Real-world learning experience has become more prevalent in academics over the last decade. Wichita State’s Barton School of Business recently announced the development of its own hands-on learning center.

The Koch Global Trading Center, named for primary donor, Koch Industries, Inc., will become a key feature of the Barton school.

“It’s a broader experience and also should be a deeper experience for students,” said Rick LeCompte, finance department chair in the Barton school.

Koch’s gift of $346,000 represents more than half of the $600,000 required to complete construction of the trading laboratory. Additionally, Koch will continue to contribute to the program’s curriculum and resources.

“We look at it as a partnership with Koch, as well as our other donors,” LeCompte said. “It should be a win-win for everybody.”

The trading center will be designed to look like a live trading room, complete with a wall-length ticker and large wall monitors. The objective is to create an environment for students to gain practical experience in trading, investment and risk management without the full weight of real world consequences.

“Koch was very determined that we would not have just a showpiece trading center,” said Elizabeth King, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation. “They helped us see a broader perspective on utilizing the trading center for all kinds of classes.”

Koch Industries will offer their business and trading expertise to develop a curriculum based around trading experience and place students on a path to a career, in addition to sending an employee to serve on the project’s advisory board.

Richard Dinkel, corporate controller for Koch Industries, said the center will give WSU students and the community a competitive advantage.

“Most businesses engage in some form of trading when they purchase raw materials,” Dinkel said. “People who understand and can apply the concepts of trading are in a much better position to manage risks and optimize their business.”

Construction of the center is projected to begin in December, with the first class being offered in June 2014.

While fundraising is the key to kick-starting the program, the focus is education.

“The goal is to get students on a transition to a career,” LeCompte said. “I think it’s a tremendous community advantage for our students to have this.”