MSU opens $3 million state-of-the-art center for business undergrads

Accounting student Kapri Malesich wrote "Hi" with her finger on a computer screen that was projected onto a wall, showing off just one of the high-tech tricks possible at the new $3 million Bracken Center at Montana State University.

"It’s pretty cool," Malesich said. "It will be really ideal for group brainstorming."

Instead of huddling around a small laptop, College of Business http://www.montana.edu/cob/ students working on a group project now can project the computer screen onto a Smart Board and edit their work by writing directly on the board, she said.

Malesich and other students gave demonstrations Tuesday evening at the formal opening of The Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education http://www.montana.edu/cob/bracken/brackenhome.htm . Dozens of people turned out to celebrate the event with a ribbon cutting and champagne.

It’s highly unusual among U.S. business colleges to have a major donation focused on improving undergraduate education, rather than on a master’s program, said MSU Business Dean Rich Semenik.

By GAIL SCHONTZLER, Chronicle Staff Writer

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