Construction for the new Thomas School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke has been completed. 

"We are thankful to Mr. Thomas and to our legislators who believe in UNCP and its potential to transform our region and invested to make this building a reality," stated UNCP Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings. "We opened the doors for the first classes a few weeks ago at the start of the spring semester, and we can already see the additional learning opportunities and resources it allows. Our data shows 80 percent or more of our alumni stay in the area after graduating, meaning we're educating the future business leaders of our region. For decades to come, James A. Thomas Hall will be a modern learning environment second to none, and a space worthy of our world-class faculty, our exceptional staff, and most importantly, our students."

The construction for the School of Business was headed up by Metcon, a local, minority-owned construction firm located in Pembroke. 

Over the years, Metcon has done many projects for UNCP and received this opportunity after an extensive interview process, competing against other construction firms in the area.

Senior Project Manager Samantha Locklear led the Metcon team throughout the construction period. 

Locklear has been with Metcon for almost eighteen years and has been a trailblazer in the construction industry for women. With this flagship project, Locklear was the key to the operations behind the new building.

The design of the new building came to life when the chancellor and dean of the school went to other universities and visited their business schools to look at their foundations. A Raleigh architecture firm helped finalize the blueprint before construction began.

This 62,000-square-foot, two-story building contains multiple classrooms, seminar rooms, an auditorium, cafe, media rooms and a high technology stock trading room.

"UNCP is a driver for economic change and growth, and our new School of Business building, James A. Thomas Hall, will further our role and impact in southeastern North Carolina," Cummings explained.

The amount of technology invested in the building also makes this the most energy-positive building on campus. 

The total cost of the School of Business was $35 million.