$20M Tippie gift propels new University of Iowa ‘business education complex’

IOWA CITY — A year after the University of Iowa aired plans for a multistage expansion and modernization of its Tippie College of Business, the Henry B. Tippie family has committed another $20 million toward a campaign to make the project happen.

The gift will help cover the $45 to $60 million project aimed at creating more space for the growing college by enclosing the internal courtyard patio of the Pappajohn Business Building and modernizing neighboring Gilmore Hall for business college use.

In announcing the gift, the university shared new details about its vision for a “state-of-the-art business education complex” — including plans for a “dual-purpose glass atrium” linking the John Pappajohn Business Building and Gilmore Hall through “a nexus for creative collaborations in the heart of the business campus.”

The project will create more flexible classrooms, team huddle rooms, innovative learning labs, an executive boardroom, mentoring and tutoring space, and a large community gathering space, according to campus officials.

“This leadership gift will help us create state-of-the-art classrooms, expand faculty space to support our growing student body, and enhance student engagement,” UI College of Business Dean Amy Kristof-Brown said. “It will also strengthen our role as an entrepreneurial hub and driver of economic growth, while providing much-needed event spaces to showcase our outstanding programs.”

‘Record-high’ enrollment

The John Pappajohn Business Building debuted at the corner of Jefferson and Clinton streets in 1994 thanks, in part, to contributions from Henry Tippie and his wife Patricia — who throughout the campaign for that original $34 million building supported a 175-seat auditorium, student lounge, and “Pat’s Diner,” named after Patricia.

As the couple’s $4 million contribution to the building fund was among the largest in UI history at that time, the university in 1999 renamed its business college after Tippie — the first UI academic division named in a person’s honor.

Since the 187,000-square-foot Pappajohn Business Building debuted three decades ago, the college it houses has more than doubled enrollment, “far beyond what the building was designed to accommodate.”

Ranked No. 17 among public business schools, according to U.S. News & World Report, and No. 27 overall nationally — including both public and private colleges — Tippie in the fall enrolled 3,386 undergraduate students, up 75 percent from a decade ago, when business was the 10th most popular undergraduate program of study.

In fall 2024, business had surged to the top of the list as the most popular program of study — including both direct and standard admit students — with other business-related majors making the top 10 too, including finance and enterprise leadership.

Tippie in just one year from fall 2023 to fall 2024 added 400 undergrad students, and the planned expansion would add 65,000 square feet to accommodate the college’s “record high number of undergraduates — and prepare for a future of continued enrollment growth.”

‘Fundraising efforts’

Breaking down proposed project costs, modernizing the 115-year-old Gilmore Hall would cost $30 million to $40 million — relocating the UI Graduate College and other academic and research departments, making its entire 43,000 square feet available for current and future business needs.

The Tippie-specific renovations are expected to cost $15 to $20 million — funded through donations, college revenues, and reserves. The university told regents last year that — based on preplanning and a fundraising effort — UI would bid the Gilmore Hall and Pappajohn building work separately, allowing for better bidding and construction scheduling efficiencies, and aligning “with intended fundraising efforts.”

“The Tippie family has created a beautiful legacy that embodies the Hawkeye spirit,” UI Center for Advancement President Lynette Marshall said. “We’re so grateful for the continued dedication to our people and these incredible spaces.”

The Iowa Board of Regents approved the facility expansion in August 2024.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

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