| 10/26/2009 10:37:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article |
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| OPEN FOR BUSINESS — A special celebration was held at the completed Timothy J. Hyland Hall on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus on Saturday as part of Homecoming week festivities. Hyland Hall has been open since the first day of classes in September. The $42.3 million, 185,000-square-foot building provides 48 state-of-the-art classrooms and was funded by $36.3 million in state monies, $5.5 million in gifts and $500,000 in campus funds. Pictured above, major donors Natalie and Timothy Hyland chat with Gov. Jim Doyle during the festivities. — Daily Union photo by Chris Welch. |
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UW-W alumnus Hyland on hand to dedicate new business school
By Chris Welch
Union staff writer
WHITEWATER - Although it has been "in business" since the start of the fall semester, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's new Timothy J. Hyland Hall officially opened Friday as part of Homecoming Week festivities.
And coming home for the celebration was Timothy J. Hyland himself.
A number of other speakers gave addresses inside the building's Timmerman Auditorium as well, including Wisconsin Governor James Doyle; student representative Bridget Kuske; Rex Loker, project manager of the Division of State Facilities; Lawrence Schnuck, senior principal and lead designer with the Milwaukee architectural firm Kahler Slater; Associate Dean Donald Zahn, Interim Provost Christine Clements, and Chancellor Richard Telfer.
A special celebration initiated by College of Business and Economics students was held on the first day of school in September. Friday's celebration was primarily for donors, supporters and other participants in the project. Guided tours were given after the speeches, and cake and refreshments were served.
Hyland Hall was designed to provide significant space to accommodate the growth of UW-Whitewater. The $42.3 million, 185,000-square-foot building provides 48 state-of-the-art classrooms for the College of Business Administration and Social Science divisions of the College of Letters and Sciences.
The facility - funded by $36.3 million in state monies, $5.5 million in gifts and $500,000 in campus funds - has created about 450 jobs and added $93 million to the local economy.
In 2006, Governor Doyle issued an executive order that requires all existing and new state buildings to conform to high-efficiency environmental and energy standards. To meet these goals, Hyland Hall has energy efficiency equivalent to LEED silver rating, and features extensive use of natural light for reduced energy consumption and healthier spaces. Through a private donation, a photovoltaic project will be installed to provide energy to power the building's computers.
"Ten years ago, this building was just an idea and it did not seem real," Clements said. "But now it is here, and it is real.
"It has been an exhilarating ride during these last 10 years to put this project together," Clements added. "But the best part of this process has been all the individuals and constituency groups we have had the pleasure of working with - many are here today, like our students, alumni, friends, current faculty, staff, and administration, past faculty, staff, and administration, the state, our legislators, and our governor."
Telfer shared his gratitude and enthusiasm, as well.
"The completion of Hyland Hall on the north end of campus creates a visually elegant and appealing structure," he said. "It creates a warm and welcoming gateway for visitors from the Visitor's Center."
He continued: "The Hyland Hall project was undertaken with the university's goals and values in mind. One of our goals is to engage students with hands-on learning experiences. This new facility includes state-of-the-art computer technology and software that will give business students experience with the tools they will need in the professions they plan to enter. The Financial Investments Center's Bloomberg Terminal keeps students up to date with financial information. The center also provides portfolio analysis tools."
Telfer also spoke on the university's goal of sustainability as being reflected in the building, calling Hyland Hall is "a state model for using recyclable materials." He noted that as part of a successful pilot program to recycle building materials on state construction projects, the Hyland Hall project used extensive recycling practices.
Miron Construction recycled concrete, brick, wood, cans, bottles and office paper from three residence halls that were razed to make room for Hyland Hall. The project recycled about 98 percent of the building debris and 65 percent of construction waste. Miron won an award for its recycling methods.
"This new building houses the College of Business and Economics' centers, most of which do outreach to the local, state, national, and international communities," Telfer said. "Those include the Small Business Development Center, the Wisconsin Innovation Service Center, the Wisconsin Center for Information Technology Services, The Global Business Resource Center, and the fiscal and Economic Research Center. These are tremendous institutions that do a lot of outreach.
"We feel we have a world-class business college, and now we feel we have a world-class building in which to house its world-class programs," concluded Telfer, who noted that Hyland Hall received a special certificate from U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold.
Governor Doyle had high praise for the building.
"When you have served (as governor) as long as I have, you actually get to see the buildings that I approved," the governor mused. "It takes a long and difficult process to accomplish a project like this. The funding from the state that is actually approved is an arduous one. That is because we want to make sure the buildings we build are really needed in this state.
"Clearly, this decision to further the mission of the College of Business and Economics at UW-W is one of the greatest investments we can make," the governor added. "This is an incredible school, and the students here will take their degrees out to all over the country. You will find that people will really know this school and what that degree means. It has earned a well deserved national reputation."
Doyle advised that one of the best ways to position Wisconsin for long-term growth is by investing in the state's world-class University of Wisconsin system.
"Hyland Hall represents a significant investment in the Whitewater region and will ensure that UW-W will continue its leadership for years to come," Doyle said.
In conclusion, the governor praised UW alumni.
"I am very proud of the alumni of our campuses across the University of Wisconsin System," he said. "Madison has a huge alumni association that raises money a school like Whitewater could not imagine. When I first became governor, Whitewater and other campuses were really struggling to get that alumni giving going. I have watched it happen now. And once it happens, the generous alumni have stepped forward to support their colleges. So to the Hylands and all who donated or worked so hard to make this happen, I thank you."
Doyle added he hoped to be back next Fall when the new dormitory being built across from Hyland Hall is opened.
Hyland himself rounded out the keynote addresses.
A 1982 graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration/accounting, Hyland contributed $2 million toward the building in 2004.
Hyland stated that he wanted to give back to the university that provided him the background to succeed.
"My wife, Natalie, and I are very proud to be associated with this project," Hyland said. "This idea was planted in our minds 10 years ago by then-Chancellor Jack Miller. Many in this room - Chancellor Telfer, Interim Provost Clements, Dean Smith - set the course for Hyland Hall. It greatly exceeds our expectations. We have toured this facility and it is amazing."
Hyland noted that the facility would not be a reality were it not for the generosity of all of the donors.
"I want to thank everyone for their support," he said. "Because of the quality of my education here at UW-W, which has led to my professional successes, I wanted to express my appreciation by giving back to Whitewater. Please enjoy the tours you take today, and I am sure you will be impressed as I was. I am impressed with the technology in this building. I think there will be many well-educated students coming out of Whitewater, and one day, they can turn around and give back to the campus as well."
After the program, Hyland expanded his thoughts on how the building exceeded his expectations.
"The technology, the innovation, the accessibility for people with disabilities, the entire facility is extremely well-thought out," he said. "It should be a model for all future buildings in the UW System. It really is amazing that this has all come together."
Following graduation, Hyland joined a healthcare management and consulting company, Schaller Anderson Inc., in 1989 and served many of his 15 years there as its chief financial officer. The company set up and operated managed health-care plans in Oklahoma, California, Maryland, Missouri and Delaware. He also served as president of the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Financial Management Association and later as a three-year director on HFMA's National Board.
After retiring in 2004, Hyland continued to be involved in many business endeavors. He operates Hyland Real Estate Investment Group, which invests in and operates multi-family housing developments, and is an angel investor, evaluating potentially successful start-up business ventures to invest in and advise.
In addition, he continues his involvement with Pi Sigma Epsilon. As its past national president , he currently chairs the PSE National Educational Foundation.
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