Building A One Owens Community Through Space and Place
Posted on January 16, 2025
As I walked to my office at the start of the new year, I found myself reflecting on our campus designs and facilities. With the recent changes to our Toledo-area Campus—the removal of the silo and the opening of the Healthcare Education Center (HEC)—our leadership team has been talking about our physical plant.
However, these discussions have gone beyond buildings; they’ve been about strengthening the true sense of pride and community around Owens. This idea of community extends beyond physical structures into the heart of who we are as an institution. It’s about ensuring that when someone steps onto our campuses, they feel a sense of belonging, purpose and opportunity.
In our conversations, I have had the opportunity to articulate a shared vision for what Owens could become—a vision that has evolved over time. As we reimagine our spaces, the picture has become clearer: this is about creating environments that signal to students, faculty and visitors alike that they’ve arrived somewhere special.
Research demonstrates the powerful connection between physical spaces and learning. It’s why colleges invest in areas where students can connect, collaborate and linger.
At Owens, our student zones exemplify this intentional design, offering spaces where learners can not only relax but also create and collaborate. This intentionality in design fosters an environment where students feel encouraged to stay, engage and grow.
This transformation of our campuses is about honoring our history while embracing a shared vision for the future. Our Toledo-area Campus, much like a family home remodeled over decades, has adapted to changing needs. While each addition has served its purpose, we now have the opportunity to create a more cohesive, future-focused space.
Our Findlay-area Campus was designed as a unified whole from the beginning, offering lessons in the value of purposeful planning. These principles guide us as we plan the next chapter of our campuses. Our commitment is clear: to ensure that Owens is a college that reflects the needs of today’s learners and tomorrow’s leaders.
I’m reminded of a phrase shared during our recent discussions—the idea of “creating a college presence.” This is more than signage or landscaping; it’s about a feeling. When someone walks onto campus, they should feel it in their bones: “I’m at Owens, and I belong here.” This sense of place and purpose drives our work.
As we continue this journey, I am filled with gratitude for our community—for the faculty, staff, students and partners who contribute to this vision. Together, we’re not just building new structures; we’re building a stronger Owens community. Thank you for your energy, ideas and support.
Dione D. Somerville, Ed.D.
President