New 167,000 Square-Foot Building will Serve as Home to
GW School of Business and Public Management

WASHINGTON – The George Washington University has broken ground on a new 167,000 square-foot business school complex. The new building, to be named Ric and Dawn Duques Hall, will be the home of the University’s School of Business and Public Management (SBPM) and will include high-tech classrooms, team rooms, a career center and computer labs.

“Today’s groundbreaking is in a class by itself,” said GW President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg at the event. “This demonstrates an unprecedented commitment on the part of the supporters of the School of Business and Public Management to the well-being of that School.”

Duques Hall, to be located adjacent to Funger Hall on 22^nd Street, will include a Capital Markets Room, where students can access real-time quotes, use proprietary software and financial information systems, and learn the skills necessary for financial modeling, trading and portfolio management. It will also include an executive conference center and a 115-seat auditorium for guest lecturers and special events. A late fall 2004 or early 2005 occupancy date is planned.

“As we start with this new building today it is our hope that we make The George Washington University an even greater university,” said Ric Duques, BBA ’65, MBA ‘69. “That greatness will be derived from a world-class faculty and a world-class administration, who together will recruit and educate world-class students.

Currently, the primary building for SBPM is the Hall of Government, the School’s home since 1938. The School also occupies the adjacent Monroe Hall, as well as several other buildings across GW’s downtown Washington campus. The new complex will house the entire School. SmithGroup, Inc. is the architect of the project; construction is being managed by Whiting-Turner.

“The construction of Duques Hall and the development of a new complex for the School of Business and Public Management is a great opportunity for GW students,” said SBPM Dean Susan Phillips. “This opportunity will help strengthen the reputation for management education not only in the academic world but also the global and local business communities.”

Ric Duques, chairman of First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC), earned his Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accountancy in 1965 and his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in accountancy and finance in 1969, both from GW. He also serves on GW’s Board of Trustees, and earned a GW Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award in 1993. Dawn Duques earned a BA at GW’s School of Education and Human Development in 1968. Their son, David, graduated from GW with a BBA in 1997, and their daughter, Tiffany, graduated with a BBA in 2002.

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