Xavier University News February 3, 2015 First MakerBot 3D Printing Innovation Center in the Midwest opens at Xavier Xavier has signed an agreement with MakerBot, a global leader in the desktop 3D printing industry, to bring a MakerBot Innovation Center to campus-the first university in the Midwest and the first private university in the US to do so. The center is housed in the Center for Innovation<http://xavierinnovation.com/>, which hosts its grand opening on Wednesday, Feb. 4, from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., with remarks from president Michael J. Graham, SJ, at 4:30 p.m. "The Center for Innovation is preparing our students for jobs that have yet to be created," Graham said. "This partnership with MakerBot is a differentiator for Xavier as well as the business community in Cincinnati." Xavier's MakerBot Innovation Center<http://www.makerbot.com/innovation-center> includes 3,500 pounds of material that will contribute to revolutionizing the way students learn on campus and the way Cincinnati does business. The Center also houses 31 MakerBot 3D printers, several 3D scanners, and an innovative 3D printing software link for the printers to provide remote access, print queuing and mass production of 3D prints. Xavier's MakerBot Center will empower students and faculty to collaborate on the creation of prototypes, model making and small-scale creative and manufacturing projects. With dedicated space for start-ups and networking, the MakerBot Innovation Center is also designed to attract local entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. It serves as a local innovation hub bringing together students from different academic disciplines and allowing them the opportunity to collaborate. "The MakerBot Innovation Center has garnered huge interest since we first introduced the concept last year, and we're excited that Xavier University has decided to work with us to unleash the creative potential of 3D printing on its campus and in the Cincinnati area," said Jenny Lawton, CEO of MakerBot. "We're particularly thrilled to provide MakerBot consulting services to work with the team at Xavier to help develop a curriculum that integrates 3D printing. This is an important step that will introduce more students to the idea of 3D printing and how this technology can help them visualize and memorize complex theoretical concepts, gain hands-on experience and unleash their creativity." Tours and demonstrations at the center can be arranged with Shawn Nason, Xavier's chief innovation officer, by contacting Kelly Leon, director for strategic communications, at 513-745-3877. Read more about the new center in Soapbox Cincinnati<http://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/020315-xavier-makes-history-with-purchase-of-MakerBot-3D-printing-center.aspx>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.