LAWTON, Okla. (October 1, 2012) – A crowd of faculty, staff, students and donors recently gathered on the campus of Cameron University for the unveiling of the new Academic Commons. The $4 million renovation took about a year to complete and is a transformation of the former student union.

Previously known by students as “the ugliest building on campus,” the newly remodeled structure houses the Communication Department’s convergence journalism program, Sarkeys Foundation Student Computer Laboratory, an IT help desk, a multidisciplinary tutoring center, and modern classroom space.

“Cameron University is focused on providing a 21st century higher education environment for its students,” said Fred Schmidt, project principal over the Frankfurt Short Bruza architecture and engineering team. “Our team designed the renovation to support that effort in every way possible. From advanced electronics for the television studio down to soft seating areas that provide an interactive environment for the students, this project continues FSB’s work to build a stronger Cameron.”

Before unveiling the building, the crowd watched a short video documenting the construction called “Extreme Makeover – Cameron Edition.” At the conclusion of the video, the large bus blocking the view of the building pulled away to loud cheers of “move that bus.”