Jim Bachraty
Daemen College will officially open the new James Bachraty Center for Media Arts at a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Dec. 10 at 3 p.m. in Duns Scotus Room 17.
The newly established center, which will house the college’s instructional design services and the animation program, is being named in remembrance of Bachraty, a long-time and devoted member of the Daemen community who passed away in September.
The Division of Institutional Advancement sought extensive input from a number of constituencies on campus on ways to memorialize Jim and eventually determined that a named center best represented him and his deep commitment to developing first-rate technological support for the college.
“We were especially persuaded by the urging of Jim’s colleagues in IT that we honor him in this way,” said Craig Harris, vice president for institutional advancement. “They made the point that he was central to establishing a strong commitment to technology on this campus.” A named center represents a $150,000 investment on the part of the college.
The new center features a professional green screen paired with 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. The center also provides meeting space for collaboration and consultation on online course development.
“All of us in IT are delighted that the college will memorialize Jim with a named center,” said Kelly Duran, vice president for information technology and long-time friend and colleague of Bachraty. “Nothing would make Jim more proud.”
Daemen President Gary Olson and other college administrators—as well as Matthew Ward, president of Daemen’s Faculty Senate—will speak at the dedication. Members of the Bachraty family and the Daemen community will also be in attendance.
Please join us for this special dedication event for the media arts center named in remembrance of our dear friend Jim Bachraty.