Campus Foundations
Laying the Groundwork
Breaking New Ground
Campus Foundations

Ivey reflects on the places in which it has been housed, from humble beginnings in the basement of Huron College to the award-winning Richard Ivey Building. Each campus is an extension of Ivey’s identity, commitment to sustainable design, and continual expansion of its global network.

Laying the Groundwork

The Collegiate Gothic style of the limestone buildings at Western house the early beginnings of the School. Distancing itself from its Western locations, from Huron College to University College, the School takes steps to establish its own identity at Goodholme. With a newfound presence, the Schools builds new facilities to accommodate the needs of students, staff, faculty, and affiliates.

Huron College
1922

Huron College, later the first campus of Western University.

University College
1924

University College, one of the first buildings to be completed on the new campus.

Goodholme
1951

The Department moves to Goodholme, the former estate of London businessman, James Good, located near the current location of King's College.

The front door and entrance hall to Goodholme was of ‘baronial’ proportions and the office the dean occupied was the large library of the former owner of the estate.

1951

F.W.P. Jones, Learning to Lead, p. 58

Spencer Hall
1978

Opening of Spencer Hall Continuing Education Centre (renamed Spencer Leadership Centre in 2006).

NCMRD
1986

The National Centre for Management Research and Development (NCMRD) building opens.

 J.J. Wettlaufer Executive Development Centre
1991

J.J. Wettlaufer Executive Development Centre opens in Toronto.

Expanding the Infrastructure

Over the course of the years, the Spencer Leadership Centre and NCMRD undergo name changes and several expansions to accommodate the growing School. The School also builds a new campus in downtown Toronto and in Hong Kong.

Spencer Hall
1992

Spencer Hall doubles in size to meet the needs of the Western Business School and the Bank of Nova Scotia.

The Cheng Yu Tung Management Institute
1998

The Cheng Yu Tung Management Institute officially opens thanks to the generous support of Henry K.S. Cheng, HBA '71, MBA '72, LLD '97.

Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management
2002

The NCMRD is expanded by the addition of an atrium and is renamed the Lawrence National Centre for Policy and Management.

Spencer Conference Centre New Wing
2002

Spencer Conference Centre is expanded and renovated with the new entrance wing being named the Donald K. Johnson Executive Wing, after the generous support of Donald K. Johnson, MBA '63.

Pierre L. Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship
2006

Ivey's Institute for Entrepreneurship is renamed Pierre L. Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship.

Tangerine Leadership Centre
2007

ING Leadership Centre (later renamed Tangerine Leadership Centre) officially opens in downtown Toronto.

C.B. "Bud" Johnston Library
2007

Ivey's business library is renovated and re-named in honour of C.B. "Bud" Johnston, HBA '54, MBA '57, Ivey's Dean from 1978-1989.

Breaking New Ground

The School is currently housed in, as Doreen Sanders once put it, a “glittering new building" built by Carol Stephenson in 2013. Since its opening, the Richard Ivey Building has won numerous awards for its design and carries the Gold LEED certification for its environmental sustainability. The School's facilities represent "a symbol of belief in the future of the School’s global pre-eminence."

Construction of New Ivey Building
2008

A site is selected and approved for a new landmark Ivey building in front of Brescia College on Western Road.

 Ian. O. Ihnatowycz
2010

Ivey announces the formation of the Ian. O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership following a generous gift from Ian Ihnatowycz and Marta Witer.

 Phase 1 Ivey Building Complete
2011

Phase I of Ivey's new building is completed.

Richard Ivey Building
2013

The Ivey Business School celebrates the grand opening of the Richard Ivey Building.

Commander Chris Hadfield Keynote Address
2013

The Grand Opening features a keynote address by former astronaut, Commander Chris Hadfield.

Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab
2016

Scotiabank gives $3 million to the School to create the Scotiabank Digital Banking Lab.

John F. Wood Centre for Innovation in Business Learning
2018

John F. Wood, HBA ’64, donates $7 million to create the John F. Wood Centre for Innovation in Business Learning.

Donald K. Johnson Centre
2019

Donald K. Johnson, O.C., MBA ’63, LLD ’07, donates $2.5 million, renaming Ivey's Toronto campus to the Donald K. Johnson Centre.

Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Powered by Ivey
2021

A $5.5-million donation from the Pierre L. Morrissette Family Foundation established the cross-campus Western Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, Powered by Ivey.

First Canadian Place
2023

Donald K. Johnson, O.C., MBA ’63, LLD ’07, gifts $30 million to expand Ivey's Toronto campus, tripling its size in First Canadian Place.

The Ivey Family
Founders, benefactors, and advisers whose vision for excellence is tied to the School's identity.
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Laying the Groundwork
Expanding the Infrastructure
Breaking New Ground