Ohio University Southern is building its future in Proctorville brick by brick and wants everyone to be a part of it.

The university's "Brick-by-Brick" fund-raiser allows alumni, the community and anyone else interested to purchase an engraved brick that will be incorporated into four walls around the new Proctorville Center's permanent sign that is scheduled to be put up in December. A walking path will be added to provide better access to the sign.

"This is the first time the community can come together to build something like this," said Stephanie Burcham, director of the Proctorville Center. "They are excited; we are excited. We wanted to create an opportunity for everyone to contribute."

The 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art Proctorville Center will be built on 19-acres of land located off State Route 775 and Irene Road that was donated to OUS by the Marshall Smith family.

Designs include 10 classrooms, a 2,000 square foot "commons" room and partitioned classrooms that could accommodate up to 400 people.

Site work is scheduled to begin in spring 2004 with the first classes to be held in 2005.

As soon as she heard about the project, Rome resident Peggy Woolcock said she knew this was something special. The senior psychology major plans to purchase three bricks.

"My mother just passed away in September, I would really like to memorialize her," she said. "I personally think this is an incredible opportunity for the Proctorville residents who have lived here to memorialize someone forever. The school and the wall will be here long after we are gone."

Though some would question why a college student would want to purchase three $100 engraved bricks, Woolcock said money was never an issue when she heard about the concept.

"I don't think you can put a price on memories and emotions and that is what you are building here," she said. "You are building a memorial for the people you love and respect."

Dr. Dan Evans, OUS dean, said the unique opportunity is just another way to allow a community that has been tremendously supportive to continue to take an active role.

"Higher education is an investment. Like any other investment it is really an investment in the future," he said. "Our future in this region is tied into how educated our workforce can be and our citizens can be. It really opens up opportunities.

"In the future, someone can take their children and grandchildren by there and say, 'I helped build this facility.'"

Each brick costs $100. The inscription can be one or two lines with each up to 13 letters or spaces. A total of 500 bricks will be sold before the cutoff date at the end of February. Nearly 150 have already been promised.

"Obviously we are not going to raise a huge amount of money but that is not really the point," Bob Smith, assistant dean for development, said. "This project will allow us to raise friends."

If the demand is great enough the university will expand its plans. "We will build the great wall of Proctorville," Smith joked.

For more information contact Stephanie Burcham at (740) 886-7655 or Bob Smith at (740) 533-4595.