Austin Hall

Austin Hall was designed to be an all-hours destination for students, serving as an open, comfortable and welcoming place that would foster discussion and collaboration in an environment tailored to providing a 21st century business education. 

Built for business

Opened September 2014, the bright, airy 100,000-square-foot building is clearly living up to its promise.

The building has 700 seats spread among 10 classrooms, plus 23 computer- and big-screen-equipped project rooms that students flock to, including in evenings and on weekends. Students also find the “hidden” study areas on the second and fourth floors behind the staircases. The west fourth-floor location in particular offers spectacular views.

Alumni leaders

Brought to you by beaver business alumni: the Jon Masterson Family Marketplace, complete with chairs, sofas and a fireplace; the Reser Student Success Center for academic and career advising; a light, airy atrium and study area dedicated to graduate students; event spaces, Trader Bing’s Café, and a wide, central staircase that creates opportunity for impromptu discussion.

Ken and Joan Austin and Al and Pat Reser provided the lead gifts for the $50M building, which was comprised of private philanthropy and state bonds. THA Architecture was the architect of Austin Hall and Andersen Construction (owned by alumnus David Andersen ’80) was the builder and general contractor.

Austin Hall facts

  • 100,000 sq. ft. total 
  • $50+ million dollar project finished on time and on budget ($30+ million from private philanthropy and $20 million in state bonds)
    • Nearly $2 million in state-of-the-art technology
    • $1.5 million in furnishings (classroom, collaborative areas, office, etc.)
  • 10 classrooms, including a 250-seat auditorium, a 65-seat and eight 48-seat classrooms
  • 700 total seats of classroom space
  • Reser Student Success Center which houses the Career Success Center and Academic Advising
  • 100 computer seats in open or classroom space and project rooms
  • MBA suite, including project rooms, team room, collaborative work/study area and program offices
  • Business Research Suite
  • 76 faculty offices, Ph.D. workroom, dean’s board room and eight conference rooms
  • Programs and operation offices/suites (Center for Family Enterprise, faculty services, communications and marketing)
  • Trader Bing’s Café on the first floor
  • First-floor Marketplace with a fireplace and seating for students to study, meet and collaborate 
  • Events Room which can hold events for up to 75 guests
  • As part of the Arts Commission, “Percent for Art” initiative, 1% of the building’s budget is dedicated to public art. Austin Hall features a two-story, 2D Art piece, titled “The Currency of Insight” and a 3D iconic Abacus representing the college’s history 

Business partners

Lead Gifts: Ken and Joan Austin $10 million, Al and Pat Reser $6 million

Career Success Center/College of Business Corporate Partners that have invested in the building and the center include: adidas, Aequitas Capital Management, Boeing, Daimler North American Trucks, Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance, The Odom Corporation, Bankers Association, OSU Federal (Community Credit Union). Also Dell, KPMG, a-dec, Portland General Electric, Reser’s and Salesforce are partners.

Architect: THA Architecture, Inc.

General Contractor: Andersen Construction