SBU at the Robert H Jackson Center

Great evening and thanks for encouraging a great turnout. All were extremely pleases. Onward and upwards. Greg

St. Bonaventure, Jackson Center Form Partnership

By Katrina Fuller kfuller@post-journal.com

The brown and white banner of St. Bonaventure adorned the front of the Robert H. Jackson Center auditorium Thursday night in honor of a special occasion.
The center opened its doors and welcomed a guest panel of St. Bonaventure faculty and staff along with a well-known student from the area to give a little insight into the St. Bonaventure way at an open house event. The open house highlighted the partnership that has recently developed between the two organizations.
The partnership agreement was signed in May which allows St. Bonaventure students and staff to access the Jackson Center archives. Also, history courses will be developed based around the use and analysis of the Jackson archives. A technological link will also be developed between the two entities, and an internship is being planned to help the Jackson Center increase its digital archive capacity.
Currently, Phillip Payne, history professor, is holding a historical methods course in which the students are using the archives.
"It's a small step," he said, adding it is a good way for the students to become involved in using the archives.
The panel featured Payne; Tim Kenney, athletic director; Pauline Hoffmann, Jandoli School of Communications dean; Taylor Rosenburg, admissions counselor; and Cameron Hurst, journalism major and graduate of Jamestown High School. Greg Peterson, Robert H. Jackson Center co-founder, moderated the panel and introduced the guests.
"We are so glad to have this open house with St. Bonaventure University," Peterson said.
He said he was thrilled to see that a portal to four-year education has been opened to downtown Jamestown.
Andrew Roth, St. Bonaventure University interim president, said he is excited to see the possibilities of the partnership unfold.
"It's a fascinating facility and absolutely rich in educational and intellectual potential if we can think our way through how to use the archives," Roth said. "I'd like to thank Greg for the evening, and I look forward to your visit to campus in week or so as we continue to figure out how to cooperate and collaborate with one another to enrich the life of the Southern Tier of Western New York."
Discussion from the panel ranged from the upcoming basketball season to how the partnership could offer a variety of opportunities for students and the community in the future.
Kenney said there is such a thing at St. Bonaventure called the "St. Bonaventure Bubble," that many people don't leave, but this partnership will encourage movement and sharing.
"We're looking to do more," he said.
Hurst said his experience at St. Bonaventure has been amazing and he is thrilled the partnership has come to his hometown. He said he can't explain the feeling that St. Bonaventure brings to his life.
At the end, the panelists offered one word that summed up why a student should consider attending St. Bonaventure University which included the words, "Opportunity, experience, faculty and community."
Payne said his thoughts echoed those of his colleagues.

"It's not just about the academics," he said. "You think about (the students) as people."