Penn State Intercom......April 24, 2003
Xerox commits $100,000
for IST Innovation Centre
Penn State and Xerox Corp. announced the development of the "Xerox Innovation Centre" in the University's new School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) building, currently under construction.
The center, funded in part by a $100,000 grant from the Xerox Foundation, will feature state-of-the-art Xerox systems further enhanced by Web-based software applications that will allow students to access and print information anywhere at anytime.
Passersby on
the building's bridge-walkway over North Atherton Street will be able
to look into the center to see leading-edge information technologies on
display, being demonstrated or in use. The Innovation Centre will be used
to support instructional and research programs. 
"This highly visible space will showcase next-generation technology," said James Thomas, dean of the School of Information Sciences and Technology. "Aptly named, the Xerox Innovation Centre will add greater value to how students, faculty and staff manage the endless stream of information required to be productive in today's society."
In a ceremony on campus April 16, Anne Mulcahy, Xerox chairman and CEO, presented President Graham B. Spanier with the donation, officially launching the joint initiative.
"Through Xerox innovation, we're solving the challenges of today and defining the roadmap to the future," Mulcahy said. "By integrating our strong heritage with Penn State's commitment to scientific discovery, the Xerox Innovation Centre showcases the power of people and technology coming together to make access to information ubiquitous."
Xerox
is known worldwide for an array of innovative, people-based services,
software and products -- including color and black-and-white printers,
multifunction devices and digital copiers-designed for offices and production-printing
environments.
Penn State's primary provider of document management services and systems, Xerox has long been a corporate friend to the University.
Begun in October 2001, the School of Information Sciences and Technology building is on target to be completed in November. The three-story building includes a 150-seat cybertorium, classrooms, laboratories and an atrium, also off the 900-foot walkway. It will be home to IST and the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
The facility was designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects P.C. of New York City and Perfido Weiskopf Architects, Pittsburgh. Viñoly Architects was recently the runner-up in the competition to design a memorial and office complex at the World Trade Center site in New York City .