Enrollment and technology booms have historically defined where business students learn at the University of Iowa. As the college embarks on an expansion, it’s clear to see why—we are booming.

1858-1965: JESSUP HALL

From the time the first business class was offered in 1858 to the tumultuous 1960s, the college, university, and world underwent massive change.
 

ENROLLMENT BOOM: 1940s
In its first century, business enrollment grew modestly, reaching about 600. Notably, the GI Bill following World War II led to a massive influx of veterans enrolling in college in the 1940s. Some veterans even had to live in trailers, barracks, or Quonset huts because the dorms couldn’t meet demand.
 

TECHNOLOGY BOOM: FROM HORSES TO HORSEPOWER
When classes began, horse and oxen-driven wagons rattled along dirt roads. By the last years that business was taught in Jessup Hall, students could drive there in a Corvette.

1966-1992: PHILLIPS HALL

Named after Chester A. Phillips, the inaugural business dean, Phillips Hall was the first building dedicated for use by the college.

ENROLLMENT BOOM: 1960s
The university and business college continued expanding, driven by a national trend of rising college enrollment. The 1969 Hawkeye yearbook reported that the college was growing faster than any other unit on campus. By the early 1990s, the college had 1,600 students.
 

TECHNOLOGY BOOM: COMPUTERS
The façade of Phillips Hall was designed to mimic the look of a punch card, which was a method of storing data and instructions for early computers.
 

1993-2025: PAPPAJOHN BUSINESS BUILDING

Named after Iowa entrepreneur and business alum John Pappajohn (BSC52), this building created an iconic
presence next to the Pentacrest.

ENROLLMENT BOOM: 1995 ON
With the opening of PBB, the college was able to expand enrollment—and wow, did it ever. From 1993 to 2025, the college roughly tripled the number of students—from 1,600 to 4,700.
 

TECHNOLOGY BOOM: THE INTERNET
This building saw students through the dawn of the internet, computer labs, smart phones, and cloud computing.
 

TODAY: TIPPIE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS CAMPUS EXPANSION

The expansion will include a two-story glass atrium, premier event space, interactive classrooms, a business green, and fully reimagined spaces inside historic Gilmore Hall.
 

ENROLLMENT BOOM: 2025
Last fall, the college welcomed its largest class ever. Sidewalks and hallways are noticeably jam-packed, parking spots are scarce, and traffic is slow downtown, especially during common passing times. 
 

TECHNOLOGY BOOM: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AI and other emerging technologies will be incorporated into classrooms and curricula on the new business campus, emphasizing student proficiency as well as ethics.

Fundraising Update

We're at 80% of our goal!

As of February 2026, the college has raised roughly $48 million towards the $60 million necessary for the business campus expansion. Stay tuned for groundbreaking event details, expected to take place in Fall 2026. 

This article appeared in the Spring 2026 edition of Tippie Magazine.