ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the Scripps Howard Multimedia Lab Friday, Oct. 5. The lab allows students to create projects in a facility that rivals the most modern production houses in the country. Located at 020 Scott Quadrangle, the lab is named in honor of the Scripps Howard Foundation, which donated more than $290,000 for the project.

The lab, which supports classes in the Ohio University College of Communication, features advanced technology that allows students to create digital animation, digital voice and audio projects, and interactive Web sites, CD-ROMs and DVDs seamlessly.

"The College of Communication is committed to preparing students for the future and adapting teaching principles to the latest advancements, and this lab exemplifies that," said Kathy Krendl, dean of the College of Communication.

Ohio University President Robert Glidden said, "This lab offers an opportunity for Ohio University students to work with the latest media. It is the result of the long-standing relationship between the Ohio University College of Communication and the Scripps Howard Foundation."

"I'm proud of our relationship with Ohio University," said Judy Clabes, president and chief executive officer of the Scripps Howard Foundation. "It's a strong partnership that's based on working toward the same goals."

The technology that allows instructors to focus on content production rather than software training includes the use of fire wire, which provides a high-speed connection -- especially important for digital file transfer -- and the ability to patch multimedia equipment into multiple workstations by simply repositioning one wire.

Not only is this method cost-productive, since it alleviates the need for each workstation to have its own set of multimedia equipment, but it is also easy for both faculty and students to use. Creating an environment that offers the same type of opportunities that exist in the professional world has drawn students from various disciplines together, which has the positive effect of encouraging idea-sharing, collaboration and cross-training -- all of which are needed in a communication industry where the boundaries between print, broadcast and the Web now overlap.

"An most important aspect is that this lab allows students to interact with one another and share ideas and for faculty to continue to design creative projects," Ohio University journalism student Stacy Puzo said.