Five Questions

>>FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business’ new home, the nearly $20 million Lutgert Hall, is one of three new buildings on campus this year. The college has nearly 3,000 business majors, representing about 32 percent of FGCU’s student body. Dean Richard Pegnetter chatted about the new 63,000 square-foot facility, which joined Sugden Hall and Holmes Hall, and efforts to bring business to the region.

1. Why was Lutgert Hall needed at FGCU?

Up until now, the business school has been spread across the campus, which made it more of a challenge to integrate a lot of things we’re doing and to develop some cooperative activities. The second thing it does is keep us competitive. This new facility [has] classrooms that assure that you can move in the direction of using technology, strong learning environments that include areas for students to work together as teams, and large classrooms that [can be] intimate because of the way they’re designed.

2. How does the building impact campus?

It has quite a visual impact. It’s the first building visitors see. It makes a strong statement about the growth, power and quality of the environment, which in some cases will surprise people. We started out with attractive and functional one- to two-story buildings. This [four-story building], I think, gives you the impression right away that it’s a real university. In fact, that’s the comment I’ve heard from people who have visited the campus and also from students.

3. Will having its own home enable the college and its students to connect more with the region’s business community?