Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Lake Campus to build this spring

WSU branch to add facilities, considers adding degrees

By Margie Wuebker
Photo by Margie Wuebker/The Daily Standard

Minster Local Schools Superintendent Gayl Ray speaks with James Sayer, left, interim dean at Wright State University-Lake Campus, and WSU Dean David R. Hopkins during a report to the community. The Tuesday afternoon program in New Bremen drew 50 school, business and community leaders.

NEW BREMEN - These are exciting times as Wright State University-Lake Campus is looking to add more four-year programs and is getting ready to break ground on a multi-million dollar building project.
WSU President David R. Hopkins brought his annual report to Southwestern Auglaize County on Tuesday, drawing applause from nearly 50 school, community and business leaders in attendance who liked what they heard.
Hopkins indicated spring will bring groundbreaking ceremonies for a $9 million expansion and renovation project at the Lake Campus. The ambitious project, which involves the construction of a multipurpose center and the creation of state-of-the-art classrooms, is being financed by a successful capital campaign.
The campus recently participated in a needs assessment survey to determine the needs of businesses in a 16-county area. The reply from a source at Crown Equipment Corporation indicated young people are not well versed in cutting-edge technology.
The upcoming renovation project is geared toward providing such technology in a 21st century building, according to Hopkins, who became the university's sixth president earlier this year when Dr. Kim Goldenberg retired. He believes in this global knowledge economy such things as talent, creativity and innovation are important so graduates hit the ground running.
"We're working with businesses to serve real world problems," he added. "We're working with the Ohio Board of Regents and the new chancellor (Eric Fingerhut) to bring more four-year programs here to your own backyard. The Lake Campus is a shining example of what institutions of higher education want to achieve in coming years."
The four areas being considered include engineering, criminal justice, nursing/allied health professions and computer science. The campus currently offers a master's program in business administration.
The campus, located along the banks of Grand Lake, currently draws students from 23 counties with 70 percent of them coming from Mercer and Auglaize counties.
"Ohio is at a real crossroads when it comes to higher education," Hopkins said. "Wright State is already positioned to do great things in the future."
Alluding to the university's 40th anniversary observance, Hopkins pointed out Wright State was chartered in October 1967. It sprang from educational interests that brought satellite programs from Ohio State University and Miami University to the Miami Valley. Today's sprawling complex began as one building surrounded by cornfields.
The Lake Campus history dates back even further to years when educational programs were offered here in Mercer County under the auspices of Ohio Northern University. It became a chartered part of Wright State in 1969.
Locally, some 144 students received $200,000 in scholarships this year under the auspices of the Western Ohio Educational Foundation. Since its inception more than 1,000 students have received $1.5 million in scholarships.
Back in 1970, only 8 percent of people age 25 and over held college degrees in Wright State's 16-county region. That number has increased to 25 percent but a new partnership involving the state's 40 adult learning centers, 23 community colleges, 24 branch colleges and 13 public four-year colleges is expected to spark more educational attainment.
"We have to find a way to work together to bring another 230,000 students into the education pipeline," Hopkins said. "Gov. Ted Strickland has cited that as a goal."
It will take some time to overcome a "disinvestment" in education that has taken place over the course of 25 years. Hopkins estimates the partnership will need to bring in $450 million to reach Strickland's educational attainment.
Ohio currently ranks among the top 10 states in the nation in terms of tuition rates and among the bottom 10 in terms of state support. The new partnership will find ways to level this playing field, according to Hopkins.
"We need a decade of support in order to forge new territory," he added. "We're not done yet - the best is yet to come."
Additional online story on this date
It seems like all season it was Minster, New Bremen and St. Henry. No particular order. One ahead of the others at different points throughout the season. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Mercer County elections officials are scrambling to make required improvements at polling locations throughout the county before Election Day next week.
The ethanol industry in Ohio is a powerful entity that is basically writing its own permits through the Ohio EPA, according to Lori Podhorsky, the managing director of the newly formed Protectors of Air and Water Sources (PAWS).
Area voters who want to cast ballots in the 5th Congressional District special primary election Tuesday will have to request a primary ballot separate from the general election ballot.
MENDON - The village might form its own park board to guide planned development of a new park on the former Parkway school property.
Creating a park board likely would help the community focus on a proposed $4 million park development plan, officials said.
NEW BREMEN - The number one house rule parents must establish is respect, according to Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, author, public speaker and radio host, who also can add appearances with Oprah, Joan Rivers, 700 Club and CBS This Morning to his resume.
ST. MARYS - Dressing up on Halloween to mask your identity isn't always just a kid thing. Just ask some of the town's older residents.
Those who were there in 1983 say Aunt Lueezy looked amazing in the Halloween parade down Spring Street. In fact, some folks are still talking about it.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Just as on the Division I-A and I-AA level, local players are providing plenty of support for the smaller colleges in Divisions II and III.