New Facility to be Named in Honor of Dr. Alan Wildstein and Constructed Adjacent to the Existing and Remodeled N.A.D.A. Hotel and Conference Center.
Marking a major milestone in one of the largest projects in campus history, Northwood University, a Michigan based business school, is publicly unveiling the first rendering of a new academic facility to be named in honor of Dr. Alan Wildstein and constructed adjacent to the existing and remodeled N.A.D.A. Hotel and Conference Center.
The new academic facility will serve as a vibrant community hub and new gateway to Northwood’s growing automotive, mobility, and professional education ecosystem. The project is funded by leadership gifts from Dr. Alan Jay Wildstein, founder, president, and CEO of the Alan Jay Automotive Network, the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, and Reynolds and Reynolds, the leading provider of software, services, and forms in automotive retail. The project is also supported by Northwood alumnus Bill Cole.
Additional philanthropic commitments have been secured, and Northwood looks forward to recognizing that support as those gifts are made public.
“This is the kind of project that defines an era for a university. This state-of-the-art facility will build upon Northwood’s storied reputation as a leader in automotive business education and usher in a future featuring deepened academic offerings and exciting experiential learning opportunities through expanded motorsports and mobility programming,” stated Northwood University President Kent MacDonald. “In addition to enhancing our commitment to automotive education, this new academic facility will be a dynamic space for students, educators, and partners to come together to innovate and grow — further solidifying Northwood’s economic impact in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region and beyond.”
The new academic facility will integrate modern classrooms, collaborative learning environments, and a premier conference venue supported by and named after Reynolds and Reynolds. The conference center will accommodate up to 350 guests in a banquet-style setting, which will attract industry conferences, host the university’s signature events, and add to Northwood’s annual regional economic impact of more than $200 million. Additionally, the facility will feature second-floor suites to host guests and create unique opportunities for students to gain experience managing venues like a boutique hotel and conference center.
“This project directly advances Northwood’s mission to prepare students for leadership roles in an evolving global economy — especially in automotive, mobility, motorsports, and emerging transportation technologies,” said Enrollment and Strategic Alliances Vice President Dr. Matthew Bennett. “At the same time, we’re creating a versatile space to host conferences, community events, and programming that serve students and partners across all disciplines.”
The new academic facility’s main gallery will serve as a dynamic hub for academic and professional development. Executive conference rooms will support both smaller events and flexible classroom use. An adjacent Acta Lounge will support the conference center and gallery by offering a welcoming space for social gatherings, visiting dignitaries, and fundraising receptions.
“This is more than a building; it’s an investment in generations of free-enterprise leaders,” said Vice President of Advancement Murray Kyte. “The extraordinary support already committed to this project reflects a shared belief in Northwood’s mission and future. This new academic facility will become one of the most important physical spaces on our campus — one that supports classroom learning, experiential education, and industry collaboration under one connected footprint.”
Additional Campus Enhancements
The project represents a broader investment in the existing NADA Hotel and Conference Center and adjacent R. Gary Stauffer Academic Building, combining new construction with renovation.
The R. Gary Stauffer Academic Building will undergo a comprehensive modernization that preserves its legacy as a core academic facility while upgrading classrooms, technology, and learning environments to meet the needs of today’s students.
The long-standing Central Courtyard — previously known as Ford Courtyard — will be opened to a new mall walk and reimagined as an active outdoor hub for special events, student functions, and community gatherings. Its location adjacent to the Acta Lounge and near the main gallery will create natural social spaces that connect academic resources, breakout areas, and all-suite lodging into a cohesive student and guest experience.
New Automotive Campus Plaza Proposed
The project also proposes creating an Automotive Gateway Plaza, anchored by a new north-south mall walk that will connect to the iconic Lincoln on the Prairie sculpture. Highlights include:
• Improved walkability through new walkways that integrate the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center more effectively into campus
• A new focal point for major campus events, including the Northwood University International Auto Show, which is the largest student-led outdoor new auto show in America
• Amplification of Northwood’s institutional philosophy, The Northwood Idea, through integrated quotes and outdoor public art
Additional plaza enhancements include new outdoor lighting, landscaping, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces that highlight Northwood’s heritage in automotive and entrepreneurial leadership, while providing flexible staging areas for vehicles, demonstrations, and interactive experiences during campus events.
Honoring Alden B. Dow
The new academic facility will preserve a distinctive sunken lobby, which is a landmark feature of the NADA Hotel and Conference Center, designed in 1973 by one of Michigan’s most influential architects, Alden B. Dow. A student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Dow was a leader in the Mid-Century Modern Movement and served as the master planner and architect for Northwood University’s campus in Midland, Michigan.
“As we undertake this transformative initiative, Alden B. Dow’s legacy will be carefully preserved and celebrated,” explained Chief Development and Engagement Officer Justin Marshall. “This renovation and broader campus enhancements will be a continuation of his vision, one that respects the past while making room for the future.”
Community and Supporter Engagement
This project aligns with Northwood’s larger When We Are Free comprehensive campaign, a historic $100 million initiative dedicated to advancing faculty excellence, student scholarships, campus facilities, and academic innovation.
With the release of the new rendering, Northwood University is inviting additional investment and partnership from alumni, corporate partners, foundations, and friends who share Northwood’s commitment to free enterprise, innovation, and economic mobility. There are several premier naming opportunities for interested partners to support this new era in automotive and mobility education — and in Northwood University history. Email to learn more.
