‘Next age of innovation’

Adapted from remarks offered by University of Dayton President Eric F. Spina during the Sept. 26 groundbreaking for Think Dayton, the first building to be constructed at onMain: Dayton’s Innovation District.

Thanks to all of you for being here for this celebration of innovation in Dayton. 

We are standing on a site, in a city, awash with the echoes of history. 

And this historical foundation on which the Think Dayton building will literally and figuratively be constructed is a mere precursor to what will happen here over the next 10, 50, 100 and more years — where innovation will be driven through radically selfless collaboration among academia, government, private industry, and brilliant and driven individuals. 

Its location is intentional, along the Stewart Street corridor with the bridge over our Great Miami River connecting West and East Dayton with downtown to provide opportunities for our entire community. 

Cutting-edge research here will attract the brightest minds to support the digital transformation of the United States Air Force while attracting new and developing businesses along with those that have long been partners at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Our own remarkable University of Dayton Research Institute will amplify innovative solutions. A focus on education and workforce development will ensure hands-on learning opportunities for students, ranging from working professionals to our University of Dayton students and students from other higher-ed institutions, all the way to local high school students. 

This building and the collaborative efforts of our community will ensure a diverse and highly skilled workforce will be ready to lead us into the next age of innovation. 

This site and this project are key to the advancement of the Dayton region and our nation, and as president of the University of Dayton, I know it is central to our own future as a university and our connections in the region and across the country.

I am deeply grateful to all who share the vision for this place, to all who can see the future and understand that innovation around the application of digital technologies and digital transformation will provide high-paying jobs to our region and enhance our national competitiveness as a place where the best work gets done by the best workers.

Special thanks to U.S. Sen. Jon Husted ’89, who was an early champion and pushed appropriately and who saw in this barren 38 acres the possibility of an incredibly bright future. Senator Husted has been a tireless and enthusiastic supporter of this effort from day one.

Our fabulous governor, our steadfast Ohio General Assembly delegation, our helpful city and county leaders and the always-supportive U.S. Rep. Michael Turner ’92 have been essential in advancing this project. 

I want to personally thank the UD leaders who have been critical to the project. It’s my privilege and honor to stand up here, but I know — and they know — that they have done the work.

And I am deeply thankful today and every day for our long partnership with our neighbor, Premier Health. From the very start, Premier’s leaders have shared with us a vision for this land that shines with possibility — and that today, with our ceremonial shovelfuls of dirt, transforms our collective dreams — our community dreams — into reality.