Okeechobee - Saturday, October 8, 2022: Indian River State College’s (IRSC) Dixon Hendry Campus, located at 2229 NW 9th Ave., Okeechobee, will unveil the results of a $25,000 renovation to the Learning Commons with an Open House on Tuesday, October 11.
Renovation of the Commons, an area set aside where students can gather to collaborate on projects or to just find a peaceful place to study, began last summer with a fresh paint job. Then, in September, the last shipment of new furniture arrived and was set up to complete the renovation, said Russ Brown, President of the Dixon Hendry Campus. “By providing an inviting environment where our students are comfortable, we have created something that, in many cases, students can’t access anywhere else,” Brown said.
The creation of the Learning Commons is project of the College’s STEM Pioneer Program, funded by a five-year Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) grant from the United States Department of Education. Additional projects are planned, including a renovation of the second floor of the library at IRSC’s Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie.
“We are thrilled with the feedback we are already getting from students,” said Lynne O’Dell, Project Director for STEM Pioneers. “The modern, comfortable seating and tables help us create multiple study areas to foster collaboration.” The program has already increased enrollment, retention, and the number of undergraduate research opportunities available in Associate Degree programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, and increased transfer rates for Hispanic and low-income students, O’Dell said.
The October 11 Open House begins at 1:00 with welcome remarks by Brown and O’Dell, followed by a pizza lunch and prizes. The Learning Commons will remain open to visitors until 5:00 p.m.
For more details, contact O’Dell at 772-462-7785 or email lodell@irsc.edu.
