Ongoing upgrades will unite business faculty, staff under one roof

Renovations totaling almost $2 million are ongoing at Purdue University Fort Wayne’s Doermer School of Business Building. The second floor has been almost completely gutted and is being rebuilt to allow all of the school’s academic units to be housed in one location. The refit will include 10 classrooms and offices for 50 faculty and staff members.

“Students will benefit from having direct access to faculty offices, advising, and professional resources all in one place,” said Nodir Adilov, dean of the Doermer School of Business. “The new configuration also includes the Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus, where students from business and engineering work together on their innovative ideas. This space helps to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. For our many first-generation students, this kind of access and collaboration is especially valuable.”

Currently, faculty members in the departments of economics and finance, accounting, hospitality and tourism management, and marketing and management have offices located on PFW’s Main Campus. They’ll be moving over to the Doermer building on the South Campus during spring break or at the conclusion of the spring semester. Many of the classes, especially upper-level courses, will be moving with the faculty during the 2026–27 fall semester.

“The move will also help to expand our engagement with the community,” Adilov said. “Company representatives visit our classrooms to help students connect theory with practice. We also work with high schools to teach interview skills, offer dual credit courses, and improve financial literacy. These efforts connect our students to the community and help them grow professionally.”

Part of these second-floor renovations were paid for through $1.32 million in pledges announced in March 2024. Those gifts included work on Doermer’s first floor with updates to the recently completed Finance Lab powered by PNC. Along with the previously established Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Engineering Nexus, these areas provide larger, multiroom space across the building’s main common area.

“We are preparing future business leaders for northeast Indiana,” Adilov said. “Our new home will help students grow, connect, and make a lasting impact.”