A university is more than just the buildings that make up its campus. It is the people; it is the ideas which fill those buildings that make the structures so special.

Ohio University Southern realizes this, and has launched a project to preserve special OUS memories to commemorate the school's 50th anniversary.

In 2006, the Southern branch of Ohio University will be a half-century old, and library director Mary Stout is attempting to celebrate with a collection of memories from the school's first 50 years.

From graduates talking about their favorite teachers to teachers swapping stories about troublesome classes, nothing is off-limits for this collection of memories that will be distributed at 50th anniversary celebrations during 2006.

"I hope it gives them (readers) a sense of accomplishment, and I hope it helps them remember their time at the university, things that they may have forgotten," Stout said. "I hope it makes them say 'Oh yeah, I remember that now!'"

Anyone

submit a story.

"It could be a student, previous faculty, community members who have memories about the university like when we were in the high school or when we first started with the Collins Center," Stout said. "We are just wanting as many contributions as possible."

The going has been slow with only two submissions so far, but Stout said she hopes the recently opened Web site at www.southern.ohiou.edu/library/50thAnniversary.html will help.

Besides the Web site, stories can be submitted to Ohio University Southern Library, 1804 Liberty Ave., Ironton, Ohio 45638.

Stout can be reached

at (740) 533-4649.