Founded in 1847, Otterbein University has a rich legacy of educating generations of learners, but found that their visual technology, such as projectors and large screen displays, was falling short. Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America helped Franklin and the team outfit more than 125 learning spaces with NEC projectors and displays that will serve the University for many years to come.
Background
Founded in 1847, Otterbein University is a private university in Westerville, Ohio that serves about 3,000 students. It offers 74 majors and 44 minors as well as eight graduate programs. Otterbein has a rich legacy of educating generations of learners, but recently found a stumbling block that, unless corrected, could hinder its track record of excellence. The problem was that the professors and faculty would expend great effort to create visually engaging content to support and augment their lessons and lectures, but the visual technology, such as projectors and large screen displays, were falling short in a number of ways. Architecturally, Otterbein’s buildings were designed to enhance natural light features. In many classrooms and lecture halls, though, this natural light was preventing the content from being clearly visible to students. This was a mission-critical issue and one that was pervasive around campus. Not only that, the projectors and displays were outdated and becoming difficult to manage—requiring frequent helpdesk support and prone to breakdowns and costly repairs.
Enabling Educational Excellence
Willie Franklin, Senior Technology Specialist for Otterbein University, Information and Technology Services, led the effort of upgrading the visual technology across the campus to meet the evolving needs of today’s students. He took a scientific approach by requesting and setting up pilot deployments of various products and solutions from different companies to test how they functioned in the real world in terms of future-proof tech, ease-of-use, visual clarity and quality/reliability. Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America came out on top and made it through his rigorous pilot program with flying colors and was selected as the technology provider.
Working Together
Franklin worked to create a dream team comprised of experts in classroom and event support, faculty staff, facilities management professionals, technologists, architects, and local integrators, to design learning spaces that seamlessly integrate and maximize the NEC technology.
Franklin and team ended up outfitting more than 125 learning spaces with NEC projectors and displays that will serve the University for many years to come.
Budgeting for Innovation
Not only are NEC projectors and displays designed to be future-proof, in order to enable flexibility in integrating new approaches to teaching and learning, their efficiencies align with Otterbein University’s approach to conservation. Visitors will see solar panels on the roofs and electric golf carts zipping around campus. Green initiatives are part of the big picture and long-term plans for the school.
Franklin chose to integrate more LED displays which not only brought more energy savings and reliability, but also an improvement leap in image quality. He implemented laser projectors, which require little to no maintenance, and manage energy consumption much more effectively. Since installation, Franklin has calculated a notable drop in Kwh hours used and is pleased with the reduction of energy consumed across campus.
Ease of Use
No two faculty have the same teaching style, and with countless apps and programs, mobile devices and computers, professors can use during their lectures. NEC products are designed to be both extremely easy and intuitive to use, but also platform agnostic with powerful networking capabilities. This includes the ability to enable various presentation programs, collaborative video conferencing systems—which became vital during the COVID-19 shutdowns-- as well as centrally-managed, campus wide digital signage and more.
The products are so easy to use that Franklin reported an immediate and significant reduction in help desk and troubleshooting calls and requests.
At the end of the day, Franklin is extremely satisfied with the implementation. “We brought in NEC hardware to integrate visual technology into new spaces but also to replace existing, smaller and less reliable displays throughout the campus,” he said. “All things considered, the buy-in was low and the benefits were enormous.”
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.
