BATON ROUGE – LSU E. J. Ourso College of Business Dean Eli Jones announced today that Steve Forbes, president and chief executive officer of Forbes Inc., will make appearances at two special upcoming events. In addition to speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Business Education Complex, Forbes will also be the keynote speaker for the college’s 2012 Hall of Distinction Banquet & Donor Recognition Ceremony. Both events will be held Friday, March 2, 2012.

“We are thrilled that Steve will be joining us for the entire day,” Jones said. “Obviously, the name ‘Forbes’ is synonymous with business around the world, and it is a true testament to the E. J. Ourso College and LSU that he has agreed to be a part of what will truly be a momentous day in the history of our college.”

Ground was broken for the BEC on March 19, 2010. The state-of-the-art facility actually boasts four buildings, totaling 156,000 square feet of space, and is located next to the E. J. Ourso College of Business’ current home, Patrick F. Taylor Hall.

“This is a long-time dream that is being realized,” Jones said of the BEC’s construction. “To think that the Lemoine Company will all but have this work completed in less than two years is extraordinary. Having Steve Forbes on-hand to help us christen the Business Education Complex and also to help us induct our latest hall of distinction class will only enhance these celebrations.”

According to Jones, Forbes will also attend a breakfast March 2, with LSU Chancellor Michael Martin and approximately 25 invited guests. Forbes will also join Jones and the members of the Dean’s Advisory Council Louisiana Business Building Oversight Committee for lunch.

For more information about the Business Education Complex, visit www.bus.lsu.edu/building.

To learn about past inductees of the E. J. Ourso College of Business Hall of Distinction, visit www.bus.lsu.edu/alumni/hod.

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