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AMHERST, N.Y. – ˿����Ƶ College’s official dedication of the newly named James Bachraty Center for Media Arts drew a capacity crowd from the campus community at the opening event held on Dec. 10.

Located in Duns Scotus Hall, the center is named in memory of Jim Bachraty, a beloved ˿����Ƶ colleague and friend who passed away in September.

“We are proud to celebrate Jim’s life and work with this center, which will serve as a lasting tribute to him and a tangible symbol of his dedication to our college,” said ˿����Ƶ President Gary Olson. “A respected member of our college community, Jim faithfully served ˿����Ƶ for three decades and was deeply devoted to ˿����Ƶ College. In establishing this center that bears Jim’s name, his legacy will proudly endure at ˿����Ƶ.”

The named center, which represents a $150,000 investment on the part of the college, was established following extensive feedback from various ˿����Ƶ constituencies on how best to honor and remember Bachraty on campus.

The James Bachraty Center for Media Arts is home to the college’s instructional design services and the animation program. It includes a professional green screen and high-definition video recording and lighting equipment, a glass lightboard to enhance video lectures, and editing computer workstations equipped with specialized software to facilitate development of online courses. Meeting space for collaboration and consultation on online course development is also housed in the center.

“We are extremely proud to have this center named for our good friend and colleague Jim Bachraty,” said Kelly Duran, vice president for information technology. “This center reaffirms the memory of the great impact and many contributions Jim had on this campus and his unending commitment to our college throughout his 30-year tenure.”