The Bronx Enters a New Era of Multimedia Production:
Lehman College Dedicates $16 Million Multimedia Center and Lehman Studios

Lehman College dedicated its $16 million, state-of-the-art Multimedia Center on April 23, 2010 with a ceremony attended by Lehman and CUNY officials, representatives of major firms and funding agencies, and Deputy Bronx Borough President Aurelia Greene. The most advanced academic facility of its kind in the region, the Center is viewed as a major asset both for the College and the Bronx community.

"Technology is a big part of our daily routine, and it is essential for our students to have access to an advanced facility such as this new and modern Multimedia Center," said Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz, Jr. in a statement. "Inside these facilities, our borough's future journalists, audiovisual creators and digital media producers will develop the skills required to become leaders in these fields."

The Center and its component Lehman Studios also offer a competitive alternative within New York City for both the production of programs and post-production work—providing a new home for filmmakers, digital artists, producers, and musicians who need access to a twenty-first-century facility, conveniently located in the Bronx.

"We all know the movie The Bronx Tale," Lehman President Dr. Ricardo R. Fernández told the audience. "Over the coming years, this Center will see the creation of hundreds, even thousands, of Bronx tales, woven in this magnificent facility and inspired by the creativity of the Lehman community."

"The new Multimedia Center and studios are wonderful additions to our already great Lehman College," said Deputy Borough President Greene. "I am very proud of celebrating with the administration and the students the dedication of these new facilities, which will help enormously in the promotion and development of our future generation of media professionals."

The dedication featured a series of musical interludes that included a performance of Debussy's Reflets dans l'eau by Lehman Prof. Molly Morkoski, a critically acclaimed pianist who played on the studio's Steinway Studio Grand. Later, Grammy Award-nominated violinist Philippe Quint performed The Red Violin Caprices by Oscar-winning composer—and Lehman Distinguished Professor of Music—John Corigliano. Quint was then joined by Michael Bacon in a performance of an original composition titled Distraction Blues.

Also addressing the audience were CUNY Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Allan H. Dobrin; CUNY Vice Chancellor for Facilities Planning, Construction and Management Iris Weinshall; Lehman Associate Provost Dr. Robert Whittaker; and the Center's executive director, Jerry Barnard. President Fernández, Executive Vice Chancellor Dobrin, and Provost Papazian concluded the dedication by presenting the Center's new 8" x 16" brushed-aluminum plaque, which commemorates the celebration.