It’s official. At noon yesterday, the University of St. Thomas College of Business became the Opus College of Business.
The new name was announced at a ceremony in Schulze Hall auditorium on the university’s Minneapolis campus. After the program in the auditorium, the audience walked next door to Terrence Murphy Hall where the new name was unveiled inside the atrium, and above the outside doors at 10th Street and LaSalle Avenue.
At about that same time, over on the university's St. Paul campus, the new name was unveiled on Summit Avenue in front of McNeely Hall, the new business education building that was formally dedicated just the day before.
The Opus College of Business is named in honor of The Opus Group, a national real estate development company that has been an active part of the St. Thomas community for a half-century.
Since 1959, Opus has designed or built more than 20 buildings on St. Thomas campuses and has contributed to the university’s distinguished architectural style, often referred to as Collegiate Gothic.
Gerald Rauenhorst, founder of Opus, is a 1948 St. Thomas graduate. He has served the university in many capacities, including 40 years as a trustee. He opened his remarks at the ceremony Thursday by saying, simply: “I love this place.”
Other speakers were Dr. Christopher Puto, dean of the Opus College of Business; Father Dennis Dease, president of St. Thomas; Mark Rauenhorst, Opus’ president and CEO and son of Gerald.
For a sampling of their remarks at the ceremony Thursday, click here.
