Photo by Deb Jacques Jane Barry, wife of Jeffery Barry, for whom the 37,000-square-foot addition to Walsh College is named, reflects on her deceased husband’s contributions to the college during his 22 years as its president.

By Terry Oparka
C & G Staff Writer

TROY — While the $10 million, 37,000-square-foot addition to Walsh College is decidedly green, that doesn’t detract from its looks.

The college unveiled the two-level Jeffery W. Barry Center at the campus on Livernois Dec. 12 before a host of dignitaries, including Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson and Troy Mayor Louise Schilling.

The addition was funded by a bond, donors and an Economic Development Initiative Grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The new facility contains a library, an auditorium, a marketing focus group room with one-way glass, classrooms and seminar rooms, and is connected to the rest of the facility by a tempered walkway.

A number of “green” building concepts were used in the construction, such as bioswales and rain gardens to filter pollutants from storm water; sensor-controlled lighting, heating and cooling systems throughout the building; a wetland garden with native plants; and recycled glass and wood from sustainably managed forests.

The addition was named for Jeffery Barry, who was elected president of the college in 1970 at the age of 30, the youngest president of a bachelor-degree granting college in the U.S. He died in July 2006.

During Barry’s presidency, the Troy campus expanded six times.

Jane Barry, Barry’s wife of 44 years, said he loved his job.

“Even after he retired after 21 years, he stayed active on the Board of Trustees. This is such a wonderful tribute. I felt he was here. It would give him such joy.”

Walsh College President Stephanie Bergeron said Barry oversaw construction of the first 10,000-square-foot facility, even helping to assemble furniture before students arrived for classes.

As part of the dedication of the facility, four youngsters — children and grandchildren of Walsh students and alumni — received Future Leaders scholarships for full tuition for their final 45 credits at Walsh College: Hannah Podsiadlik, 4, Anthony Podsiadlik, 2, Nathan McLarty, 3, Braddock Pahl, 3, and Cassidy Greene, 5.

Walsh College offers undergraduate and graduate business education programs to 4,430 students at campuses in Troy, Novi and Clinton Township.

You can reach Staff Writer Terry Oparka at toparka@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1054.