offices. The project is designed according to the criteria established by USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Construction and seeking certification with hopes achieving Silver or Gold. Currently under construction, the facility is anticipated for completion and occupancy in the fall of 2009.
The event, entitled "Breaking Barriers," celebrated Mills' accomplishments of educating and preparing women for leadership for more than 150 years. Mills College President Janet L. Holmgren lead the ceremony "We are shining new light on this still relevant and meaningful metaphor," said President Holmgren. "We will celebrate the many successes of women and draw attention to the continual need to bring equity and parity to the workplace." Keynote speaker and Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman offered her perspective on Breaking Barriers: "The Glass Ceiling: Fact or Fiction?" Nancy L. Thornborrow, Dean of the Lokey Graduate School of Business, also spoke about the importance of program and new building. "Our mission today is as relevant as it was in 1852 and in 1990: to prepare women for leadership roles," Thornborrow said.
Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, the new 28,500 gross square foot facility will be the new home of the women-focused MBA program and undergraduate business studies. The program's rapid growth in the past few years spurred plans for the visionary and sustainable building to highlight Mills commitment to preparing women for leadership roles in business.
A major focus of the project's design is the seamless integration of sustainable features that provide energy conservation for the college as well as an optimal learning environment for the occupants. The facility features a dynamic multi-function gathering space, additional interior/exterior event break-out under a green roof covered porch, MBA student career services, formal and informal study/work spaces, classrooms and faculty offices. The project is designed according to the criteria established by USGBC's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for New Construction and seeking certification with hopes achieving Silver or Gold. Currently under construction, the facility is anticipated for completion and occupancy in the fall of 2009.
The event, entitled "Breaking Barriers," celebrated Mills' accomplishments of educating and preparing women for leadership for more than 150 years. Mills College President Janet L. Holmgren lead the ceremony "We are shining new light on this still relevant and meaningful metaphor," said President Holmgren. "We will celebrate the many successes of women and draw attention to the continual need to bring equity and parity to the workplace." Keynote speaker and Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman offered her perspective on Breaking Barriers: "The Glass Ceiling: Fact or Fiction?" Nancy L. Thornborrow, Dean of the Lokey Graduate School of Business, also spoke about the importance of program and new building. "Our mission today is as relevant as it was in 1852 and in 1990: to prepare women for leadership roles," Thornborrow said.
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