The O'Malley School of Business at Manhattan College Unveils Transformation of Third Floor, De La Salle Hall

The O'Malley School of Business held a ceremony on October 20 to commemorate the grand opening of the newly renovated third floor of De La Salle Hall, a state-of-the-art space designed to inspire innovation, collaboration and academic excellence. 

The transformation of the third floor of De La Salle marks a significant milestone in the ongoing commitment of the O'Malley School of Business to providing cutting-edge education and resources for its students and faculty. The renovation, which began in 2022 and was completed in summer 2023, has resulted in a learning environment that combines modern aesthetics with the latest in educational technology. The project’s lead donor is Thomas O’Malley ’63, O’Malley and his wife, Mary Alice are the most generous donors in the history of Manhattan College. He is the former chairman of the Board of Trustees. 

“Today, we celebrate a huge leap forward for the O’Malley School, completing a total makeover of the third floor of De La Salle Hall,” said Milo Riverso ’81, Ph.D., P.E., president of Manhattan College. “This venerable hall had remained unchanged for 80 years, until now. The significant renovations and additions we see today, including the new high-tech collaboration room and Business Analytics and CIS lab, will help to drive enrollment to the business school and improve student learning.” 

“This endeavor has been a journey, one that began in 2022 and has culminated in the creation of a dynamic learning environment,” said Don Gibson, Ph.D., dean of the O’Malley School of Business. “This renewal signals the innovation, collaboration and academic excellence that exemplify the O’Malley School and Manhattan College.”

The renovated third floor includes a variety of new features including refurbished classrooms, a business analytics/CIS lab, student lounge and student-team-based work rooms. 

Mark Pfaff ’80, a retired executive vice president of New York Life Insurance Company and with his wife Claudia Pfaff, donors for the De La Salle third floor’s high-tech collaboration classroom,  explained at the ceremony why he is a donor. 

“I have the belief that whether it’s the school that you go to, the place that you work, or where you live, you should leave the place better than when you got in there,” Plaff told the audience. "I’m not sure if there’s ever been a better time to be a Jasper. I’m not sure that there’s been a more important time to be a Jasper with the values that we come out of here with.” 

Seven classrooms have been renovated and equipped with new furniture, advanced technology, upgraded flooring and enhanced lighting, creating an optimal setting for engaging and interactive learning experiences. The new business analytics/CIS lab is outfitted with 30 high-speed computers with external drives on each of the computers so students can store their data and the space boasts full lecture capture capability. This facility empowers students to delve into the world of data-driven decision making and gain valuable hands-on experience. 

The addition of a spacious student lounge provides a dedicated area for work, study and meetings. The space is designed to foster collaboration, networking and a sense of community among students. Three team-based work rooms, featuring glass walls facing the student lounge, offer a unique environment for group projects, brainstorming sessions and collaboration. These rooms are equipped with connected video screens that allow students to share documents to facilitate effective teamwork. The rooms are sound proofed. 

“It is heartwarming to see the O’Malley School of Business establish dedicated spaces for business students to flourish and create lasting relationships with their peers,” said Theresa Donlan ’25, an honors student majoring in accounting at the O’Malley School of Business, who gave  remarks at the ceremony. “As we all know, it is the Jasper community, which extends beyond the borders of this campus, that we all hold dear to our hearts. The business school here at Manhattan College has become a hub for innovation and excellence, drawing in students who will break through the glass ceiling and abandon the status quo.”