Wilmington College’s new Buren Center for Business was described as “a hub of opportunity” at Friday’s (Oct. 17) ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility that serves both as home for the Business, Accounting and Economics Department and as another campus meeting space for public gatherings.
The Wilmington/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event, which introduced the facility to the community. Located on the main floor of historic Bailey Hall, the Buren Center for Business features a large conference center, several offices and a lobby/lounge area with a stock ticker and illuminated global time zone display. It also offers a new ADA-accessible building entrance.
Tim Buren, a WC alumnus from the Class of 1983 and member of the Board of Trustees, provided the financial support to transform what previously housed the Campus Health Clinic and a student lounge into the shining new Center.
Buren noted how College experience fostered his personal growth, provided him with the ability to think critically and instilled in him an appreciation for lifelong learning. The first in his family to graduate from college, Buren spoke of being “reintroduced” to the College’s values — based on Quaker testimonies — in recent years through his involvement with the former President’s Advisory Council and, since 2015, as a member of the Board of Trustees.
“I was a late bloomer to the Quaker testimonies,” he said about his newfound appreciation for the College’s values. “As we age, we look back on things differently,” Buren also hearkened to the College’s mantra popular in the early 2000s: “Make a Living, Make a Life and Make a Difference.” He credited the College as being foundational in his achieving the first two and, now, enjoying a successful career heading The Buren Insurance Group, he wishes to make a difference at his alma mater. “It’s a first stepping stone in our philanthropy,” he added.
President Corey Cockerill lauded Buren’s “commitment and extraordinary generosity” and his wife, Sharon’s, support and partnership.
“The Buren Center for Business is not just a building, it’s a hub of opportunity,” Cockerill said. “Each day, hundreds of students walk through its doors, finding services, resources and connections they need to thrive.” Indeed, the business, accounting and economics area — which also includes finance, cybersecurity, marketing, management, logistics/supply chain management, and the online undergraduate business and Master of Organizational Leadership programs — comprises more than 25 percent of the student body.
“Together, they form a vibrant community of learners whose educational purposes are being shaped every day by the opportunities created by the Buren Center for Business,” she added. “From classrooms and services to a conference center that welcomes business partners, this Center reflects Wilmington College’s commitment to access, connection and purpose-driven education. Tim’s gift is about ensuring that every Wilmington student has a chance to connect their education to real-world experiences, to industry leaders and to careers of meaning.”
PICTURED: Guests toured the Buren Center for Business, which includes a conference center, offices and a lobby/lounge featuring stock tickers and international time zone clocks.
Cockerill added that the Buren Center stands as a “living testament” to the truth that, at Wilmington College, purpose is not something we wait for; it’s something we prepare for, something we seek. “Because of Tim’s vision and his unwavering dedication as both a trustee and a benefactor, students will be able to explore new pathways, test their ideas and grow into leaders who carry with them not only the knowledge of business, but the values and purpose of a Wilmington College education — this impact is measured in every life changed!”
J. Brent Bill, chair of the Board of Trustees, noted how he and Buren, a fellow trustee and WC alumnus, “had our lives changed for the better at Wilmington College.”
Angela Mitchell, professor of business administration and associate vice president of academic affairs, added that the Buren Center also provides “a modern and inviting space” for recruiting students into the business programs. She also announced that the Center will soon add a dedicated area for the College to highlight notable alumni in the profession.
Eric McLaughlin, associate vice president for external relations and workforce development, said the Center also will welcome employers and industry partners as they interact with the College. “The Center is all about business and business-related careers, and about developing those skills and relationships,” he added. “Tim Buren is a visionary to make this happen.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Ribbon-cutting participants pictured from the left are: Dessie Rogers, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce; WC Trustees Elizabeth Garvey and Liz Newby; benefactors Sharon and Tim Buren; J. Brent Bill, chair of the Board of Trustees; President Corey Cockerill; Angela Mitchell, associate vice president for academic affairs; and Joseph Abner, deputy district director for U.S. Rep. David Taylor's office, the latter of whom read a Congressional Proclamation noting the Buren Center as "a place for learning, inspiration and progress."