The newly refurbished auditorium in the Western Carolina University College of Business now also has a new name: the Wells Fargo Business Center. The name is in recognition of $150,000 in gifts from the financial services company.

In addition to helping equip and furnish the renovated center, the funds will offer scholarship assistance to students in the College of Business and financial support for faculty development efforts within the college.

“Our College of Business faculty members are extraordinary teachers who bring real-world experience and perspectives to the classroom. Funds made possible through this gift will enable College of Business faculty to attend conferences as acclaimed presenters and active participants in exploring and developing the latest concepts of business management practice that they will bring back to WCU for the benefit of our students,” Chancellor David Belcher said.

In recent years, Wachovia/Wells Fargo has provided support for the Professional Sales Center in the College of Business, graduate research symposia, programming in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center and celebration of the College of Education and Allied Professions’ receipt of the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teacher Education Award.

The Wells Fargo Business Center is located in a 240-seat auditorium that has been reconfigured into a multiuse facility suitable for meetings, conferences or classrooms. The space can now accommodate up to 120 people seated around tables, or up to 240 people seated theater-style.