Upgrades to improve business collaboration

Posted on Thursday, June 17, 2021

Architect's rendering of business classroom innovations

Business classrooms in Smith Hall have been undergoing renovations this summer with the installation of up-to-date technology, including smart boards, screen-sharing devices and movable tables.

Dr. Linda McMullen, Business Chair and Ely R. Callaway Senior Associate Professor of Management, said the new spaces will improve learning environments for the students.

One of the biggest changes will be in the Whorton Room, the department’s largest classroom.

“The space with its row of desks doesn’t lend itself to anything other than lectures,” Dr. McMullen said. “It’s hard for students to work in teams when they are turning around across immovable desks, and they can’t share screens.

“With this new layout, you can have small groups working on a project together.”

Movable lecterns will give professors a more hands-on approach, allowing them to help multiple groups in the classroom at the same time.

“Today’s business world is all about collaboration,” she said. “We need our students to feel comfortable working in those situations.”

Small stations around the classrooms will allow students to move around and to work together to do research and create presentations.

“Part of the way our students prepare is that they work in small groups and they work outside of the classroom. These changes will allow them to work both during classes and outside of classes in ways that are much more helpful, that teach them how to use technology appropriately,” said Dr. McMullen.

An adjacent room will be modernized into a business lab where students can create projects and problem-solve for courses like Entrepreneurship and Marketing. Down the hall, two smaller classrooms will be consolidated to allow for larger classes.

Although COVID is not the driving factor for these updates, the new technology will improve the quality and accessibility of lessons available online and prepare students for careers in a changing world, Dr. McMullen said.

“More and more, even after the pandemic is over, things aren’t going back to the way they were. There will be more working from home or a combination of home and in-office, so students have to be comfortable working with technology and with people across technology.”

The new furniture and technology will allow professors to reconfigure the space for every class, she said.

“Creating these collaboration centers is a complete game-changer for us as we prepare our students for their careers and the work environments where they will be practicing.”

Barring any unforeseen setbacks, the goal is to have the work complete by the beginning of fall semester, she said.

Campus notes 

Alpha Omicron Pi, Kappa Delta and Phi Mu will be celebrating 50 years on the Hill with a special event during Homecoming 2021. The gathering will be from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 30 at Highland Country Club. Invitations will be sent via email, so those who are interested in attending or serving on a committee should send their email address to lagrangecollegesororities@gmail.com or call 706-880-8244. The email invitation will include information on how to purchase tickets, as well as details on sorority tailgates and open houses.

A new slate of officers for the Alumni Executive Committee will take office July 1. They include Rhett James ’99, immediate past president; the Rev. Ashley Fitzpatrick Jenkins ’ 08, president; and Spencer King ’00, president-elect. Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, said the committee focuses on how to best support Admission on freshmen enrollment, as well as encouraging philanthropy with alumni to fund projects such as Giving Tuesday and the Gateway Sustainers recurring gift program. Any alumnus who has an interest in serving in such a leadership position should contact Pirkle at mpirkle@lagrange.edu or by calling 706-880-8245.

As we approach the end of this fiscal year, we are asking alumni who have not given to make a difference in the lives of our students by making a recurring small-dollar amount gift. The impact starts small, but grows over time. Donors can give any dollar amount they are comfortable with and can give monthly, quarterly or yearly. They can also choose the length they want to donate. For example, if someone makes a !10 and they choose for how long they want to donate! So, someone could make a $10, two-month recurring gift and it would make an impact in two different fiscal years! Visit here to give.

Sports

Baseball

USA South honored 131 LC student-athletes by naming them to the USA South 2020-21 Academic All-Conference Team. Read about it here.

The Panthers had six players receive postseason honors. Junior third baseman Joe Ruth was a first-team selection on the ABCA/Rawlings South Region and on the second team D3baseball.com All-South Region second team. Sophomore shortstop Cael Chatham was on both the ABCA/Rawlings South Region and D3baseball.com All-South Region second teams. Junior outfielder McKinley Erves was on the ABCA/Rawlings South Region second team. Senior designated hitter E.J. Churchich, sophomore starting pitcher Baley Coleman and junior outfielder Jack Layrisson were all on the ABCA/Rawlings South Region third team.

July faculty and staff birthdays

1 – John Cook

2 – Carol Yin

5 – Braxton Ford

6 – Deb Hall

7 – Janet Craft

9 – Lucinda Muncy

10 – Kim Barber Knoll

Brian Hunter

14 – Kelly Ansley

19 – Amber Baldridge

23 – Ann McQuilken

24 – Sharon Livingston

Joseph Miller

27 – Jon Ernstberger

28 – Jackie Belcher

Beth McClanahan

30 – Krystal Miller

Video of the Week

Three current LaGrange College students - Colby Bell, Carlie Jones and Erielle Robinson - guide prospective students through the simple and free application process.