The University of Guelph’s Macdonald Hall — once the oldest residence on campus – will reopen Oct. 28 as the new home of the College of Business and Economics (CBE).
Celebratory events will include an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all students and members of the U of G community.
During the open house, students will have a chance to win hospitality gift cards by taking a selfie at their favourite spot in Macdonald Hall using the hashtag #machalluofg.
Altering the historical residence into academic space was part of the University’s residence strategic plan. Remaking the building into the University’s “gateway to business” was approved by the Board of Governors in 2014.
The renovation has introduced large, modern classrooms, multimedia-focused project rooms, expanded student support services and gathering spaces.
Macdonald Hall opened in 1903 to house women enrolled in the former Macdonald Institute, a founding college of U of G. Construction of both buildings was funded by philanthropist Sir William Macdonald.
Macdonald Hall has maintained U of G’s strong sense of tradition, and remains a landmark on campus.
Donors and supporters of Macdonald Hall may attend an invitation-only evening event Oct. 28 that includes tours and remarks by University and government officials.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of U of G’s business school. CBE offers programs in accounting, leadership, economics and finance, marketing and consumer studies, real estate and housing, food and agribusiness, and hospitality and tourism management.
Many of those programs were introduced by the former College of Family and Consumer Studies, created in 1970 as the successor to the Macdonald Institute.