The Albert and Margaret Alkek Foundation has awarded St. Mary’s University a five-year, $1 million grant to renovate the Albert B. Alkek Building for the Greehey School of Business, according to a news release.
St. Mary’s University has received nearly $8.7 million from the Alkeks, their corporation and their foundation over the years. Albert B. Alkek attended St. Mary’s and was a member of the university’s board of trustees.
St. Mary’s President Thomas Mengler said the Alkek Foundation’s generosity has been felt across the St. Mary’s University campus for many years in different ways.
“Each academic unit and student we serve have, in some way, benefited from the Foundation’s support, and we are truly grateful. As we continue to improve the educational experience and learning opportunities for St. Mary’s students, the Alkek Foundation’s partnership has played a significant role in helping us continue training successful and ethical leaders,” Mengler said in a statement.
In the 1970s, the Alkeks extended a gift to support theconstruction of the business building that bears their name, the release said.
Greehey School of Business Dean Rowena Ortiz-Walters said she is prioritizing the renovation of the building to provide students with the best learning environment possible.
“As we move forward, we aspire to achieve an even greater level of prominence for the Greehey School of Business and professional preparation for our students. The Alkek Building, home of the Greehey School of Business, is of material importance to our ability to achieve this vision,” Ortiz-Walters said in a statement.
The renovations encompass redesigning learning spaces, upgrading the student-centric atrium and acquiring new and emerging technology, the release said.
“We believe, by providing this grant for the renovation of the business building, the St. Mary’s faculty will soon have a state-of-the-art facility with the most current tools available to prepare our future leaders with the necessary skills to succeed in this ever-changing world,” said Charles Williams, Alkek Foundation president and a 1986 St. Mary’s graduate, in a statement.
Upgrades at the business building include:
- An experiential learning lab with a flexible workspace and digital interactive tables to encourage student collaboration;
- A career and professional development room where students can interview for internships, jobs and graduate programs;
- A presentation practice room with recording equipment where students can hone communication and public speaking skills; and
- A supportive area for tutoring and mentoring.
