Lake Superior State University (LSSU) School of Business is undergoing a major transformation as the university officials have decided to rename the school as the Lukenda School of Business after a generous donor and alumnus, Lou Lukenda DDS of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

The business school will also be shifted to a new location, South Hall, which is a former army barracks. South Hall is one of the several remaining brick buildings located on the southeast end of campus.

The construction will start next year and the estimated cost is projected around $12 million.

"Today we enter into a new era of business education at Lake Superior State University," said David Finley, dean of the LSSU College of Business and Engineering. "We are forever binding our business school to the name of someone who has been one of our most steadfast supporters."

Lukenda was a member of LSSU Foundation's board of directors for nearly 20 years, a recipient of LSSU's Outstanding Alumnus Award and earned an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the university.

Tony McLain, LSSU President said that Lukenda had supported many initiatives in the campus, including the renovation of the barracks.

Initially the university officials planned to demolish the hall and construct a new building in its place. But LSSU's Infrastructure Committee developed plans in such a way that the old fort structure will be preserved and renovated.

The construction of the hall will initially include revamping the existing 32,000 sq. ft., and installing required infrastructure for classroom and office spaces.

Then, the university officials are planning to add approximately 12,000 sq. ft. to the original two wings to form an atrium. This will feature an interactive commons, an expanded café, new program rooms and support room.