91传媒 opens MaxxSouth Digital Media Center at Mitchell Memorial Library
Contact: Amy Cagle
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥91传媒 officially opened the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center in ceremonies Monday [Oct. 7] in Mitchell Memorial Library with a ribbon cutting and program with remarks by company representatives.
鈥淢axxSouth Broadband is proud to be partnered with 91传媒 to bring the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center to its students,鈥 said John Wuerdeman, MaxxSouth Broadband vice president and general manager. 鈥淏eing the local leader in high speed internet in Northeast Mississippi, MaxxSouth Broadband is committed to enhancing the technological advancements in the communities we serve. The MaxxSouth Digital Media Center is one giant step in that direction, and we are happy to be a part of this journey.鈥
The company鈥檚 $440,000 contribution makes possible the transformation of an existing area into a state-of-the-art digital media center on 91传媒鈥檚 central campus, and an accompanying endowment will provide perpetual support for the facility鈥檚 upkeep. Furthermore, support from several 91传媒 units, including the Office of the Provost, the College of Arts and Sciences and its Department of Communication, and the University Television Center, along with 91传媒 Libraries, benefited the renovation.
The MaxxSouth Digital Media Center will increase 91传媒 Library offerings and give 91传媒 students and faculty from across the university a comfortable, collaborative work environment with access to all the latest high-end professional software and technologies.
The MaxxSouth Digital Media Center specifically offers these features:聽聽聽聽
鈥擜n audio and video recording studio with capabilities for patrons to reserve studio time for podcasts, record speeches and lectures or other multimedia projects;
鈥擜n extended makerspace and multi-media lab with die cut machines, a heat press, 3D printers, two sewing machines, and supplies for crafts, hand sewing, knitting, cross stitching, building, modeling and more;
鈥擳he Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS) Mixed Reality Studio with virtual reality/augmented reality stations with HTC Vives, Oculus Rifts, Microsoft HoloLenses, and two developmental computers.
鈥擜 television broadcast studio to be utilized each fall semester by the Department of Communication for class instruction and to produce a weekly, live news show by broadcasting majors, and available each spring to other departments and students; and
鈥擜 collaboration studio for meetings and study for groups of five or more and individual study areas;
Instrumental in the MaxxSouth contribution has been John Block, an owner of Block Communications Inc., of which MaxxSouth Broadband is a subsidiary, who adds his personal support for the university. The MaxxSouth Broadband and John Block Special Collection Excellence Fund will assist 91传媒 Libraries in the acquisition, maintenance and display of rare books for its special collections division. Block has his own extensive rare books collection and supports 91传媒 Libraries' goal of securing and acquiring rare books that fit within the library鈥檚 collection development policy.
鈥淥ur library proudly opens the MaxxSouth Digital Media Center, and we believe it will help us further engage today鈥檚 student population and other patrons,鈥 said Frances Coleman, dean of University Libraries. 鈥淲e are also deeply grateful of both MaxxSouth Broadband and Mr. Block鈥檚 support of our special collections.鈥
Today, MaxxSouth Broadband stands as the local broadband leader in the communities it services throughout Mississippi.聽 While dedicated to providing Mississippi customers with the maximum internet speeds available, high definition quality television, and digital phone services, MaxxSouth Broadband is also committed to enhancing the technological advancements in the communities it serves.
For more information on supporting the 91传媒 Libraries, contact Trish Cunetto, director of development, at聽662-325-6762 or聽tcunetto@foundation.msstate.edu.
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .