Explore the Art of the Possible with theHub
by Stephanie (Coartney) Dulaney '10
If you can imagine it, then you can achieve it with the help of theHub, McKendree’s
newest learning facility that blends the latest in technology with a one-of-a-kind
think tank style idea lab. From virtual reality to 3-D printing, theHub offers students,
faculty, and staff the chance to collaborate with those in different fields and majors
to accomplish meaningful projects with the help of exciting, high-tech mediums. At
McKendree, you bring the vision; we bring the opportunities. Discover the endless
possibilities that await you at theHub!
How It All Started
It first began as a way to transform under-utilized spaces on campus. Students in
the Management Information Systems class set out to improve campus facility usage
in one location and enhance student learning at the same time. By creating 3-D designs
of their idea, formulating budgets to estimate costs, and surveying the campus community
for feedback, the students saw their hard work pay off when university administrators
jumped on board with their proposal to bring the Active Learning Center (ALC) to life.
With such a successful student-led initiative, the McKendree IT Department set out
to replicate the process at the heart of campus in the lower level of Pearson’s Hall.
The team of IT staff, faculty, and students envisioned this central hub of the university
as not only a collaborative space, but also a potential technology powerhouse. As
a result, theHub opened in April 2018, providing the entire campus community with
the space and tools to transform innovative thinking into reality.
Tools That Make the Impossible Possible
What’s the best way to explore the possibilities in your field of interest? Seek out
new perspectives different from your own. Whether your goal is to become an educator,
software developer, biologist, or business manager, working together with people from
different fields and skill sets creates the opportunity to apply your talents in ways
you never imagined.
At theHub, examples of this kind of learning abound. Computing students and education
students may come together to develop new virtual learning programs that change the
way teachers conduct remote classes. Art students and business students might combine
their skills to create animated media that transforms a company’s marketing strategy.
One critical component of all industries today is the use of technology. Consequently,
theHub blends this theme of collaboration with several of the latest tech tools, such
as drone building, virtual reality, and 3-D printing and modeling.
“theHub gives students the opportunity to learn how to best use the technology within
their discipline while simultaneously opening the door for them to discover new ways
they can implement it in their daily lives,” Kriss said.
“We view this space as a ‘living space’ that will flex and change as technology shifts.
These pivoting capabilities will allow students to have exposure to the most cutting-edge
tech at the time, in order to further their marketability beyond the classroom.”
The prevalence of portable devices like laptops, tablets, and smart phones means technology
is always at our fingertips, and stationary computers are becoming increasingly outdated.
As a result, theHub’s digital capabilities enable students to cast their personal
device to any monitor or projector. The facility’s 24/7 access and seating capacity
of 50 includes three conference spaces separated by glass walls, complete with a fogging
feature that creates more privacy or displays a projection when needed.
The Range
Within theHub, an area known as the Range occupies the large curved space overlooking
the Quad. This home of McKendree’s 117th Regiment Cyber Defense Team gives student competitors a practice area with their
own network of servers to simulate an actual competition setting.
The Makerspace
This component of theHub features many of the center’s application tools, including
a 3-D printer and the technology for work in virtual reality, 3-D modeling, and drone
design.
Vangampler Room
A large meeting room, group study area, or classroom, the Vangampler Room can serve
many functions with its top-to-bottom whiteboard wall and digital presentation technology.
The space was made possible through the donation of Glen and Loretta Vangampler and
named in memory of their son and computer science alum, Glen Arthur “Artie” Vangampler ’89.
Future of theHub
With such an original facility, it’s no surprise there are already countless plans
for utilizing theHub to enhance students’ McKendree experience. One such use is the
Cyber Academy, an exciting program that connects students from all fields with leaders
in business, law enforcement, and government to delve deeper into applications of
cyber security in the real world.
“Partnering with leading cyber security companies, government, and law enforcement,
the Academy will integrate educational opportunities with community service, cyber
competitions/games, conferences, symposiums, and workshops to create a regional platform
for cyber education at McKendree University,” said Daryl Hancock.
“We see theHub as being a central location for all of these types of activities to
enhance the learning that the Academy will bring through a space that complements
the subject matter.”
As the home base for the university’s Cyber Defense Team, Cyber Academy, and collaboration
among all majors, theHub promises to bring even more opportunities for creativity
and innovation that are unique to McKendree.
Make It McKendree
