TU to construct new building

TIFFIN – Tiffin University announced Tuesday the construction of the Center for Innovation and Learning. A press release from the university described the building as "a cutting-edge academic facility that will shape the future of education on campus." Five houses behind Pfeiffer Library on Sandusky Street across from St. Mary Catholic Church are planned to be torn down to make room for the over 30,000-square-foot building. The university said the building will have a board room, and 14 "state-of-the-art" classrooms designed to promote critical thinking, creativity and interactive learning. The new building will house the Center for Entrepreneurship with "...cutting-edge technology and resources, serve as a hub for partnership with the local and regional community and provide students and faculty with an environment that encourages innovation and academic excellence." President Lillian Schumacher is enthusiastic about the transformative impact of the upcoming facility, stating, "The Center for Innovation and Learning reflects our commitment to providing an unparalleled educational experience for our students. "By investing in advanced infrastructure and modern learning spaces, we are ensuring that Tiffin University remains a leader in fostering intellectual curiosity and innovation." Mitch Blonde, vice president for Institutional Advancement & Public Affairs/Chief Advancement Officer for Tiffin University, attended a recent Kiwanis Club of Tiffin meeting in which he discussed the new building and current enrollment. According to submitted information for PeopleClips, Blonde said "the university has about 1,000 students on campus and 1,450 traditional students. There are also over 3,000 full-time students and a head count of 3,700." When discussing the project, Blonde said the building is "...expected to be key in TU's goal of having 1,700 traditional students." This fall, the university welcomed 591 new students to its campus, including first-year, transfer and graduate students both domestic and international. The group is broken down into the following demographics: 436 first-year undergraduates (traditional) 60 undergraduate transfer students 20 international first-year undergraduates 14 international undergraduate transfer students 61 international graduate students In addition to the on-campus students, TU welcomed 316 new students in the online undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. programs.