OHIO’s new CoLab in Alden Library officially opens, creating a space for collaboration and innovation

Photographer: Stephen Zenner/Ohio University Libraries(L to R) Executive Vice President and Provost Chaden Djalali, President M. Duane Nellis, National Trustee David Pidwell and Board of Trustees Chair David Scholl participate in the ribbon cutting of OHIO's new CoLab.

Ohio University’s new CoLab, a space designed as a physical hub for student innovation and entrepreneurship activities across campus, officially opened during a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 18 on the third floor of Alden Library.

“CoLab is designed to foster creativity and advance collaboration across campus,” said President M. Duane Nellis. “I imagine the concept as a hub and spoke, with this advanced space acting as the center of activity to make a linkage with many other spaces and resources on campus and offering students an entrée for cross collaboration on projects and innovation.”

Approved by the Ohio University Board of Trustees in January 2017, CoLab was first introduced as the C-Suite and later named CoLab through a University wide contest. The space was initially conceptualized four years ago by students in the Center for Entrepreneurship. The project gained momentum over the past several years, and thanks to the generous donation of Board of Trustees member and Russ College of Engineering alumnus David Pidwell, his spouse, Tina, and alumni Winston and Tricia Breeden, students were able to make the space a reality to help advance OHIO’s core academic mission.

“We are here today to celebrate the opening of this wonderful new incubator for student entrepreneurship,” said Pidwell. “What we have before us far exceeds the earliest concept. It’s a gateway, a place where students can reach out to the business community and a place where the business community can engage with the University. And, it’s here, thanks to the entrepreneurial students doing what they do best: innovation.”

The area will serve as a center to unite students from all backgrounds, giving them the opportunity to be collaborative and innovative.

“The establishment of CoLab perfectly illustrates how we – Ohio University students, faculty, staff and alumni – can collectively contribute time, talent and treasure to the creation of new opportunities and avenues of discovery for the Bobcats of today and tomorrow,” said Nico Karagosian, vice president of University Advancement and president and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. “My colleagues and I look forward to seeing and sharing the stories of achievement that result from this new facility dedicated to student innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.”

The CoLab will allow students, faculty and staff, alumni and others to engage in a collaborative learning environment from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays.

CoLab, a collaborative effort between OHIO students, the Office of the President, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, University Libraries, the Center for Entrepreneurship, the College of Business, the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the Scripps College of Communication, the Office of Instructional Innovation, the Research Division, and the Stanford University Epicenter Innovation Fellows, is housed on the third floor of Alden Library within the heart of OHIO’s Athens Campus.

Photographer: Benjamin Wirtz Siegel/Ohio UniversityOhio University students utilize the new CoLab space in Alden Library.