A local dignitary’s home and a new house for the president are in the future for Ohio University Southern Campus and Shawnee State University respectively.

Friday, July 06, 2001

A local dignitary’s home and a new house for the president are in the future for Ohio University Southern Campus and Shawnee State University respectively.

OUSC is receiving a $150,000 grant to purchase the late Oakley C. Collins’ house at 1005 Kemp Lane in Ironton, which is adjacent to the campus.

The university’s administration was "eager and interested" in buying the property when it became available, OUSC Dean Dan Evans said.

The residence will be maintained as a tribute to Collins and his contributions to the area, Evans said.

A final decision about the use of the house has not been decided, but it may be used to archive documents Collins produced or as a residential facility for the university’s guests, he said.

"We hope to keep it intact," Evans said, adding that the facility definitely will not be torn down or entirely turned into office space.

OUSC owns several other buildings adjacent to the campus as well.

Meanwhile, Shawnee State University will be using its $400,000 allocation to purchase a replacement house for the university president.

The new residence will be better suited to the users’ needs with more parking, easier access for the public, larger meeting rooms and a food service area, according to a news release from State Rep. John Carey.

The state’s higher education controlling board agreed to allow the funds to be released to the universities for proposed projects.

"I’m sure the Boards of Trustees made this a great priority or they would not have requested these funds," Carey said.