When University of Nebraska at Omaha students of the College of Business Administration return to campus in a few weeks, they’ll open the doors to one of the nation’s newest and most advanced academic facilities for business education.

Construction wrapped up this summer on Mammel Hall, complete with student breakout rooms, a 200-seat auditorium, a café, enhanced technology features throughout, and labs for investment and collaboration science, innovation and entrepreneurship, accounting, real estate and statistics.

The $34 million, 120,000 square-foot building at 67th and Pine streets on UNO’s South Campus was made possible with private support, including a leadership gift from retired Omaha businessman Carl Mammel and his late wife, Joyce. Support was also provided by Omahans Ruth and Bill Scott, as well as other generous benefactors.

Louis Pol, dean of the college, expressed his appreciation to the donors. “They really are tuned into the needs of our students,” he said. “They genuinely care about our students and want to help.”

Learn about the inside and outside of Mammel Hall

Mammel Hall was also designed to be one of the most environmentally friendly business schools. It’s the first Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) certified building on the UNO campus and one of only four across the University of Nebraska system.

LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council’s benchmark for sustainable design and promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

A green business model

Its location at UNO’s South Campus seeks to encourage collaboration between CBA and other academic units, particularly the Peter Kiewit Institute. It will also function as a conduit in the expansion of CBA’s many partnerships with businesses and industry while stimulating economic development in the state and region.

Mammel Hall will be officially dedicated during an event on Oct. 15, 2010, at 5 p.m.

The building was designed by Holland Basham Architects of Omaha and global firm Gensler and Associates.

UNO’s Rosken Hall, formerly occupied by the College of Business Administration, is currently being fully renovated and is the future new home for the College of Education. It’s slated to open in the fall of 2011.

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