Watch Us Grow

$75 million invested in facilities since 2017

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Our donors have a tremendous impact on the quality of our programs, teaching and facilities. The campus has a history of community and alumni support, which has been a great factor in its growth and development.

2023

Founders Hall/Louella Hodges Reese Hall

The oldest and largest building on The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) shared campus will undergo a complete renovation, renewing the structure’s lifespan and allowing both institutions to meet the needs of students throughout the 21st century.

The $23 million project will transform Founders Hall, a 90,200-square-foot building constructed in 1968, into a modern, welcoming facility emphasizing openness and natural light. With an increased focus on high-quality teaching, learning and co-curricular environments, the renovated facility will become an inviting location for study and engagement, offering a multitude of exciting future possibilities.

Upon completion of the renovation anticipated in the summer of 2024, Founders Hall will be renamed Louella Hodges Reese Hall in grateful acknowledgment of Lou Reese’s exceptional and enduring support of the Newark campus and higher education. Whether through scholarships, capital improvements or programming, Lou Reese’s deep commitment to improving the campus and community has never wavered and is a model for all. 

2021

The John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology

Exterior view of south side of Alford Center

Construction of the new academic building dedicated to science and technology on the shared campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College has been completed.

The $32 million John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology, a three-story, 60,000-square-foot facility, is the 11th building on the shared 200-acre campus. The structure adds classrooms, science and research labs, student study space and faculty offices. Faculty moved into their offices in early June and the two institutions began holding classes in the new building at the start of autumn semester 2021.

The Advancement Office hosted a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 13.

Dignitaries lined up in front of ribbon with scissors preparing to cut

Pataskala Campus Renovation Update

Rendering of future renovated Pataskala campus building

The Pataskala campus at 8660 E. Broad St. has re-opened for classes for autumn semester 2021. The Advancement Office hosted a public ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, August 27 at 9 a.m.

The college is already planning additional programs students can complete at the campus. With the developing presence of nearby large-scale operations, including Amazon, Facebook and Google, the COTC Pataskala campus is ideally situated to support this growing technology and industry corridor.

Additionally, six of the top eight fastest-growing public school districts in central Ohio are located within 17 miles of the campus. Through a partnership with Reynoldsburg’s eSTEM Academy, students can complete COTC’s College Credit Plus computer information technology pathway at the campus, allowing them to earn an associate degree while still in high school.

Picture of one of the Pataskala Campus medical classrooms

2020

COTC Pataskala Campus Renovation Scheduled

Central Ohio Technical College’s (COTC) Pataskala campus at 8660 E. Broad St. will undergo a $4.2 million renovation next year enabling the two-year college to expand academic offerings in the high-demand fields of nursing and information technology, among possible others. The renovated facility’s increased capacity will allow more students convenient access to COTC’s affordable associate degrees and certificates and help local employers fill demand for skilled workers. The college’s exceptional combination of small class sizes, faculty mentoring, required internships and rigorous academics has proven to give its graduates the competitive edge in job searches. COTC graduates find tremendous employment success with 92% of graduates employed in their field of study within six months of graduation.

The renovation, scheduled to begin in May 2020 after the completion of the spring 2020 semester, will utilize $3.2 million in state funding and $1 million of COTC reserve funds. During the renovation, COTC will relocate all classes and operations held at the Pataskala campus to its Pataskala Campus Annex (PCA) in the Pataskala City Administration building, 621 W. Broad St.

“The renovation of COTC’s Pataskala campus will be a key economic driver for central Ohio and a tremendous benefit to students wanting affordable technical education leading quickly to in-demand jobs,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner. “I want to especially thank State Senator Jay Hottinger and State Representative Rick Carfagna, who both understood the critical importance of this project to central Ohio’s citizens and were supportive since its inception.”

Phase I of the project will include a complete renovation of 16,000 square feet of the building’s interior, creating a new nursing and allied health skills lab, science and computer labs, classroom and academic support spaces, and the installation of new heating, ventilation, air conditioning and fire suppression systems. COTC tentatively anticipates resuming operations in the renovated facility during the summer of 2021.

The college is also exploring securing additional funding to support proposed Phases 2 and 3 of the project which would include the reconfiguration of existing offices, creation of a new front entrance, and completion of a 5,800 square foot addition to the existing structure. For information about investing in this exciting project and associated naming opportunities, contact Kim Manno, COTC director of advancement, at manno.18@mail.cotc.edu or 740.366.9135.

“COTC changes lives for the better,” said COTC President John M. Berry, PhD. “This renovation will provide countless more opportunities for COTC to help empower students to overcome challenges and create their own brilliant futures. Together we will make an impact that resonates far beyond this campus.”

2019

Construction Begins on Future Center for Science and Technology

Aerial rendering of the new campus

Construction is underway for the next addition to the shared campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. The John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology will address the critical need for laboratory, research and technology space at the campus.

