Building on the UW-Madison tradition of excellence in academics and research, the Fluno Center serves as the gateway to the university. The center connects the university's vast resources to the professional community.

Every year, thousands of professionals from industry, government and nonprofit organizations participate in continuing education programs taught by the university's diverse, world-class faculty.

The Fluno Center creates a total-immersion learning environment for individuals, professional groups and corporate teams to learn, exchange ideas and explore.

Away from everyday distractions, the focus is on learning. Participants have the opportunity to experience top-quality education, network with peers and hold business meetings all in the same facility.

Designed exclusively as an educational learning facility, the Fluno Center provides the ideal location for UW-Madison public enrollment programs and custom programs including company and industry-specific symposiums, seminars and conferences.

The $24 million, eight-floor Fluno Center combines state-of-the-art technology with the ambiance of a comfortable, relaxed residential setting. The center includes an auditorium, classrooms, meeting and conference space, overnight guest rooms, dining, fitness room and study pub. The interior captures the simplicity and elegance of the Arts and Crafts era, featuring quality craftsmanship, prairie style furnishings and original lithographs of designs by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The Fluno Center is named in honor of Jere and Anne Fluno of Lake Forest, Illinois, who generously made a gift of $3 million toward the center's construction. Mr. Fluno, a 1963 graduate of the business school, is Retired Vice Chairman and Director of W.W. Grainger, Inc. The center is owned and operated by the Center for Advanced Studies in Business, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that supports the activities of the business school.

Other major gifts for the building have been given by

• Joanne Howard, BBA '62, MBA '63, managing director with Dresdner RCM Global Investors, and Roy Howard, BBA '64, retired health care executive, who gave $750,000 for the first floor auditorium.

• Irwin F. Smith, BS 62, MBA 64, founding partner of Columbus Circle Investors, Stamford, who gave $750,000 for a top floor banquet and reception room

• The Eugenie Mayer Bolz Family Foundation by John Bolz, BS Letters and Science 50 and Robert Bolz, BS Engineering 44, of Madison, who made a $350,000 commitment to the center for an executive classroom

• William Trukenbrod, BBA 61, Executive Vice President, The Northern Trust Company, Chicago, who gave $300,000 for an executive classroom in memory of his father, W. Karl Trukenbrod, and his grandfather, George C. Sellery

• MGIC

• Ford Motor Company