Xerox Lab Dedication

Computer Facilities Expand
CBA Dedicates Xerox Laboratory


Ohio University Provost James L. Bruning, left, and Hugh Dalton, Xerox systems account sales manager, dedicate the Xerox Computer Instructional Laboratory during ceremonies held in January.Photo by Harry Snavely

Executives from the Xerox Corp. joined Ohio University administrators, faculty and students in dedicating the College's Xerox computer laboratory in January.

A gift from Xerox of $200,000 in equipment, software and cash created the 20-unit office automation and distributive processing lab.

"The Xerox laboratory makes our computer systems in business program, which is unique in the country, even stronger," says John C. Day, a computer systems in business professor in the management systems department. Housed on the ground floor of Copeland Hall, the lab is equipped with two Xerox Ethernet local area networks which link the 20 Xerox 6085 professional computer systems, two 80 megabyte file servers and two Xerox 8044 laser printers.

Students are using the lab for courses in office automation and distributive processes and in systems design.

A group of former Ohio University students can take credit for the College's fourth and newest computer lab. "Six alumni, all from Xerox, walked into my office two years ago," says CBA Dean John E. Stinson. "They had been following the computer systems in business (CSB) program through the Inventory and knew of our partnership with Digital Equipment Corp. and Cincom Systems. They asked how Xerox could join the partnership and help the CSB program develop."

Most of the group came from the Cincinnati office, and they included Tom Starr, printing systems product manager; Hugh Dalton, systems account sales manager; Steven McGinnis, office systems representative; David W. Middleton, district sales manager; John T. Mirosavich, state of Ohio national account manager; and Ed Oravec, national account manager.

Another Ohio University alumna, Caribe Ann Malo, information systems analyst, worked on the project as it grew, and Reuben Daniel, district systems sales manager, replaced Starr who had been promoted and transferred to California.

Discussions over the course of a year, with the support of Harry Bednar, senior vice president, customer service, and also an OU alumnus, led to Xerox providing funding and equipment to match the first year of a $150,000 Academic Challenge grant. The grant, recognizing the CSB program as a "center of excellence," came through the Ohio Board of Regents Academic Challenge program and provides a permanent adjustment to the area's budget of $150,000 annually.

Stinson praises the alumni for their role in the project. "This started through the efforts of individuals loyal to their school and to their organization," Stinson says. "This shows you don't have to be a president of a major corporation to make things happen."


Computer systems in business faculty and students, Xerox representatives, and University and College administrators crowd the new Xerox computer facility, a 20-unit office automation and distributive processing laboratory. - Photo by Harry Snavely

CBA Inventory - Winter 1987