Classes Begin at the University of Akron in Lakewood

Lakewood’s opened its doors to the public this week, and Patch was there to get a glimpse of its potential. 

For its debut, the center hosted China week and featured live broadcast presentations from various professors who discussed the country’s relations with and impact on the U.S. 

The presentations were organized through the University of Akron’s Confucius Institute which hosted three keynote speakers – UA professor Michael Sheng, University of Wisconsin professor Edward Friedman and Wayne College professor Paul Weinstein. 

The lectures took place in Akron and were broadcast to , Wayne College, the Medina County University Center and Henan University – one of UA’s sister schools in Kaifeng, China. 

A Q-and-A followed each presentation, and those who sat in at the Lakewood center could speak through microphones to offer feedback and ask questions in real time to the professors about the information in their lectures. 

“The facility really brings the higher education into the community,” UA rep Kim Haverkamp said. “In addition to classes, we have three distance learning rooms, the community room, a computer testing lab so businesses and industry can do standardized testing through the facility and the community can also hold events here as well.” 

Haverkamp said they’re currently recruiting a director for the Lakewood center, and that the facility should be open to the public by early November.