June 17, 2011

The American Electric Power Foundation recently donated $30,000 to Shawnee State University, bringing the company's pledge of support for the "Poised for Tomorrow" campaign to $150,000 for SSU's Immersive Technology and Arts Center (ITAC).

Their contribution continues to be an asset to the University and has been a critical building block of the campus Motion Capture Studio and related undergraduate Game Design Program.

Shawnee State is home to nationally recognized gaming and simulation academic programs. In February of 2010, a Motion Capture Lab was introduced as the first component of ITAC located in the Advanced Technology Center. The commercial state-of-the art motion capture system is used in interactive media and engineering simulation applications.

Shawnee State was recently given an Honorable Mention on Princeton Review's Top 10 Undergraduate Game Design Programs of 2011. SSU was also recognized by the Ohio Board of Regents as a Center of Excellence in Immersive Technology, which includes the digital simulation and gaming programs, the Motion Capture Studio and developing Immersive Technology and Arts Commercial Center.

"Thanks in part to the vision and generous support of AEP, ITAC facilities are on their way not only to promoting Shawnee's national reputation in the fields of simulation technology and gaming arts, but the center is also an engine of regional economic development," said Eric Braun, executive director of the SSU Development Foundation. "AEP pledged support when the Immersive Technology and Arts Center was just a concept. Their generous gifts made the project a reality."

For more information on how to support this and other initiatives at Shawnee State University, contact the SSU Development Foundation at (740) 351-3284 or http://giveto.shawnee.edu.