The Sentry School of Business and Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will have a new home with the approval of the $98 million Sentry Hall modernization project by the State Building Commission on Oct. 28.
“This capital project will transform the Collins Classroom Center into a state-of-the-art facility to house the Sentry School. It will be named Sentry Hall,” said Interim Chancellor Pratima Gandhi. “This would not have been possible without a $10 million gift toward the school and building from Sentry Insurance in 2022. We are grateful for Sentry and the Building Commission for their support in our efforts to grow to meet Wisconsin’s educational and workforce needs.”
“This is one of the most meaningful and impactful investments we’ve ever made,” said Pete McPartland, Sentry Chairman and CEO. “We’re building more than a new home for business education. We’re helping UWSP continue to attract new students and leaders from many backgrounds to Stevens Point, while strengthening the workforce that will drive the entire region forward.”
The project began the design phase in fall 2023 with Aro Eberle Architects, was enumerated in the 2025-2027 state budget and was approved by the Board of Regents in August 2025. Construction will begin in the summer of 2026.
The project will add 20,000 square feet to the building and transform the interior into active learning classrooms, collaboration spaces and student centers. It includes replacing all building mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire suppression and heating/cooling systems. The building will feature a new facade to ensure it is energy efficient and thermally comfortable.
It will relocate the Anderson Classroom to Career Center, a one-stop student service center that connects Sentry School students to more than 30 corporate partners for networking and internships, from its current location in the College of Professional Studies (CPS) Building. In addition to housing faculty and administrative offices for the Sentry School, Sentry Hall will also include the CPS Dean’s Suite.
The facility will be home to a new Entrepreneurship Center, aiding students in resources for building a business, including the UWSP Small Business Development Center. Other centers will include the Center for Data Analytics, Center for Sales Excellence, Center for Business and Economic Insight and the Ruth E. Salzmann Center for Women’s Leadership. It will also include distance technology facilities to connect courses with branch campuses and place-bound students.
The Sentry School has seen enrollment increase by 51% over the past five years, and since 2023, more than 92% of graduates report finding employment within Wisconsin.
“The Sentry Hall modernization project will allow us to continue to expand applied learning opportunities for our students in support of our mission to develop career-ready graduates and leaders,” said Kevin Neuman, head of the Sentry School of Business and Economics. “This project is an investment in UWSP students as well as the citizens and employers of Wisconsin and beyond.”
“UW-Stevens Point continues to invest in its students by expanding our campus with new, state-of-the-art facilities,” said Gandhi. “Starting in 2018 with the construction of the Haeni Chemistry Biology Building and continuing with the UWSP Welcome Center, Health and Wellness Center, the new Library and Student Resource Center opening next spring and plans for Sentry Hall, our campus growth ensures modern and engaging spaces for our students to discover their purpose.”
UWSP’s Sentry School of Business and Economics provides students with professional development experiences, access to employers and in-demand skills. Majors include accounting, business administration, business economics, data analytics, finance, management and marketing as well as an MBA in applied leadership and decision-making. The Sentry School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), an achievement earned by only 5% of the world’s schools offering business degrees.
Sentry provides business, commercial and specialty insurance solutions to small, mid-sized and large businesses across multiple industries. As a leader in business insurance, Sentry helps businesses manage risk with tailored solutions backed by decades of expertise. Sentry is part of one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding an A+ (Superior) Financial Strength Rating from AM Best as of June 2025. Sentry and its subsidiaries offer a wide range of insurance products, including property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities and retirement programs for businesses and individuals nationwide. For a complete list of underwriting companies, visit sentry.com.