New Acklie classroom wing at Law College improves space, technology

A new addition to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Law has been completed that includes two new large classrooms with state-of-the-art multimedia capabilities that enhance student learning.

The addition will be named for Duane Acklie, an alumnus and longtime UNL supporter, pending Board of Regents approval. This addition is part of a two-phase project to include the addition and renovation of the Law College auditorium in McCollum Hall.

The 6,050-square-foot addition houses two classrooms, seating 85 students each, and was completed late in the fall. The classroom addition project addresses deficiencies in the 5,000-square-foot 400-seat lecture hall in the law college, which previously was sub-dividable into three wedge-shaped classrooms that seated about 100 students each. That multipurpose design limited the functionality of all the rooms, including the auditorium itself, which was too large for most functions.

The new wing, for which Acklie provided the lead financial gift, presents an attractive curved wall to the west with interesting brickwork. The naming of the new Duane W. Acklie Classroom Wing will be considered for approval by the regents at their Jan. 23 meeting, and a grand opening celebration is planned for the spring. The auditorium renovation will begin early this summer and be complete by December.

Law College dean Steven Willborn said the Law College community is extremely pleased with the new wing, and expressed gratitude.

"Duane is one of our most notable graduates," Willborn said. "He's been tremendously generous to the college with his time and valuable advice, as well as this type of support. He and Phyllis have also been very supportive of the rest of the university. I'm so pleased we will be able to have this permanent reminder of Duane's accomplished career and generosity to the university."