Source: The University of Rochester Simon Business School

The Simon Business School announced today that it has received a $1 million pledge from the Sands Family Foundation and Constellation Brands to reimagine a classroom and convening space at the Simon Business School, which will be named the “Sands-Constellation Auditorium.”

“A physical environment not only can inspire collaboration but creativity, as well,” said Andrew Ainslie, dean of the Simon Business School. “The Sands Family and Constellation Brands both see the value that world-class facilities can bring to a business education, and we are excited to collaborate with them on the development of the space.”

This space is the largest classroom at the Simon School and currently houses the institution’s most important events and conferences, including the Sands Leadership Lecture Series. The series seeks to advance the science and teaching of leadership at Simon, and is supported by Richard Sands, Chairman of the Board of Constellation Brands and a member of the board of trustees at the University of Rochester.

Rob Sands, chief executive officer of Constellation Brands, a Fortune 500 company that produces beer, wine and spirits, has been with the company since 1986. He is the board chairman of the New York Wine and Culinary Center, on the board of trustees of the Rochester Regional Health System, board chairman of the Greater Rochester Chamber, on the board of trustees for Pace University and on the Thompson Health board.  

“On behalf of the Sands Family Foundation and our team at Constellation Brands, we are excited to partner with the Simon Business School on the development of a new state-of-the-art classroom space,” said Rob Sands. “We remain committed to helping develop the next generation of business leaders.” 

The school is in the early planning stages of the renovations, which is slated to be completed in the summer of 2019.

About Simon Business School
The Simon Business School is a world-class business school located on the campus of the University of Rochester. Rooted in quantitative analysis, Simon offers a distinct advantage in today’s data-driven economy. Simon offers full time and part-time MBA programs, as well as five MS programs.