Onondaga Community College's Board of Trustees voted today to rename the primary classroom associated with the Business degree programs "Crabill Commons" in honor of retiring President Dr. Casey Crabill. The learning space formerly known as "Whitney Commons" was opened on the 2nd floor of the Whitney Applied Technology Center in the fall of 2015. It includes a scrolling illuminated stock ticker, large touch screens and monitors in the active collaboration area where students work as problem-solving teams, a backlit map of the world to show visual learners how transactions on one side of the world ripple across the globe, and clocks showing current times in business centers around the world.
The name change was accompanied by a $100,000 gift from Community Bank to the OCC Foundation which provides funding for student scholarships, programs, and projects which create partnerships in success for students and the entire community.
"As a graduate of Onondaga Community College, I know first-hand the value of an OCC degree and how it impacted my career. OCC is one of this community's greatest treasures and Dr. Crabill did a remarkable job leading the institution throughout her 9 years as President. Putting her name on one of the college's showcase learning environments, which was transformed during her tenure, is a fitting tribute to her and all she accomplished," said OCC Board of Trustees member Mark Tryniski '81.
The Crabill Commons ceremony was the final tribute to Dr. Crabill who had been recognized for her outstanding career numerous times during her final year in office. Earlier in the month she attended her final Onondaga County Legislature meeting and was presented with both a Gold Seal resolution, and a proclamation by County Executive J. Ryan McMahon declaring June 8 "Casey Crabill Day" in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County.
