Building the Future: Saunders College of Business Expansion

Open 2024

Welcome to the Next Generation of Business!

Experience the latest, industry-inspired, state-of-the-art facilities, at the intersection of business and technology.

Infrastructure

for the Next Generation

of Business

Students in Saunders College of Business receive a unique education; one that integrates business with technology and design thinking. The expansion is driving creativity and innovation among the next generation of business leaders.

RIT is committed to supporting this forward-thinking educational approach with facilities that fosters student and faculty collaboration, accommodates new academic programs, and encourages community engagement.

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Special Features

Jack Shirman Commons

The Jack Shirman Commons highlights the many commons and team rooms providing flexible spaces to drive student and faculty collaboration.

Gueldenpfennig Auditorium

Gueldenpfennig Auditorium, a state-of-the-art auditorium, supports distinguished guest lectures and events, enabling rich engagement of students, faculty, alums, and business and community leaders.

sklarsky analytics lab

The Sklarsky Center for Business Analytics is one of several applied research collaboratories supporting research that addresses contemporary business challenges.

The Susan R. Holliday Center

The Susan R. Holliday Center, a premier, multi-functional event venue that also serves as a learning laboratory for hospitality-related programs.

The Saunders Stock Market

Bytes @ Saunders Stock Market, a 24/7 grab-and-go micro market with comfortable seating, has beverages and snacks to refuel and study throughout the day and evening.

the back of an empty classroom

The Daniel D. Tessoni Business Activities Center showcases one of the many existing classrooms renovated to support innovative, student-centered pedagogy while providing the latest technology.

Gallery

Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-1215 Joseph M. Lobozzo Executive MBA Room
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-A950 Hope and Lance Drummond Lounge
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-3049 Jack Shirman Commons
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-3049 Jack Shirman Commons
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-1912 The Palmer Family Community Atrium
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-1050 Gueldenpfennig Auditorium
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-A080 McCue Family Commons
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall – room-1135 Lecture Hall
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall – room-1135 Lecture Hall
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall - room-4950 Susan R. Holliday Center Reception
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall – room-3025 Krupnicki Board Room
Saunders College of Business, Lowenthal Hall – room-3025 Krupnicki Board Room

In 2024, Saunders College of Business expansion nearly doubled its footprint. Inspired by the latest technology and building features found in industry, with an additional 36,000 square feet, Saunders College incorporates essential elements of applied learning and collaboration.

The expansion features a premier university event space that doubles as an experiential learning lab for hospitality students. The location benefits the entire RIT community as thousands of visitors and students attend conferences, workshops, celebrations, and several other events each year.

Originally designed by Robert Macon, Max Lowenthal Hall, was constructed in the late 1970s. The new design by LaBella Associates honors the architectural language of the existing building, while reinterpreting materials to present them in a more modern way.

The Inspiration and Gifts

Led by our namesake, E. Philip Saunders, The Saunders Challenge inspired the next generation of business at RIT. This project was only possible with the support of Saunders College alumni and friends. Donors and awards collectively committed nearly $12 million toward the project.

  • E. Philip Saunders serial entrepreneur and philanthropist;
  • Chance Wright ’18 (advertising photography), ’19 (MBA);
  • Susan Holliday ’85 (MBA);
  • Klaus Gueldenpfennig ’74 MS (electrical engineering), ’77 (MBA);
  • Brigitte Gueldenpfennig ’81 (MBA);
  • Dinah Gueldenpfennig Weisberg ’97 MS (software development and management), ’03 (EMBA);
  • New York state’s Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program.
SCB and RIT Leadership ringing bells at the opening

Grand Opening

Saunders College of Business celebrates the grand opening of Max Lowenthal Hall with an Opening Bell ceremony, celebrating the expansion and the donors who made it all possible.

View Opening Bell Ceremony

Dr. Munson, E. Philip Saunders, and several other VIPs breaking ground on the expansion to Max Lowenthal Hall.

Ground Breaking

Max Lowenthal Hall begins its transformation into incredible spaces where our RIT business students will thrive.

Track the progress of the expansion

Building progress of the Saunders expansion

Enhance learning by providing modern spaces that support collaboration, networking, applied research, and business community engagement.

 Time lapse video of the expansion

Carmyn Gomez sitting at a table.

This expansion project will enhance interaction among students and faculty as there will be more available space for collaboration and teamwork. Additionally, the expansion will help to support our unique and growing business programs in management information systems, supply chain management, analytics, and entrepreneurship.

 

Carmyn A. Gomez

BS supply chain management and international business,
MBA industrial systems and engineering management