Author: "antioch college" - Google News

Antioch College was one of 13 Ohio institutions of higher education to receive federal stimulus funds to upgrade facilities to be more energy efficient, according to a June 10 press release.

“These projects reinforce Ohio’s commitment to energy efficiency,” according to Governor Ted Strickland in the release. “The awards announced today strengthen all sectors of Ohio’s economy to create jobs and lay a foundation for Ohio to lead the nation in the efficient use of electricity. We appreciate President Obama, and the members of Ohio’s Congressional delegation who supported the Recovery Act, for their commitment to job creation in the growing energy industry.”

The college received $289,887 to retrofit the Glen Helen Ecology Institute building and to install a ground-source, 29-ton heat pump.

Other stimulus fund recipients were Bowling Green State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, Hocking Technical College, Lourdes College, Oberlin College, Ohio University, Ohio Wesleyan, Stark State College of Technology, Wittenberg University and Ursuline College.

The Ohio Department of Transportation also received $1,662,500 in stimulus funds for the installation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies at a variety of rest areas on interstate highways. Altogether, the state received $25 million through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

To keep the community updated on the progress of Antioch College’s re-opening, the college organized an informal discussion on the second Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at the Emporium. Community members can bring their questions, while Antioch provides the coffee.

“Historically the college has not been good at letting people know what they’re up to,” said Susan Eklund-Leen, director of work at the college.

“We’re sharing the good news about the college,” said Julian Sharp, Antioch’s manager of volunteer work. “We want to be accessible to the village of Yellow Springs.”

Topics at yesterday’s “Coffee with the College” discussion included next weekend’s alumni reunion, the progress of building renovations on campus, the accreditation process, the search for a new president, the re-opening of Curl Gym for community use and the new curriculum and co-op program.

Antioch’s co-op program, which has been a distinguishing feature of the college since 1921, will now include on-campus work in addition to off-campus jobs, Eklund-Leen said.

“Work is going to be woven into the fabric of the campus,” said Eklund-Leen. “[Students] are going to be working with their hands, heads and hearts. They will understand the value of all work.”

Potential volunteer opportunities were also discussed at the gathering.

“Volunteers are an integral part to the rebuilding of the college and to its independence,” said Sharp, adding that the largest percentage of non-alumni volunteers come from the village. He said that next week more than 50 volunteers will restore benches, plant flowers and paint over graffiti at the Penell House on the Antioch campus. Other villagers can sign up to help by emailing Sharp at jsharp@antiochcollege.org.