[2] In 1951, the Business Department was formed at Northern Illinois University (NIU).

Dr. Francis Geigle, as the first chair of the department, would see the Business Department outgrow the barracks, moving first to Altgeld Hall and then to McMurry Hall by the end of the decade.

[citation needed] Barsema Hall located on the Northern Illinois University Campus is the home of the NIU College of Business.

The 144,000 square foot facility combines classrooms, computer labs, a 375-seat auditorium, specialized labs, faculty and staff offices, and spaces for studying, meeting, and even eating.

The core of the building contains a large atrium space complete with a cafe.