NU breaks ground on its future

Story by Joshua Maloni
Photo by Larry Austin
Tribune, Dispatch, Sentinel, May 4-6, 2006

Patrick Hanley called it a “glorious day.” Father Levesque said, “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” On Tuesday, under clear skies and amidst spring weather, Niagara University leaders broke ground on a new, $18.65 million academic complex that will house both the College of Business and the College of Education. “This is a glorious day; one in which the university will achieve one of its academic aspirations,” Hanley, the vice president for Institutional Advancement, said. “This is a moment of pride for Niagara University.” In January, Levesque, campus president since January 2000, announced that Stardust Companies CEO Jerry Bisgrove, a 1968 NU alum, had donated $4.5 million toward the complex. His contribution achieved two ends: It spurred fellow alums to donate to the project – like Bob and Judy Daino, who gave $500,000 – and it enabled the development to be completed in one fell swoop. Levesque said Tuesday the original plan was to complete the complex in stages, but, thanks to alumni gifts, the entire project will proceed, saving the university $750,000. The academic complex consists of two adjoining buildings: the current College of Business, located in Perboyre Hall, and a new, 45,000 square-foot addition spreading over the current Campus Safety parking lot and part of the quad. The buildings, 55,000 square feet in total, will be connected by an atrium.

Niagara University officials turned earth Tuesday, marking the start of construction on a new $18.65 million academic complex.

Perboyre, set to be renamed Bisgrove Hall, will be complexly renovated. Both buildings will feature state-of-the-art classrooms. The College of Business will house rooms with video-conferencing technology, and a business lab that replicates a financial trading floor. The College of Education will boast clinical labs for education majors, and an applied learning center.

“This academic complex will be a wonderful addition to our campus,” Jeremy Bedette, president of Niagara University Student Government, said, speaking on behalf of NU’s 3,000-plus students. “It has our fullest support.”

The academic complex is the third major project under Levesque’s tenure. He also oversaw two $11 million projects: The renovation of St. Vincent’s Hall and the construction of student apartments behind Dwyer Ice Arena. Dunleavy Hall, the last student classroom structure to be built on campus, was completed in 1972.

“Progress, in the form of this new academic complex, comes only as a result of a clear vision of where we want to go,” said Robert Dwyer, the ice rink’s main contributor and namesake, and chairman of the board at NU. “I thank the board, the administration and staff for helping to shape our shared vision for the university.”

“Many things are converging that point to a time of new growth and development as we begin the next 150 years of our history,” he added. “It’s an exciting time, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Grand Island’s Cannon Design developed and sketched the new structure. Turner Construction of Buffalo will erect it. The academic complex is slated to open in August 2007.