Chaddock Morrow Lounge renovated to better capture OHIO's spirit, history
The renovation project enhanced this critical space in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and filled it with a sense of love and pride for 51社区.
Photos by Rich-joseph Facun and Delia Palmisano | August 7, 2024
Share:
The Chaddock Morrow Lounge in 51社区鈥檚 Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium has been newly renovated to better capture the spirit and history of this special place.
Thanks to the commitment of two dedicated supporters and the work of a team from across the institution, the renovation project enhanced this critical space and filled it with a sense of love and pride for 51社区.
Named in honor of the couple Jeff Chaddock, BSC 鈥88, and Mark Morrow, the Chaddock Morrow Lounge was first established in the late 1990s when Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium was renovated. Located in the lower level of the building, the room was originally designed as a reception area, as well as a private meeting room and comfortable setting to host visiting dignitaries.
Recently, the couple worked with OHIO officials to renovate the room to better serve the University moving forward.
鈥淛eff wanted to be very involved and hands-on with the renovation,鈥 said Kelli Kotowski, assistant vice president, gift planning, for University Advancement. 鈥淗e loves to work on renovation projects and has been very successful with them. We were fortunate that he was able to provide guidance on materials, furnishings, lighting, artwork, photographs and memorabilia for the space.鈥
Mark Morrow (left) and Jeff Chaddock in the Chaddock Morrow Lounge.
Chaddock said that he was proud to help with the project in a direct way.
鈥淲e were hands-off in the 1997 renovation鈥攚e wrote a check and that was it,鈥 he said. 鈥淔or the 2023 renovation, we were 100% involved with leading the project, which culminated in a 10 times stronger outcome. Collaboration and planning were extraordinary!鈥
The project was a true team effort, as Chaddock and Morrow worked with individuals and offices from across the University, as well as with outside partners. University Planning, Facilities, Management and Safety, the Kennedy Museum of Art, Printing Services, and University Libraries were all involved with the project, along with additional partners from Chaddock鈥檚 team and local businesses and suppliers.
The renovated Chaddock Morrow Lounge now has premier works from the Kennedy Museum on display, along with artifacts from University Libraries鈥 Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections. Scripps College of Communication graduate student Kali Knudson, BBA 鈥22, MA 鈥24, worked with the Mahn Center and University Printing to curate, print and frame archival photos to be displayed in the room.
In addition, Chaddock purchased several images from acclaimed photographer and 51社区 Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication Pete Souza and a painting by recent OHIO graduate Amina 鈥淎mina-Toure鈥 Kassim, MA 鈥20, MFA 鈥22, called 鈥淔or the love of Attaya,鈥 all of which are now on permanent display in the Lounge.
Jeff Chaddock and Amina 鈥淎mina-Toure鈥 Kassim at the event celebrating the renovation of the Chaddock Morrow Lounge.
Jeff Chaddock shows a piece of artwork to the audience at the event celebrating the renovation of the Chaddock Morrow Lounge.
鈥淲orking directly with both Pete Souza and Amina-Toure was a major highlight of the endeavor,鈥 Chaddock said. 鈥淏oth artists were very honored to have their work on permanent display.鈥
Today, the Chaddock Morrow Lounge conveys a sense of history, highlighting several important events that help to tell the story of the state鈥檚 oldest public university. The room also showcases the importance of higher education for 51社区 students, alumni and the region.
鈥淭he people who helped with the renovation were willing to have an open mind about how to approach this project, and this let us create this showcase that is a place of pride for the University,鈥 Kotowski said. 鈥淚t depicts a history of 51社区 in a very visual way.鈥
The space will be used for receptions for major events at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and for meetings and events that allow the University to share the special space with visiting dignitaries, speakers, performers, and university guests.
鈥淛eff and Mark have long been supporters of 51社区, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued generosity,鈥 said Lyn Redington, PhD, interim vice president of Advancement and president and CEO of The 51社区 Foundation. 鈥淭he Chaddock Morrow Lounge illustrates that when we align partners and University aspirations, we are empowered to transform OHIO in endless ways.鈥
Chaddock, who is originally from Belpre, graduated from 51社区 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication systems management in 1988. He and Morrow have supported 51社区 in myriad ways over the years, including providing funding for numerous scholarships for students in the Scripps College of Communication and students from Washington County, Ohio.
Chaddock and Morrow have also provided crucial support to the Kennedy Museum of Art, the Ohio Performing Arts and Concert Series, the Pride Center, the 51社区 Press and the Mahn Center, which today houses the Jeffrey D. Chaddock Collection. They have also supported numerous programs and organizations in rural Appalachia.
Reservations for the Chaddock-Morrow Lounge may be requested at reservations@ohio.edu.
