NKU takes new steps into high-tech computerized education

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - Northern Kentucky University is celebrating another step forward into the high tech world of 21st century education with the grand opening of Griffin Hall, the new $53 million home to the university's College of Infomatics.

In a ceremony and news conference on Monday, the university dedicated Griffin Hall and announcing a new partnership between NKU, the PulsePoint Foundation and a local fire department to bring a new fire department mobile application or app to Northern Kentucky. The new app was developed by NKU students and is already in use by the San Ramon Valley Fire Department in California.

The Erlanger Fire-EMS Department plans to be the first to use the new CPR app by the end of the year. It is hoping it can work with neighboring Fire departments and EMS units to include them in the process.

The dedication of the Griffin Hall Infomatics Center was held inside the packed ballroom of the NKU Student Union, next door. Griffin Hall boasts at being on the cutting edge of both high technology communications and energy efficiency.

NKU's outgoing president, Dr. James Votruba, told the crowds celebrating Griffin Hall, "As a regional hub for infomatics innovation, Griffin Hall is a key component in our efforts to reach our region's 2015 goals, including the plan to create 50,000 new jobs. We have have trouble. The recession has had an impact that we all understand, but we now have the foundation to get there faster, as we climb out of this recession." 

Among the guest speakers for the Griffin Hall dedication: Dell CEO Michael Dell, who addressed the dedication via a video message. Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and Kentucky 4th Dist. U.S. Congressman Geoff Davis both attended the dedication ceremonies in person to offer their congratulations.

Dell Computer provided much of the computers and servers that are being used at Griffin Hall.

The dedication also featured a time-lapse video of the building process of Griffin Hall taken from the top of Nunn Hall nearby. It shows that several major snows came and went as the 5 story information technology center was being constructed.

The building contains 300,000 feet of data cable, 2,900 data drops, 9,000 feet of fiber optic cable and another 24,000 feet of coaxial cable for television. Griffin Hall also has 47 so-called 'smart spaces' which will include document cameras, Blu-Ray players, lecture capture equipment and flat panel displays.

There are 550 student-accessible computers that are both Mac and PC, with four technology-enhanced classrooms, a media control room, performance student and the Rieveschl Digitorium, a 120-seat flexible space that allows all kinds of media to be used for learning and teaching.