“With the completion of the Scharnberg Business and Communication Center, I am thrilled that the quality of the facility now matches the quality of the faculty,” University President Thomas White said. “Whether it’s in business, communication, or cybersecurity, this new center will enhance engagement and student learning, and most importantly, be a place where lives are transformed for eternity.”
The new center is home of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, the Department of Communication, the Center for the Advancement of Cybersecurity and the new Berry Center for Free Enterprise.
University officials said it will have classrooms and a customizable auditorium that can seat more than 500 people for conferences and large classes, or can be subdivided to provide multiple educational spaces. The building also has a state-of-the-art cybersecurity laboratory, faculty offices and The Cafe — a new on-campus dining option featuring a quick, health menu.
“The caliber of this new facility, with its technological capabilities and innovative space design, reflects Cedarville’s commitment to academic excellence,” said business school dean Jeff Haymond. “Our purpose in the Plaster School of Business is to prepare students for a lifetime of ministry and service through their professional careers.”
The Scharnberg Business and Communication Center was named in honor of Lorne C. Scharnberg, a trustee emeritus at Cedarville who began his service on the board in 1994 and served three terms as chair before transitioning to emeritus status in 2018.
Mark Scharnberg, a 1997 graduate of Cedarville and the son of Lorne, contributed $10 million for the construction on behalf of the Scharnberg family and their businesses, Katecho and Surmasis Pharmaceuticals of Des Moines, Iowa.
“I am excited to be in a building where I genuinely feel inspired,” said sophomore marketing major Will Woods. “The collaboration rooms and professional atmosphere, with decor and architecture that honestly just look cool, will elevate my creativity and productivity.”
Daniel Petek, president of Castek Aluminum and chair of Cedarville’s Board of Trustees, provided the prayer of dedication. Petek’s family donated the Stinger statue earlier this month.
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