 A group of students make a presentation as part of their business speaking course, which is required for all business majors. |
Aliber Hall accommodates more students as demand for CBPA faculty, rooms grows
With nearly 660 more students taking classes taught by Drake’s College of Business and Public Administration faculty than in 2004-05, the college recently updated Aliber Hall to provide better facilities and resources for more students.
“Our newly renovated rooms created more space for Drake students to learn, interact and present in state-of-the-art classrooms, and give faculty the resources and technology they need to teach in today’s world,” said Charlie Edwards, dean of the college.
The four room renovations in Aliber Hall were made possible by generous gifts totaling nearly $127,000 from alumni:
• Larry Zimpleman, BN’73, GR’79
• Dwight “Joe” Dollison, BN’68
• Bruce Foster, BN’78
• Bill Buchanan, BN’57
The project includes three classrooms — the Professional Presentation Studio, the Graduate and Professional Education Center and a fully electronic classroom — and one student study lounge.
The college’s second-floor Lamberti Conference Room and new Professional Presentation Studio was transformed into a communication studio classroom and designed to align with the college’s curriculum. A business-speaking course that focuses on speaking, writing and presentations is taught in the room where students also make presentations and speeches.
“Professional speaking is a key skill in today’s business world,” Zimpleman said. “Kathi and I are so glad to help provide Drake with the resources needed to enhance the learning environment for students.”
The space, which holds 28-30 students, is equipped with resources including:
• Two 42-inch flat-screen TVs
• A camera system for audio, video recording and playback functions
• A display component which allows monitors to show laptop, DVD or VCR displays
• A projection screen
• A variety of microphones
In this presentation studio, students use the technology to make and record presentations for their business speaking course including employee training sessions, professional interviews, addresses to CEOs, company motivational talks and recognition speeches. The playback function in this room will allow students and faculty to critique and evaluate presentations.
“Room 204 is a great resource for students to use to prepare and perfect professional speaking skills,” said Danika Portz, sophomore accounting and marketing major from Remsen, Iowa. “My favorite resource is the recording tool that allows you to identify natural tendencies and evaluate your presentations.”
 Professor Lance Noe teaches a course in the Graduate and Professional Education Center. |
The college’s first-floor Graduate and Professional Education Center, which was originally four small rooms, was renovated for graduate and professional studies courses and programs. The room was designed specifically for certificate program training, which offers a customized curriculum created by client/firm leaders and Drake. In the past, Drake has partnered with Principal Financial Group, among others.
“The Center for Professional Studies holds 120 days of professional education on campus each year,” said Lance Noe, director of the center. “The goal in creating this room was to develop learning space that includes leading edge technology in a setting that promotes interactive, discussion-oriented Drake learning experiences.”
Because students meet as a group from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the room is filled with comfortable chairs and stadium-style seating — optimal for class discussions — as well as a kitchenette area where students can enjoy refreshments and snacks during class breaks. Each workstation has power and Internet outlets and white boards occupy two walls.
The new state-of-the-art education center is equipped with two flat-screen monitors — 65-inches — and a recording and display component for teaching and presentations. The monitors and display component are operated through the room’s sophisticated one-touch Crestron control panel.
 Professor Tom Root uses new technology to teach students in room 2. |
“This technology allows students to review their presentations and develop new skills in this critical professional area,” Noe added. “It also is designed so that the faculty member can easily integrate video, Internet, PowerPoint, white board and overhead projection throughout the class.”
In addition, the college gained more classroom space on the lower level in a room that used to house the student lounge area. The new electronic classroom (room 2) also has a 42-inch flat-screen monitor and display component for teaching and presentations.
The college also reconsidered unused space in a large storage area and revitalized the space for the new student lounge. The spacious lounge has wireless Internet, vending machines and a sitting area where students can study and relax between classes.