OXFORD, Miss. – Rainy weather did not dampen the April 5 grand opening of the University of Mississippi’s new research facility, Insight Park.
“This is an exciting time for the university,” said Alice Clark, vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs. “The purpose of Insight Park is to ensure that the research outcomes of world-class researchers are put into action, transforming what we know and how we do things. It’s a place where technology and research-based companies can benefit from being close to the University of Mississippi, working with university faculty, staff and students.”
The park, located at 850 Insight Park Avenue, was developed as an economic catalyst. Its goal is to raise the state’s per-capita income and quality of life by attracting knowledge-based businesses and high-paying jobs. By offering well-designed facilities for corporate and entrepreneurial partners, in conjunction with research expertise and service, clients will benefit from an intellectually stimulating climate.
Representatives from the university, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Oxford and Lafayette County were present at the celebration. Chancellor Dan Jones gave remarks on the importance of the facility.
“I would like to say what a happy occasion it is to celebrate something that not only moves the university forward in real tangible ways, but moves this community forward, moves our state forward, moves our nation forward and moves the world forward,” Jones said. “It is always good when universities do something that makes the world a better place.”
Those attending the celebration were encouraged to tour the state-of-the-art building. Some notable aspects of the facility include wet and dry labs, a geothermal heating and cooling system, and an advanced Cisco data network. The park has four tenants: Randall Commercial Group LLC, SOAIR LLC, Sweet Cheeks LLC and Sherpa Solutions LLC.
In the fall of 2012, the North Mississippi Education Consortium and the Child Advocacy and Play Therapy Institute will relocate to Insight Park from Guyton Hall. Marilyn Snow, UM associate professor of leadership and counselor education and founder of CAPTI, feels that moving to the new facility will increase the program’s accessibility.
“This move will help us provide play therapy services for children in this community and throughout north Mississippi,” Snow said. “There are many children who need play therapy services and have to wait weeks before they can meet with a counselor even briefly. I spoke with a district attorney from DeSoto County last week, and he said there are so many cases where children need special attention but have limited options.”
For more information visit http://insightparkum.com/. To inquire about touring Insight Park, call 662-915-3131.