Success and growth at Ohio State Newark and COTC have pushed the Newark campus to near capacity. Once completed, the three-story, 60,0000 square-foot Alford Center will allow COTC and Ohio State Newark to expand academic programming, increase enrollment, enhance student success and better meet local workforce needs. COTC and Ohio State Newark have together committed $17.6 million toward the project and have already secured support for more than an additional $9.5 million in private funds. This facility will pay tribute to John and Mary Alford’s incredible legacy of community involvement and support.

John and Mary Alford were unwavering supporters of COTC and Ohio State Newark for several decades. Through their early involvement and the continued involvement of their children, they have helped shape the college and university’s co-located, cost-shared partnership as a model for other institutions of higher education around the country. In recognition of their parents’ tremendous support of the local community and specifically the Newark campus, Ronald Alford and Barbara Cantlin, along with Barbara’s husband, Michael, will be contributing a generous lead gift of $2.5 million.

The leadership of Ohio State Newark and COTC are proud to honor Mr. and Mrs. Alford’s extraordinary legacy of community involvement and support by naming this new facility The John and Mary Alford Center for Science and Technology.

A public capital campaign will raise the final $4.9 million.

Alford Center Campaign Information​.
Give now​.

Watch the campaign video.

Watch Us Grow

2017

Jane C. and William T. McConnell Residence Hall Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Faculty members, students, donors and community members gathered to celebrate McConnell Hall’s public dedication on August 25. The $13.9 million project was funded by Ohio State, but to provide for additional building enhancements, student-centered programming and future needs of the building, Ohio State sought several philanthropic gifts to name featured spaces in the building.

Thank you to donors who generously contributed to these named spaces in McConnell Hall:The Dr. Donald G. and Patsy P. Jones Event Center, the Lindorf Family Foundation Outdoor Patio and Plaza, the Reese-Wallace Grand Lounge, the Lowell S. and Barbara G. Anstine Study Lounge, the David A. and Carole B. Brooks Study Lounge, the Bill and Janet Englefield Study Lounge, and the Geraldine Marston Study Lounge.

Additional philanthropic support was provided by the following donors: Brenda Kutan, Terry and Beverly Myers, Jerry and June Nethers, H. David Schuman, and Donald and Thekla Shackelford. Read more here.

Picture of McConnell Hall

Picture of the ribbon cutting at Mcconnell Hall

Ribbon being cut at McConnell Hall

Picture inside one of the dorms at McConnell Hall

An event at the Dr. Donald and Patsy P. Jones Event Center

A Group at the Dr. Donald G. and Patsy P. Jones Event Center

A Group posing outside McConnell Hall

Adena Recreation Center Opens

The new Adena Recreation Center opened its doors on Jan. 9, and a grand opening ceremony was held on Jan. 26. Renovation started on the 10,000 square feet of former maintenance and grounds workshops in the spring of 2016. The state-of-the-art recreation and fitness facility is free to students, faculty and staff and is open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday.

The $3.7 million Adena Hall renovation project was funded by The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College through state funds. The project also included upgrading the lobby, renovating the corridor leading to the south section of the building and upgrading the fire alarm system. The Newark Campus Development Fund contributed $150,000 to replace the bleachers in the gymnasium and $120,000 of private funding was used for new fitness equipment.

The recreation and fitness facility can accommodate about 100 people at any given time. The cardiovascular area has six treadmills, six elliptical machines, three upright bikes, two recumbent bikes, a stairmill and an arm cycle. There are also areas containing free weights, functional trainers and selectorized machines.

A multipurpose room in the facility contains several spin bikes with a display monitor connected to WELLBEATS, a virtual fitness class system. Individuals can reserve the room for a spin class, and use the WELLBEATS player to select a virtual instructor to lead the group through a class.

Adena Hall was built in 1978. It was the third building constructed on campus.

A Ribbon cutting inside Adena Hall

The gym in Adena Hall

The weight room in Adena Hall

Cardio exercise machines in Adena hall

2016

Record Amount of Scholarship Dollars Available

Approximately $1.25 million in scholarships is available to students at Central Ohio Technical College (COTC) and The Ohio State University at Newark. COTC President Bonnie L. Coe, Ph.D., and Ohio State Newark Dean/Director William L. MacDonald, Ph.D., announced reaching the new milestone during the annual scholarship breakfast Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016.

“Because of the generous support from our donors and the investment that has been made in our Next Generation Challenge Scholarships, COTC is experiencing rapid growth in our scholarship program,” said Coe. “And our students are reaping the benefits.”

Inside the scholarship breakfast

The breakfast was held in the Melissa Warner Bow Grand Hall in the John Gilbert Reese Center. It gives scholarship recipients the opportunity to meet their donors and thank the people whose generosity has changed their lives. Scholarship recipients from COTC and Ohio State Newark spoke at the event to tell their inspirational stories. 

