The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) has received approval from the State Building Commission for a $98 million project to modernize the Collins Classroom Center. The building will be renamed Sentry Hall and serve as the new home for the Sentry School of Business and Economics.
“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.”
Sentry Insurance’s chairman and CEO, Pete McPartland, commented on the company’s involvement: “This is one of the most meaningful and impactful investments we’ve ever made. 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 design phase began in fall 2023 with Aro Eberle Architects, and the project was included in the 2025-2027 state budget before being approved by the Board of Regents in August 2025. Construction is scheduled to start in summer 2026.
Plans call for an additional 20,000 square feet, along with upgrades such as active learning classrooms, collaboration spaces, student centers, and improvements to mechanical systems including heating, cooling, plumbing, fire suppression, electrical systems, and a new energy-efficient facade.
The Anderson Classroom to Career Center will also move into Sentry Hall from its current location at the College of Professional Studies (CPS) Building. This center connects students with over 30 corporate partners for networking opportunities and internships. Faculty offices and administrative suites for both the Sentry School and CPS Dean will be located within Sentry Hall.
The renovated facility will include an Entrepreneurship Center supporting students who wish to start businesses; it will house resources like those provided by UWSP’s Small Business Development Center. Additional centers include those focused on data analytics, sales excellence, business insight, women’s leadership, as well as distance technology facilities connecting courses across campuses.
Enrollment at the Sentry School has grown by 51% over five years; since 2023 more than 92% of graduates have found 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.”
Gandhi added: “UW-Stevens Point continues to invest in its students by expanding our campus with new, state-of-the-art facilities. 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.”
The school offers majors such as accounting, business administration, economics, data analytics, finance, management, marketing, as well as an MBA program focused on applied leadership. The business school holds accreditation from AACSB—a distinction achieved by only a small percentage of institutions worldwide offering business degrees.
Sentry Insurance provides commercial insurance solutions nationwide across various industries. It is part of one of America’s largest mutual insurance groups with high financial strength ratings according to AM Best (as of June 2025). More information about their services can be found at sentry.com.
