Saunders College of Business unveils upgraded Max Lowenthal Hall with ‘Opening Bell’ ceremony

RIT’s Saunders College of Business marked the start of the academic year with a “Opening Bell” ceremony and picnic Aug. 28 to unveil the latest upgrades to Max Lowenthal Hall.

RIT President David Munson, donors and alumni Chance Wright ’18 (advertising photography); Susan Holliday ’85 (MBA); Dinah Gueldenpfennig Weisberg ’97 MS (software development and management), ’03 (EMBA); and serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and college namesake E. Philip Saunders; along with Daniel Lootens, a fourth-year management information systems major; Taliah Clark, a graduate student studying business administration; and Assemblymember Harry Bronson joined Saunders College Dean Jacqueline Mozrall in ringing the opening bell, signifying that the college’s expansion is “open for business” for the new academic year.

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Carlos Ortiz/RIT

As part of the festivities, donors, administrators, and guests of the university rang opening bells signifying that the expansion is officially ‘open for business.'

Designed by LaBella Associates, this more than $25 million expansion almost doubles the size of RIT’s business college, adding more than 35,000 square feet. The upgraded Max Lowenthal Hall features renovated classrooms, student team rooms, applied research and case analysis labs, an event space and reception hall, state-of-the-art auditorium, a café, and outdoor spaces.

“At RIT, business integrates technology and design, showcasing what can be achieved through, education and entrepreneurship,” Mozrall said. “This expansion will enhance interdisciplinary collaborations, research, and community engagement, fueling creativity and innovation among future business leaders.”

The project was made possible by alumni and friends, including transformational gifts from Saunders College alumni and friends, including Saunders; Wright; Holliday; Gueldenpfennig Weisberg; the late Klaus Gueldenpfennig ’74 MS (electrical engineering), ’77 (MBA); and Brigitte Gueldenpfennig ’81 (MBA), who collectively committed more than $14.5 million toward the project. Saunders College also received support from New York state as part of the Higher Education Capital Matching Grant and Empire State Development Life Sciences Entrepreneur Grant Programs.

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Carlos Ortiz/RIT

From left to right, Assemblymember Harry Bronson, college namesake E. Philip Saunders, and RIT President David Munson enjoy the ‘Opening Bell’ celebration.

“We’re a school with a great dean, great faculty, and great students and alumni,” Phil Saunders said. “I’ve gotten to know a lot of these students, and the quality of our students is very impressive. When they graduate from here, they’re ready to go to work. This was a piece of the puzzle that we were missing, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.”

Originally built in the late 1970s and designed by the late Robert Macon, Max Lowenthal Hall has been reimagined to honor its original architectural language, while introducing modern design elements.