Governor Engler joins Media Union dedication, praises 'U' technology

JONATHAN LURIE/Daily
Governor John Engler was greeted by then-President James Duderstadt as he arrived at the dedication of the Media Union on North Campus on June 21.

The University officially dedicated its newest building, the Media Union, on June 21. Gov. John Engler joined outgoing University President James Duderstadt and members of the University community in dedicating the technologically robust building on North Campus.

"The Media Union adds another world-class dimension to this already world-class University," Engler said. "It's a building that bets on the creativity of man and woman. It's a testimony to vision and confidence about the 21st century."

The building is home to a virtual-reality laboratory, an online library and interactive multimedia classrooms, among other high-tech gadgets.

"We're dedicating a laboratory for the future of education itself," Duderstadt said. "It will enable this University to serve the people in the University by the powerful tools of technology."

Vice Provost for Academic Outreach and Information Technology Douglas Van Houweling, Regent Philip Power, Art School Dean Allen Samuels, and Music and Engineering sophomore Erik Gottesman also spoke at the event.

Engler praised Duderstadt for his work in preparing the University for the challenges of the next century.

"You have positioned the University well for the 21st century," Engler said to Duderstadt. "Your legacy will dwell into the 21st century."

Duderstadt is supervising the Michigan Virtual Automotive College project, which was announced by Engler earlier this year. The project is a collaboration of the state's higher education institutions to offer training and education programs to the automotive industry through the Internet.

"Technology is a great leap forward for a child to be the best," Engler said in an interview with The Michigan Daily. "Every child, regardless of where he lives has that opportunity to have access to education through this technology."

Engler said innovations like the Media Union will foster equality in education. Engler said the building "is all about potential, driving people to reach further and strive harder."

Engler said he wants the state of Michigan to "seek nothing less than the best in the world" in terms of education.

Engler said the way of looking at education needs to be transformed, utilizing new technologies. "We have to ask ourselves, 'What does it take to be excellent?'"

Engler said he sees the Media Union as a way "to unlock the value of Michigan education."

Engler said he envisions the state becoming a world leader in education. "We can take our assets, the talents of our faculty and leaders, and make them available globally," he said.

Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Engler took a tour of the building and tested some of the services that the facility offers.

Construction for the Media Union began in 1994, with most of its funding coming from the state. In total, the construction of the building cost about $40 million.

By September, the Media Union is expected to boast more than 500 computing stations to accompany its other technologically advanced assets.

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