“I never thought I’d be a single mother, but here I am,” said Erika Stout, a nursing technology major at COTC. She is the first recipient of The Mike Johnson McDonald’s Scholarship through the Licking County Foundation and also received The LeFevre Foundation Scholarship through the Newark Campus Development Fund. “Last summer my daughter was rushed to the hospital after an accident, and I found comfort in the nurses who took care of her and of me. That is when I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I go to school full time, and I work two jobs. These scholarships help me to be able to go to school and take care of my daughter. The most important job I have is raising her.”

The average scholarship award given to students at both COTC and Ohio State Newark is $2,000. The number of students at COTC who received scholarships this academic year was 386.

New Residence Hall Construction Begins

Construction has begun on a new 40,000 square foot residence hall that will include a first floor student lounge, a kitchen, a laundry area, a 300-person event space, offices and a residence director apartment. The second through fourth floors have 21 rooms on each floor with one room for a resident assistant, a floor lounge, a small lounge, two small seating areas and two sets of restrooms.

Rendering of the new residence hall

“The new residence hall will make it where we have 310 beds for students to live on campus,” said Ohio State Newark Dean/Director William L. MacDonald. “We currently have a waiting list for our residence halls. This will alleviate some of those issues and continue the growth of the campus experience at Ohio State Newark.”

Construction of the project is expected to be completed in July 2017, just in time for the start of autumn semester 2017.

The development of this new building is aligned with the Newark Campus Framework Plan.

The campus is seeking a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The architect of record is DesignGroup of Columbus, and the construction manager is Whiting-Turner also of Columbus.

Watch our live stream of the building progress.

Adena Hall Renovation Underway

Picture of the renovation of Adena Hall

The walls have been torn down in what used to be the lobby of Adena Hall on the shared campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. The construction project will renovate about 10,000 square feet of former maintenance and grounds workshops into a state-of-the-art recreation and fitness facility.

“When this is complete, it is going to be a huge surprise to students who used the old workout facilities in Adena Hall,” said Ohio State Newark and COTC Facilities Superintendent Brian Boehmer. “It’s going to be an enormous improvement.” The gym and fitness center are free to students, faculty and staff.

The $3.7 million project is being funded by both institutions through state funds. The project includes upgrading the lobby, renovating the corridor leading to the south section of the building and upgrading the fire alarm system. The Newark Campus Development Fund is contributing $150,000 to replace the bleachers in the gymnasium and $120,000 in private funding will be used for new fitness equipment.

Adena Hall was built in 1978. It was the third building constructed on campus. It housed the gym, workout facility, classrooms and faculty offices. “Once the renovation is complete, there will still be about eight classrooms located in Adena, along with 15 faculty and staff offices,” said Boehmer. The entire project should be finished by January, 2017.

Rendering of the new Adena Hall

Campus grows with new Facilities Operations Building

The construction has finished on the new shared campus Facilities Operations Building. Having outgrown its present home in Adena Hall, The Department of Facilities Planning and Operations moved in during December 2015 and January 2016.

Pictured at left is Director of Development Matt Kelly at the campus open house held on May 4, 2016.  Campus faculty and staff, as well as board members and community partners involved in the building project, were welcomed and given the opportunity to tour the facility.

Picture of a building on the COTC campus

Three people mingling at the open house

A woman speaking at the open house

Picture of a meeting room at the open house

People attending the open house

More people attending the open house

Three people posing at the open house

Three men talking at the open house

2015

Facilities Building Update

A building under construction

Another photo of a building under construction

A man on a sky lift working on a building

A picture of the interior of the building under construction

Another picture of the interior of the building under construction

Construction workers inside the building

 

Two constructions workers talking outside the building

Facilities Building Groundbreaking

Preparing for the Future, Accommodating Campus Growth

With great excitement and confidence in a growing Newark campus, administrators and dignitaries gathered on February 24, 2015, for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building on the site located south of LeFevre Hall. The structure would be approximately 15,000 square feet and house all of the building maintenance and grounds operations.

 Having outgrown its present home in Adena Hall, The Department of Facilities Planning and Operations plans to move in as scheduled in December 2015. The development of this new building is aligned with the Newark Campus Framework Plan.

With the relocation of maintenance operations to a larger facility, vacated space in Adena Hall will be expanded to allow for increased recreation facilities, fitness and wellness programs, and other anticipated campus needs.

With this opportunity, the shared campus will be prepared to service a growing number of students residing on campus – a result of the future expansion of on-campus housing.

Read more: Newark Campus Framework Plan and the groundbreaking ceremony.

People breaking ground on a new building

More people breaking ground on the new building

Man talking at the groundbreaking ceremony

People in attendance at the groundbreaking ceremony

Man speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony

People at the groundbreaking ceremony

A speaker at the groundbreaking ceremony

A woman speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony

Some dessert at the groundbreaking ceremony

People listening to the speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony