INTRODUCTION
The University of Notre Dame is recognized as one of the nation’s leading institutions of higher learning, standing at the forefront in teaching, research and service to society. With over 12,000 students, the university attracts people from all over the world, offering undergraduate, professional, and graduate students a chance to pursue their academic endeavors in a unique scholarly community.
Notre Dame has revolutionized its approach to education by developing a catalog of AV core standards built on Crestron technology. Each core standard is specifically designed to transform spaces, such as conference rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, study spaces, seminar rooms, and offices. “Providing Notre Dame with a premier user experience has always been a priority for my team,” explains Jason Railton, Manager of ND Studios AV Technologies at Notre Dame. “Standardizing on Crestron allowed us to empower our faculty and students to utilize technologies both on campus and abroad."
THE CHALLENGE
The Campus Crossroads Project was the largest building initiative in the history of the university, featuring over 800,000 square feet of classroom, research, student life, media, performance, meeting, event, and hospitality space. The project’s three state-of-the-art buildings overlook Notre Dame Stadium and feature academic spaces, libraries, and lounge areas for receptions. With a history of successfully deploying intuitive technologies across campus, Jason and his team were asked to integrate their AV core standards for all three buildings. “Our task was to create revolutionary new spaces and help bring the university’s vision to life,” explains Railton.
THE SOLUTION
Crestron control is used throughout the Campus Crossroads Project, providing anyone who enters infinite control at all times. With Crestron touch screens and Notre Dame’s easy-to-use interface, users can easily and quickly customize the space. Crestron DigitalMedia™ is used inside classrooms, teaching labs, conference rooms, and tutoring areas to distribute content for a more immersive learning experience. In addition, each building features unique spaces for students, faculty, and guests to network, celebrate, and host events on campus.
The Office of Information Technologies have been transforming traditional classrooms into active learning spaces, completely changing the way students and faculty interact within the classroom. Crestron DM NVX™ serves as the backbone for these intuitive learning environments and enable students and faculty to share content collaboratively.
To outfit new conference rooms, the university has adopted the Crestron Flex platform as part of their AV core standards. “We needed a solution that was simple, intuitive, and could natively integrate with our existing video conferencing platform,” explains Railton. “Crestron Flex provides us a consistent user experience, exceptional audio, and image quality."
RESULTS
Since the opening of the Campus Crossroads Project, Jason and his team have redesigned over 175 classrooms across campus with Crestron technology utilizing the same core standards. “Crestron has helped us provide a consistent and seamless user experience across all of our campuses worldwide,” says Railton. “As we work on expanding our core standards across campus, Crestron will continue to serve as Notre Dame’s technology backbone.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
