UC Clermont Library celebrates new student collaboration rooms

UC Clermont College students have a new space in which to work together while utilizing the latest technology, thanks to generous donors.

On March 13, college faculty, staff, students and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of two new student collaboration rooms in the UC Clermont Library. The rooms feature the latest technology to enhance group work, including glass whiteboards, HDMI hookups for laptops to access LED TV screens, and Apple TV connectivity so students can wirelessly mirror content from their iPhones or iPads to the TVs. The equipment is located on the first floor of the library, replacing dusty stacks of reference materials — an extensive remodel supported by a generous donation from Batavia residents Dave and Amy Elberfeld.

“The library surveys students each year, and students desired more study spaces,” said Katie Foran-Mulcahy, former director of the UC Clermont library, adding that while there are several study rooms on the second floor of the library, “the first floor is high trafficked and accessible to students. It’s a preeminent location for students to study, all made possible because of the Elberfelds. They are passionate and enthusiastic about our students.”

The Elberfelds made the donation in honor of Amy’s father, W.G. “Spud” Elliott and his steadfast commitment to community and education. “Education was really important to my father,” said Amy. Elliott was an oral surgeon in Springfield, Ohio, who passed away in 2006. “People helped him through school, and he paid it forward by quietly donating money for scholarships to various colleges. We wanted to continue his legacy and felt that a gift to the library would serve the largest number of students at UC Clermont.”

The Elberfelds also have a strong commitment to education — Dave served as a teacher and assistant principal at Goshen High School and as an adjunct instructor at UC Clermont in the 1990s. In his retirement, he works with adolescents at the Clermont Recovery Center.

“We believe in Clermont County and in the college,” Dave said. “There’s a great leadership team here.”

UC Clermont Dean Jeff Bauer said the student collaboration rooms mark the next step toward transforming the library into a modern space for students. Thanks to the continued generosity of donors in recent years, the library has made significant student-centered improvements including new lounge furniture, reconfigured space on the first floor and additional huddle rooms for student collaboration.

“Students need to know how to work in groups and with technology to solve the problems of the 21st century,” said Bauer. “This ability will apply directly to their careers. We are thankful to the Elberfelds for their generous support of the college’s mission and our students.”