The Dillard College of Business Administration at MSU Texas celebrated the naming of the Warren Ayres Family Computer Lab with a dedication ceremony October 18. The naming honors the longstanding support of the Ayres family and their generous donation that made it possible to convert a classroom into a combination classroom and computer lab.

"Thanks to the generosity of the Ayres family, both our professors and students benefit from an environment in which every student has immediate access to computers and business software programs," said Dr. Jeff Stambaugh, Dean of the Dillard College of Business Administration.

The gift from the Ayres family also equipped the lab with 50 Dell computers with monitors. With the new configuration, students will have more collaboration space in the classroom. The interconnectivity of the technology will transform the learning experience for MSU students throughout the Dillard College. At the dedication, senior economics major Luka Gebel said the enhanced lab "exemplifies the new forefront of student learning."

Warren and Pam Ayres are both graduates of and longtime donors to Midwestern State University. Warren Ayres graduated in 1971 with a degree in accounting, and Pam Ayres graduated in 1973 with a degree in elementary education. Additionally, Mr. Ayers has served the MSU community with leadership roles with the MSU Foundation and most recently as a member of the MSU Board of Regents. He is executive vice president for Eagle Oil & Gas Company.

"We so appreciate the leadership role that the Ayres family is fulfilling for MSU. Their dedication to our university is clear in their engagement and in their giving," said MSU Texas President Suzanne Shipley. "We are a more effective and vibrant university because of their influence."

The Ayres' gift is part of the MSU Texas Boundless Opportunities comprehensive campaign. With this gift, they are enhancing teaching and learning opportunities as well as enriching the student experience for today's business students.

For more information about the seven-year, $50 million campaign, contact Tony Vidmar, Vice President for University Advancement and Public Affairs, at 940-397-4782 or tony.vidmar@msutexas.edu.