The HNI Charitable Foundation has pledged $1 million to the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, supporting the creation of a state-of-the-art business education facility through a major renovation and expansion project.
HNI Corporation, a leading manufacturer of workplace furnishings and residential building products based in Muscatine, has maintained a long-standing partnership with the university. The company’s latest investment will help renovate both the John Pappajohn Business Building and the adjacent Gilmore Hall, integrating them into a single, modernised facility equipped with advanced classroom technology and collaborative learning spaces.
According to a release, the project aims to prepare students for real-world business environments by offering immersive educational experiences and expanded resources for career development.
“HNI is proud to support the renovation and expansion at the Tippe College of Business, an investment not only in the university’s future but in the future of Iowa’s business community,” said Jeff Lorenger, chairman, president and chief executive officer of HNI Corporation. “This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and strengthening the connection between education and industry.”
The renovation will address the college’s growing student population, which has more than doubled since the Pappajohn building opened in 1994. Tippie College leaders anticipate continued growth, driven by evolving academic models that prioritise team-based learning and industry engagement.
Amy Kristof-Brown, Henry B. Tippie Dean, said the project will transform how students and faculty interact and collaborate.
“This expansion will give our students room to grow, both academically and professionally, by creating space for everything from team-based capstone projects and innovative coworking space to industry partnerships through executives in residence and industry-focused student centers,” she said.
Opened in 1910, Gilmore Hall originally housed the College of Law and currently serves the Graduate College and other academic departments. The updated facility will feature a connecting atrium, new laboratories, student gathering areas, expanded career services and faculty offices grouped by academic disciplines to encourage collaboration.
The Iowa Board of Regents approved the expansion in August 2024. The $60 million project, primarily funded by private donors, is expected to be completed by Fall 2028.
