The Craig School of Business plans to begin construction on the Ruiz Foods Executive Classrooms, an annex to the existing University Business Center offering two new executive-style classrooms with stadium seating and innovative technology. A public groundbreaking will be held June 7 at 9 a.m. on the north lawn in front of Duncan Patio.

The project is made possible by a $1 million pledge from Ruiz Food Products, Inc., a Dinuba-based food manufacturing company. The anticipated completion date is summer of 2019.

The Ruiz family has a history of supporting business education at Fresno State. Fred Ruiz is a founder of the Institute for Family Business, a community resource that promotes family businesses as a catalyst for economic growth. Kim Ruiz Beck is an alumna of the Craig School and serves on the Foundation Board of Governors for the California State University.

Their gift will help finance construction of two classrooms designed to replicate what executives would expect, allowing for faculty to fully utilize technology in presentations to improve learning outcomes for undergraduate, MBA and executive MBA students.

"While the classrooms will be used for our executive MBA program and accelerated bachelor’s program, they will also serve as vital spaces for other students within the University as well," said Dr. Robert Harper, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

The added space will also serve the community. When not in use for academic purposes, the space will be available for rental from the University Business Center.

See more.