Ribbon Cutting Honors Lombardo Hall Donors, Marks Grand Opening

A ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring donors Dr. Samuel and Dena Lombardo marked the grand opening of Millersville University's Samuel N. and Dena M. Lombardo Hall. The longtime supporters of the University made an historic $5 million gift to transform Brooks Hall, the former athletic venue for the campus, into a new home for the Lombardo College of Business. Established in 2020 thanks to another gift by the Lombardos, Lombardo is the University's first named college.

Hosted by President Dr. Daniel Wubah and First Lady Dr. Judith Wubah, the event featured remarks by President Wubah; Dr. Marc Tomljanovich, dean of the Lombardo College of Business; Michael Warfel '84, chair of the Millersville University Council of Trustees; and Samuel Lombardo.

"Within these walls, our students will develop the knowledge and confidence to become principled leaders, creative problem-solvers and responsible professionals," said President Wubah. "They will analyze difficult questions, test new ideas, work across disciplines and form relationships that may shape the rest of their lives.

"They will also learn that business at its best is about more than financial success. It is about creating opportunity, serving communities, acting with integrity and using one's talents to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others."

The ceremony was held in Innovations Court, the original location of the basketball court, which is now an open, flexible space to host events like job and career fairs and community presentations. After remarks, faculty and staff from the Lombardo College of Business conducted tours of the facility, which includes flexible classroom and instructional spaces, faculty and staff offices, conference rooms and student study areas. The building will also include a business lab, incubator space, student lounge and a Brooks Hall Museum.

Brooks Hall was constructed in 1938 and named for Edward Brooks, a math professor and principal at Millersville from 1855 until 1883. Even after the construction of Pucillo Gymnasium in 1971, the building continued to support athletic teams and intramural programs. It then sat dormant until 2017, when the decision was made to tear it down. The campus, at the time, was undergoing major revitalization projects including space optimization to better serve students.

"And then - we reconsidered," said Dr. Marc Tomljanovich, dean of the Lombardo College of Business, during his remarks at the reception. "The location is central, overlooking Brooks Field, McNairy Library, and of course, the pond. The bones are striking, including the curved windows and parquet floor, and the memories of the generations of students, staff and faculty who have spent their youth and their careers here are irreplaceable.

"So, we brought together people who shared our vision for what this space could be. Sam and Dena Lombardo understood what Brooks Hall means to our campus and the broader community; together with President Daniel Wubah, they laid out a plan to launch the Lombardo College of Business and center it within this storied structure."

Samuel Lombardo offered a few words, saying the event was "a humbling experience. I remember myself as not a very good student," he said. "I was kind of restless and experimental in everything I did. It was not until I was drafted into the military that I learned some discipline.

"I was a disrupter, a positive disruptor," said Samuel Lombardo. "I wanted to make things better in the industry I was in. Lombardo College will represent that for our students. We are going to create positive disruptors for this college and the world we live in."

Warfel concluded the remarks by thanking the Lombardos and the "more than 100 individuals who made contributions to this project. To all of you, thank you for your investment. I couldn't be more pleased. The opening of this building is a punctuation to our commitment to this county and region."