CUE's newest campus building will be officially named Braaksma Hall to honour the Braaksma family, one of CUE's largest donors and generous providers of the largest single donation in the university's history. In 2021, the Braaksma family provided CUE with a gift of more than $1.4 million.
Braaksma Hall is a new student learning facility with state-of-the-art lecture halls, labs and learning spaces that allows CUE to sustainably grow while maintaining its close-knit community environment. The $40 million building began construction in 2021 and was designed by Najfedlt Architects, overseen by general contractor Chandos Construction. The building has a total footprint of 10,000 square metres.
The grand opening and official naming of Braaksma Hall took place at Homecoming 2024: a two-day long celebration at CUE that welcomes alumni, everyone on campus, and members of the community to campus to celebrate the legacies and connections built on campus over its 103-year history.
"As we officially open this building today we are also opening opportunities for learning, discovery and growth. I am excited to see the remarkable achievements that will emerge from these walls,"
- Tim Loreman, President & Vice Chancellor of CUE
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Braaksmas for their strong support for the university as we have grown alongside their family. Without contributions like the ones they have made to CUE, our campus simply would not be what it is today,
- Chancellor Alan Huehn
Selflessness benefits the community - my husband and I follow this way of thinking. For us, participating in one's community is a natural thing to do. Each of us needs to exemplify involvement - we can't just talk about it. When I look at this beautiful building which bears our family name, I am humbled and proud. I recall the first time we visited campus, how welcome we felt and the quality of the people we interacted with. That first conversation, nearly 40 years ago, began a lifelong friendship between the university and my family.
- Nellie Braaksma
