University Letter

UND's faculty and staff newsletter

Final beam raised for Nistler College building

The final structural beam was raised into place April 1 on the Nistler College of Business & Public Administration (NCoBPA) building project on campus. The beam raising marks a major milestone in the construction project and was celebrated with a luncheon for construction workers.

President Andrew Armacost told the workers it was just September when the groundbreaking ceremony was held next to a hole in the ground and, already, they’ve reached this important point in the construction. “We’ve been stunned by the progress that has gone on here,” he said.

Armacost said a plaque would be installed that will list the names of all the people who will have worked on the building. “You’re the ones who made this happen,” he said.

NCoBPA Dean Amy Henley reminded the construction workers that their efforts will benefit students for generations to come. “When the doors of this building open,” Henley said, “your amazing efforts on this project will impact generations of future leaders. You have built an iconic building that will be forever centered in the heart of our campus, creating connections for our campus, our students and the community as a whole.”

The Nistler College of Business & Public Administration building project is being funded by $50 million in private donations and $20 million provided by the state of North Dakota during the 2019 Legislative Session. The successful fundraising effort was kicked off with a lead gift from Werner, a 1968 UND graduate, and Colleen Nistler.

“This building is a credit to our donors, our state lawmakers, UND leadership and, of course, all of you who are taking this dream and lifting, hammering, welding, and willing it into existence,” said DeAnna Carlson Zink, CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “On behalf of the students who will benefit from your labor, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The tradition of having donors, dignitaries and others sign the beam before its placement has been modified due to COVID-19 restrictions. Instead, during Homecoming this fall, people will be asked to sign a magnetic sheet that will be affixed to the beam, which will be visible in the fourth-floor faculty lounge.

Following the luncheon, the beam was raised into place and workers then unfurled an American flag at the top of the north tower.

Construction on the 123,000-square-foot building started in August. The goal is to have the building completed in time for the start of classes in August of 2022. The construction is being managed by PCL Construction and Community Contractors.