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From Food Service to Innovation Hub: The Story of College@Elm

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From Food Service to Innovation Hub: The Story of College@Elm

Published •

In the heart of Oxford, Ohio, a historic building has been given new life, blending the charm of the past with the promise of the future. What was once a bustling food service building is now the home of College@Elm, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s cutting-edge center for innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning.

A Look Back: The History of the Building

Built in 1933, the building served as ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University’s central food service facility for 68 years, anchoring student life in an unassuming yet essential way. After dining services moved to the new Demske Culinary Support Center, the Elm Street building was repurposed as swing space and storage, before eventually falling into vacancy for several years.

Reimagining the Space:

By 2020, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University and the City of Oxford had a bold vision: transform the vacant structure into a technology, entrepreneurship, and creativity hub (College@Elm). With the designs in the works, preparations began in 2021, culminating in a comprehensive $10.7 million renovation—supported by state funds, JobsOhio, alumni and donor contributions, and government partners.

In February 2023, the newly renamed Lee and Rosemary Fisher Innovation College@Elm officially opened. This two-story, 39,000-square-foot center now houses coworking areas, manufacturing and prototyping facilities, event zones, and space for public-private collaborations—all designed to fuel innovation.

The Birth of College@Elm

College@Elm is more than a building—it’s a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Altman Institute for Entrepreneurship anchors programming, offering accelerators, venture funds, and practical education for student innovators. Notable innovators include Coarse Culture, a startup founded by ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú alumna VaLanDria Smith-Lash, the Fischer Group, 1809 Capital, and local government and development partners.

The hub aims to deliver 52 new jobs and inject $3 million into the local economy over five years, helping Oxford transition to a 12-month economic model and reduce periods of dormancy when students are away.

Looking Ahead

College@Elm is a symbol of what’s possible when history and innovation meet. It’s a place where the past informs the future, and where students can turn their curiosity into action. As ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University continues to champion creativity, entrepreneurship, and hands-on learning, College@Elm will remain a key part of that mission—fostering a new generation of thinkers, makers, and doers.

From the past to the future, College@Elm embodies what ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University stands for: a commitment to learning, growth, and impact. And just like the ideas that are launched within its walls, its story is only just beginning.

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Sketch of College @ Elm Building in Dark TanCollege @ Elm Graphics and Web Pages Developed by ETBD Students: IMS 440 | Spring 2025