Sports
Ohio University Announces New Academic Center
< < Back to ohio-university-announces-new-academic-centerOhio University announced plans Wednesday for a new “state-of-the-art” academic center that will be located behind the north end zone at Peden Stadium, as well as a fundraising campaign to finance the project.
Perry and Sandy Sook, 1980 graduates of the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, committed $2.25 million to initiate the projects funding. The Campaign for Academic Excellence was set up to help match and exceed that commitment, to reach a final goal of more than $5.5 million in funding.
“Recognizing the unique demands placed on the Division I athlete, it is absolutely critical to provide an academic facility designated exclusively to assist them in their pursuit of becoming a graduate,” Ohio athletic director Jim Schaus said in a letter written on campaignforacademicexcellence.com.
At 10,000 square feet, The Perry & Sandy Sook Academic Center will be double the size of the university’s current facility to serve Ohio student-athletes. The center will feature a classroom with a capacity of 50 students, 40 computer lab stations, 13 tutoring and study rooms and staff offices.
“A quality academic center can be a gamechanger for a student-athlete, especially one who may need specialized attention,” Schaus said.
The facility will add more space for concessions and restrooms on Ohio football game days and will also serve as a hospitality center for donors and fans.
The new academic center may also serve another destination on campus for receptions, meetings and other events.