Just three days into new year, Daniels College of Business graduate students got a potent reminder that good things really do come to those who wait.
The newly-renovated Graduate Studio—originally slated for completion in fall 2017—made its official debut on Jan. 3, with a daylong celebration that included food, festivities and a requisite ribbon-cutting.
“It’s hard for me to think of a better way to start the new year,” said Daniels Dean Brent Chrite following a welcome from University of Denver Provost Gregg Kvistad at the grand opening reception. “There are at least three elements that are required to have an exceptional business school: It starts, first and foremost, with the amazing, committed, dedicated faculty and staff who teach, engage and support you. The second, of course, are the students, who, in many ways, affirm and represent the very best of what we do. And the third, I submit, is the physical space. And this space is an affirmation of our commitment to providing the kind of experience and atmosphere that our graduate students deserve. It’s my hope that you will utilize this place, make it your own, and allow it to contribute to and enhance the quality and impact of your experience.”
Daniels redesigned the Graduate Studio to serve as a home-away-from-home for all graduate students where they can work, collaborate and relax. Bright, bold colors punctuate the renovated space, which boasts an expansive café area with a full kitchen, comfortable and customizable seating, and two glassed-in conference areas. Both the new Detterick Challenge Lab and the refurbished Reznikoff Conference Room are equipped with white boards, large monitors and two-way video technology to facilitate meetings with off-site clients or companies. Construction of the Detterick Challenge Lab and the Reznikoff Conference Room were made possible by generous gifts from Daniels alumni James Detterick (MBA 2001) and the late Herb Reznikoff (BSBA 1967) respectively. Eight offices housing Daniels graduate student services, graduate advisors, and directors of the MBA and PMBA programs are also located in the Graduate Studio.
“On behalf of all Daniels graduate students, thank you to everyone who made this happen,” said Denver MBA student Juliana Phelps, president of the Graduate Business Student Association, before cutting the grand-opening ribbon. “I’m honored to officially open this new space that we can call our own and that can be a community space for all of us.”
The Graduate Studio is just one of a handful of renovation and construction projects undertaken recently in direct response to the College’s strategic priority to provide an unparalleled student experience. In the weeks ahead, Daniels will also celebrate the completion of the new Career Services Recruiting Suite, the first phase of the CiBiC marketing behavioral lab and the renovation of the Marsico Investment Center.