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The W. Richard Wright Distributed-Learning Classroom, located in Leigh Hall 214, was officially dedicated on Jan. 16 as family, colleagues, friends and area legislators looked on.
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| Among those on hand for the dedication were, from left, University President Luis M. Proenza, Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula, and Thomas Kemp, manager of UA’s Distributed Education Facilities. |
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It is one of several distributed-learning classrooms in the recently renovated Leigh Hall.
These classrooms are capable of providing state-of-the-art learning opportunities to any location in the world that has a broadband Internet Protocol connection. The Wright Classroom features the latest software and hardware enhancements, including Smart Board, Netlinx classroom control hardware and software, video-stream encoding and Web capability, and a full complement of media devices.
An Open House has been scheduled on Feb. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. for faculty and staff to hightlight the features and capabilities of this building. More details on the event will be announced later.
Wright, a 1937 alumnus, served the University for 25 years, retiring in 1984 as executive assistant to the president. As UA’s chief lobbyist during that period, he secured millions of dollars and approval of numerous academic programs. Wright, who died in 1997, also was instrumental in UA’s transition from a municipal university to a state-assisted institution.
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| Stephen Brooks, associate director of UA’s Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, is seen here talking to the audience from Columbus during the Jan. 16 dedication ceremony. |
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While the room is a joint effort of the departments of Capital Planning and Facilities Management and Distributed Education Facilities, it was funded by FirstEnergy Corp. The second floor of Leigh Hall has been named the FirstEnergy Floor.
During a demonstration at the Jan. 16 dedication, the UA classroom was connected with sites around the globe. University President Luis M. Proenza spoke with Juan Mendez Nonell, director general of Centro De Investigacion En Quimica Aplicada in Saltillo, Mexico; Maya C. MacGuineas, executive director of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget from the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C.; and Stephen Brooks, associate director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics, who was in Columbus.
“It is projects like this that have helped The University of Akron achieve the rank of second in the state in synchronous distance learning, second only to The Ohio State University,” said Proenza.
“I have begun to call this initiative and others like it, our ‘New Mindscapes for Learning,’ in which we create innovative, effective models and practices for teaching and scholarship,” he added.
One of Wright’s longtime friends, Patricia L. Graves, Board of Trustees chair, noted that Wright’s “leadership helped create the growth and vitality that The University of Akron enjoys today. Dedicating this state-of-the art facility shows that we are working to sustain that momentum.
“The W. Richard Wright Distributed-Learning Classroom is a testament to what he has meant to this great University,” Graves said.
Ohio Congressman Ralph Regula, whose friendship with Wright spanned decades, praised not only his contributions to the University and the Akron area, but Wright’s enthusiastic persistence.
“I think Dick Wright literally could sell ice to the Eskimos,” Regula said with a wry smile. “Dick is a perfect example of how one person can make a difference.”
Wright’s accomplishments include being a founder and president of the Akron Roundtable, chair of the Ohio Youth Services Advisory Board, president of tshe Akron Kiwanis Club and a board member of numerous other agencies. He also was president of the Alumni Association’s National Board of Directors and a member of the Greek Alumni Board.
In recognition of his efforts, Wright received the Alumni Honor Award and an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from UA as well as a Governor’s Service Award and the national Phi Delta Theta fraternity’s Legion of Honor award. The W. Richard Wright Endowed Scholarship Fund and the W. Richard Wright Internship in the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics were established in his honor as well.
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