Mount Vernon Nazarene University to create joint engineering and computer science space in downtown Mount Vernon

An empty building in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio will receive a makeover thanks to Mount Vernon Nazarene University. The building at 18 E. Vine St. will become a state of the art academic hub for computer science and engineering students at the University. The project hopes to bring more energy and life to the lower floor of the old Mount Vernon News building, while also working to relocate the Computer Science program at the school into a new shared space with its Engineering programs.

The project is being funded by a grant from the Ariel Foundation, which represents the third-largest gift the University has ever received. The grant includes more than $1.4 million in cutting edge equipment for the space, which will improve the quality of learning for students as well as facilitate more research opportunities in computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering, in addition to computer science.

The building has been named the HW Hub in memory of Hunter Wright. Once completed, the totally redone academic space will be accessible through Blackberry Alley, which is near the Stephen W. Nease Center, which is home to MVNU’s engineering programs. The HW Hub is being treated as an expansion to the Nease Center, which is in need of space for growth for the current academic spaces. The HW Hub will also provide new laboratories for work in cyber security, embedded systems research, networking, computing, mechanical engineering, and virtual reality. The state of the art facility will allow for students to have the opportunity to train with the newest cutting edge technologies while preparing them for potential graduate studies, and improving their ability to be competitive and effective in the job market. The facility being a shared space will allow for students in the two areas of study to work together and develop skills in collaboration.

In an article posted on Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s website, the Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences Dr. LeeAnn Couts was quoted about the new facility, saying, “There is no question this new facility will strengthen our engineering and computer science majors in significant ways. This move will foster greater collaboration between the computer science and engineering programs, thereby reinforcing our newly established computer engineering major. Further support for the new major will come from a new embedded computing laboratory in the new space,”

The HW Hub will work to position the university as a leading choice in STEM education and programs both now and for years to come. The facility will allow for more capacity for enrollment, and will provide a high quality learning space for those students, including more faculty led research opportunities. This project is happening concurrently with the new Intel fabrication facilities being constructed in Licking County. Mount Vernon Nazarene University has already developed partnerships with Intel and other organizations that will allow for experimental microcredential workshops for students and other short courses, as well as resources for school faculty to continue to develop their skills when it comes to cutting edge technology.

Dr. Amy Kovach, who serves as MVNU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, weighed in as well, saying, “We are thrilled about and grateful for this generous gift from Ariel Foundation. This timely gift enhances our ability to meet the changing needs of our community. As we open the HW Hub, we will be better equipped to academically prepare engineers and computer scientists, allowing MVNU to help meet the current and future employment demands in these fields.”

Students and faculty will have access to the HW Hub starting in the fall semester of 2025. Construction on the building will start in the summer of 2024.

The name of the HW Hub comes in honor of the memory of Hunter N. Wright, who was president of Ariel Corporation and who passed away two years ago after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Wright was part of Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s Engineering Industrial Advisory Board, and provided much insight on various educational objectives with the goal of building the engineering program, and ran external input on assessment of the program in order to provide constant improvement. He was also known for his desire to bring people together, and as such, the gift of this building honors that aspect of his memory by providing a space where students can participate in a hands on learning space that is collaborative and where opportunities in the computer sciences and engineering fields can be explored, and where real world solutions to industry challenges can be developed.

The owner of the former Mount Vernon News building is the Knox County Land Bank. The bank is pleased to allow for this transformation of the empty building into a place of commerce and learning that is in line with the organization’s goal of providing the most effective use for all of its properties.

Sam Filkins, who serves as Vice President of the Area Development Foundation, which is in charge of the operation of the Land Bank, spoke highly of the project, saying, “By adding first-class lab space and classrooms to the lower level of the building, MVNU will create and retain jobs while developing an educated workforce for local companies. These programs are in line with current and future workforce needs and demonstrate MVNU’s forward-thinking approach to being a leader in this area.”

The facade of the building will be completely revitalized by merging modern functionality with historic elements. The Land Bank will also repurpose the main floor of the building such that it can be used for new commercial spaces in the historic district of the downtown area.

More information about Mount Vernon Nazarene University can be found on the school’s website.