Contacts:
Sherry Glenn, Iowa State Learning Connection, (515) 471-8650
Steve Sullivan, News Service, (515) 294-3720

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University is coming to downtown Des Moines.

Iowa State's new Learning Connection is in Suite 200 of the Locust Center, 700 Locust St., and on the Des Moines skywalk. Learning Connection is a collaboration of all Iowa State colleges, Continuing Education and Communication Services and WOI Radio. The grand opening of Learning Connection will be Thursday, April 5, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony from 1:30 to 2 p.m. and an open house from 2 to 4 p.m.

Training programs, workshops, short courses and conferences will be offered at the Learning Connection. The facility also will serve as an information source about each Iowa State college, continuing education, and athletic and cultural events. WOI Radio has a studio in the facility that will provide news coverage and live broadcasts. Learning Connection has hosted Master of Business orientation meetings and a WOI Radio roundtable discussion on urban sprawl.

Learning Connection also will offer programs based on local community and business needs, said Sherry Glenn, extension education director and Learning Connection director. For example, ISU College for Seniors will offer a course on Des Moines history this spring. The course, "Des Moines: Glimpses of Its Past," will examine the history of Iowa's capital and include a walking tour of East Des Moines and presentations by local historians and newspaper reporters.

"Learning Connection will foster two-way communication between Iowa State and those who live and work in downtown Des Moines," said Glenn. "This is an opportunity for Iowa State to be more engaged in Iowa's largest urban area and together work to enhance life-long learning opportunities."

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