College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha

A new business college at the University of Nebraska at Omaha should pay sizable dividends not just for the university but also for the state of Nebraska. The privately funded, $31 million project has been greeted with great expectations, and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents has signaled its support of the 2010 initiative. Rightfully so. Many positive developments could flow from this new venture. For example:

The forging of new partnerships with the Peter Kiewit Institute. The joint UNO/University of Nebraska Lincoln program boasts an impressive track record of developing careers in the fields of information science, technology and engineering. Thus the South Campus location for the new business college will provide valuable professional and educational opportunities for UNO students.
The strengthening of an already impressive College of Business Administration. As a news story Friday reported, several new initiatives are planned, including academic programs in investment science and international business. The 120,000 square-foot building will include a virtual stock market trading room, meeting areas and a new headquarters for the Nebraska Business Development Center, currently located off campus.
The ability to grow the university and Nebraska. Hundreds more business students are expected to enroll at UNO following the building's opening. This influx of human capital will help fulfill the university's mission of striving for academic excellence while helping these students realize their potential and give them incentives to stay. Indeed, this is a vital cog for Nebraska's educational and economic future.

UNO rightly deserves praise for embarking on this impressive project. Kudos also to the as-yet-unnamed private donors for generously making all of this happen.

Source - Omaha World Herald Editorial March 8, 2008