OHIO’s new CoLab in Alden Library officially opens, creating a space for collaboration and innovation
Ohio University’s new CoLab, a space designed as a physical hub for student innovation and entrepreneurship activities across campus, officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 18 on the third floor of Alden Library.
“CoLab is designed to foster creativity and advance collaboration across campus,” said President M. Duane Nellis. “I imagine the concept as a hub and spoke, with this advanced space acting as the center of activity to make a linkage with many other spaces and resources on campus and offering students an entrée for cross collaboration on projects and innovation.”
Approved by the Ohio University Board of Trustees in January 2017, CoLab was first introduced as the C-Suite and later named CoLab through a University wide contest. The space was initially conceptualized four years ago by students in the Center for Entrepreneurship. The project gained momentum over the past several years, and thanks to the generous donation of Board of Trustees member and Russ College of Engineering alumnus David Pidwell, his spouse, Tina, and alumni Winston and Tricia Breeden, students were able to make the space a reality to help advance OHIO’s core academic mission.
“We are here today to celebrate the opening of this wonderful new incubator for student entrepreneurship,” said Pidwell. “What we have before us far exceeds the earliest concept. It’s a gateway, a place where students can reach out to the business community and a place where the business community can engage with the University. And, it’s here, thanks to the entrepreneurial students doing what they do best: innovation.”
The area will serve as a center to unite students from all backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to be collaborative and innovative.