Overland Park ? Kansas University officials and boosters gathered Friday to formally open a building designed to solidify the university’s presence in the Kansas City area.

About 200 people were on hand at KU’s Edwards Campus to dedicate Regnier Hall, a $17.8 million, 82,000-square-foot building.

Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway, left, and Bob Regnier share a laugh at the conclusion of the dedication of Regnier Hall. The Friday night dedication was at the Edwards Campus in Overland Park, site of the building, which was named for Regnier's parents, Victor and Helen Regnier.

“We feel KU has a distinct responsibility to the Kansas City metropolitan area,” Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. “It’s a critically important part of providing the people of the Kansas City area a learning environment they need to meet their education and employment goals.”

The building will allow KU to expand its program offerings from 25 to about 40 and double its enrollment, which is currently about 2,400 students per semester. The campus previously consisted of only one building, the Regents Center, which is 55,000 square feet and opened in 1993.

The new building is named for Victor and Helen Regnier, whose Leawood-based foundation donated $3 million to the project. The Hall Family Foundation of Kansas City donated $5 million, and the remainder of the project was funded through bonds that will be paid for through student fees.

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Bob Regnier, son of Victor and Helen Regnier, said his parents would have been proud of the building.

“Both of our parents respect the benefits of education in society,” he said. “With this addition, I expect the continued growth (of the Edwards Campus) will continue uninterrupted.”

The project was part of the KU Endowment Association’s “KU First” capital campaign, which aims to raise more than $600 million by the end of 2004.

“This is a terrific example of the benefits of KU First,” said Forrest Hoglund, who leads the campaign.

Attendees mingle during a reception for the newly dedicated Regnier Hall at the KU Edwards Campus. The building is the second on the campus in Overland Park.