Thanks to a generous donation from Angela W. Fowler, class of 1975 and Franklin trustee, Franklin University Switzerland now has a new study space in the Lowerre Academic Center: the Fowler Learning Commons.
This new space integrates the university’s Writing and Learning Center and the Fowler Library into a one-stop service point for students. It provides both quiet study space and collaborative learning spaces for tutoring, mentoring, group projects and undergraduate research support.
Dr. Ann Gardiner, Director of the Writing and Learning Center, said: “The ways in which students learn today have changed dramatically over the last two decades, with a new emphasis on collaborative and technology-enhanced learning. A typical learning commons space includes not only quiet space for individual study, but also casual reading spaces, group study areas, brainstorming environments, presentation preparation areas, and computers for individual or group projects. Thanks to Angela W. Fowler, this is exactly what we are seeing in the new Learning Commons.”
Angela W. Fowler said, "As a Franklin alumna and Trustee, I am fully aware of the importance of providing appropriate infrastructure to facilitate learning at our wonderful university. This is but one small contribution to this, but I hope it will make its mark, as part of a bigger plan to continue modernizing the university's facilities. I was particularly glad to see many students, faculty and staff attend the official opening, as it demonstrates the importance of the Learning Commons and of the university’s Writing and Learning Center in supporting the special kind of education we offer at Franklin. I hope other donors will be inspired by this example, making the Franklin we all love ever better and stronger."
Angela W. Fowler’s generous support to active and engaged learning at Franklin was acknowledged at an official inauguration ceremony held on November 25, 2015 in the new Fowler Learning Commons premises. Pictures from the ceremony are included below.