State-of-the-Art Spaces and Academic Places

State-of-the-Art Spaces and Academic Places

Located in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab is fully equipped with mobile workstations, HDTV screens, specialized computer software, and two seminar rooms.

From a brand new innovation lab and media center to upgraded research and performance spaces, the College of Arts and Sciences is expanding its academic presence across Fairfield’s campus.

By having a top-of-the-line facility and studio equipment built into our curriculum, we are marrying the best of our high quality curriculum with hands-on practice that gives us a competitive edge to not only increase our profile, but allow our curriculum to continue to evolve.

— Richard Greenwald, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Building a future for students begins with building an environment that encourages community, education, innovation, and enrichment. This past year, Fairfield University’s College of Arts and Sciences introduced several new facilities and academic spaces on campus that have not only expanded the College’s footprint, but its educational offerings as well. These state-of-the-art renovations, which include a brand-new media center and innovation lab, upgraded research facilities, and two new performance spaces, will continue providing students with a transformational education that offers them a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Media Center

After being transformed into an 18,000 square foot media center, the former Charles F. Dolan School of Business building reopened this fall as the new home of the College of Arts and Science’s expanding offerings in communications, digital journalism, and sports media. The newly renovated facility features two studio spaces (one with a brand new LED production lighting system, lighting control booth, and production control booth, and another that will serve as a podcast and webinar room with a state-of-the-art lighting system), a film coloring and editing room, a video production and screening room, computers and equipment for animation and graphic design, six faculty offices, and an equipment storage area where students can sign out camera and audio gear.

According to College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD, having a dedicated media center for students to practice what they learn in the classroom will elevate the credibility the College has earned for its nationally ranked communication and media programs. “The College as a whole has a strong reputation in these media programs, and our alumni do exceptionally well in starting salary and job opportunities,” he said. “Now, by having a top-of-the-line facility and studio equipment built into our curriculum, we are marrying the best of our high quality curriculum with hands-on practice that gives us a competitive edge to not only increase our profile, but allow our curriculum to continue to evolve.”

Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab

Established through the generosity of Fairfield alumni Scott and Susan Fredrickson ’82, the Fredrickson Family Innovation Lab stands as a symbolic center for the College of Arts and Sciences, bridging its wide breadth of departments and academic programs. Its purpose is to provide students and faculty with a physical and digital gathering space for interdisciplinary research, instruction, and cross-pollination.

Located in the DiMenna-Nyselius Library and fully equipped with mobile workstations, HDTV screens, specialized computer software, and two sizable seminar rooms, the high-tech facility offers ample space for hosting interdisciplinary workshops and classes, highlighting faculty and student digital research, and facilitating the exploration of digital solutions to global issues – whether qualitative, quantitative, scientific, creative, or at the intersection of diverse fields.

Rudolph F. Bannow Science Center

From the construction of eight new research and teaching labs to the installation of several advanced research instruments, the College of Arts and Sciences has implemented an array of high-tech upgrades that have transformed the Rudolph F. Bannow Science Center into a cutting-edge learning environment.

In addition to several new faculty offices, the building’s renovations include new anatomy and physiology teaching labs, a virtual dissection and marine biology lab, and a variety of technological advancements. These include upgraded air handling systems and vision panels that offer a more expansive view into the rooms, as well as new lab bench areas and cabinet storage. Also housed in the science center is an impressive array of advanced research instruments, including a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, a 400-MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, an Anatomage virtual dissection table, and most recently, an automated research microscope.

“These recent equipment purchases and lab upgrades have put us ahead of many of our peer competitor institutions in terms of research capability,” said Glenn Sauer, PhD, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Scientists from other schools are now coming to Fairfield to collaborate with our faculty, and our students are conducting research with the same technology used in industrial labs.”

Performance Spaces

This summer, the Office of the Provost proudly announced that the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts would be moving into the College of Arts and Sciences under the guidance and leadership of Dean Richard Greenwald, PhD. Designed to advance the University’s mission of expanding human knowledge and deepening human understanding through scholarly research and artistic production, this new collaboration will create an enhanced platform for student and faculty engagement that inspires intellectual curiosity, broadens perspectives, and transforms the way we see the world and interact with one another.

As part of the College and Quick Center’s ongoing partnership, the performing art center’s Wien Experimental Theatre has also been designated as the new performance home for Theatre Fairfield, the University’s resident theatre company. The 40’ by 40’ Black Box theatre provides the flexibility needed to customize the space for a wide variety of theatrical performances. It also sports a newly installed audio system, professional lighting, and projection capabilities.

In addition to the Quick, theatre majors were treated to yet another facility upgrade this fall – a brand new, interactive teaching and rehearsal space located in the center of campus in Canisius Hall. Designed in collaboration with Fairfield University architect Curt Krushinsky, the original lecture hall was converted into an adaptable, interactive laboratory that will be utilized by Theatre Fairfield as both a classroom and rehearsal studio. The spacious, one-level room has been outfitted with two video projectors and screens, a washable rubber floor that supports movement and dance, tables and chairs built on casters for easy mobility, and a utility sink for cleaning paint brushes, costumes, and other items used in design and tech classes.

“We trust that this will be a great rehearsal studio for our productions,” said Visual and Performing Arts Professor Martha LoMonaco, PhD, “and we’re already enjoying the possibilities afforded by the new space.”

Tags:  College of Arts & Sciences

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