Nov. 7, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

OXFORD, Ohio, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Heralding a new era in business education, Miami University today announced the official dedication of the new home of its Farmer School of Business. As one of the most advanced management education facilities in the country, the new $65 million facility has a unique focus on increasing communication and collaboration within the school community as well as technology-enhanced teaching and learning.

The official dedication ceremony* will pay tribute to the building's major donors - including lead donor Richard T. Farmer, founder of Cintas Corporation. Combined gifts from private donors, totaling $50 million, funded nearly 80 percent of the project cost.

"The most inspiring aspect of the new building is seeing the sense of community that it is generating through the vibrancy of interaction among students and faculty, and the increased opportunities for spontaneous collaboration," commented Roger Jenkins, Dean of the Farmer School of Business.

Dean Jenkins added that the comprehensive new building will, for the first time, house all aspects of the Farmer School of Business under one roof, enhancing its ability to successfully prepare students for leadership in 21st century businesses. "There's no question that it will uniquely support the school's legacy for fostering and facilitating innovative problem-solving and teamwork that's so important in today's global workplace," he said.

Designed by Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York City and Moody Nolan, Inc. of Columbus, Ohio, the building took 30 months to construct and was completed on time and under budget. While the exterior mirrors the red-brick Georgian Revival style of the majority of Miami University's buildings, the student-centered interior design reflects a shift toward more small group work and seminar instruction, as well as experiential and hands-on learning. Just as importantly, the new building is the first of its kind to promote daily interaction among faculty members in an effort to expand frames of reference, collaboration and curricular integration.

"A great college building -- and the Farmer School's new hall is a great college building -- is known not only for its enduring beauty but even more for its support of a great educational experience," commented David Hodge, President of Miami University.