LOUISVILLE, Ky. - More than 100 dignitaries, alumni, donors and students today celebrated the groundbreaking for a new equine center wing, the first-ever addition to the University of Louisville College of Business.

The two-story, eco-friendly 7245 sq. ft. addition will cost $3.38 million and will include a green roof and sky garden.

“Today we expand the college’s commitment to equine-business education and entrepreneurship, two programs that have distinguished the college internationally,” College of Business Dean Charlie Moyer told supporters.

Special guests included John Long, president and CEO of the U.S. Equestrian Federation and Ned Bonnie, a member of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

“For the UofL Equine Industry Program, this new building is a dream come true,” said EIP Director Rich Wilcke. “It gives us the opportunity to bring our equine faculty and staff offices together, and to have a resource center, a computer lab, a reception area, and a conference room, all dedicated to equine. Most of all, it will give us the capacity to develop a brand new center for applied equine-industry research.”

Wilcke said because of its streetside location, the new addition also will offer passersby tangible and visible evidence of the program’s rapid rise into ranks of premiere colleges of business.

“Our academic standards are among the highest in the entire Midwest, overall rankings continue to rise,” he said. “And for those who may not know, we are the one and only place in the entire world where students can earn an AACSB-accredited business degree with a full-blown major in equine business.”

(AACSB certification is the international gold standard for accrediting the highest quality collegiate business programs.)

The Equine Industry Program (EIP) will occupy the second floor of the new addition. The program attracts students from around the globe. Its graduates represent the next generation of business leaders in equine broadcasting, publishing, education, facilities, racing, breeding, association management and other areas of the industry. The new space is slated to include a new institute for equine enterprise management, expanding the equine program’s applied research and service capabilities to the industry and creating new learning opportunities for students.

The college’s Forcht Center for Entrepreneurship will occupy the first floor of the addition. The Forcht Center offers a comprehensive suite of programs and experiences that prepare students to launch new ventures and bring entrepreneurial thinking to existing corporate environments. Its programs are ranked among the best in the world.

“In sharing this space, these two exceptional programs create synergy that will further enhance student experiences,” said Dean Moyer. “It reflects our pledge to be the best at what we do best.”

A combination of state funds and private donations are being sought to finance the project. Contributors making significant gifts will have the opportunity to name selected areas, including the entire addition.

John P. Chovan, the design consultant on the original College of Business facility, is the project architect for Arrasmith, Judd, Rapp, Chovan, Inc. Louisville general contractor F.W. Owens Co. has been awarded the construction contract. Construction is expected to begin in October, with completion in late 2011 or early 2012.

For more information about the U of L College of Business and its programs, visit business.louisville.edu or call 502.852.6440