By IARA LUCHIARI
J Alumni News staff
Really, there’s nothing “common” about it.
The Bailey Lauerman Commons, at the north end of the third floor of Andersen Hall, is a special area where students and faculty gather for presentations, informal meetings, studying and just visiting.
Bailey Lauerman & Associates, a Lincoln-based marketing/communications firm, gave the College of Journalism and Mass Communica-tions $25,000 to create the commons. Tables and comfortable furnishings surround the area that looks down to the second floor, lighted by the clerestory window above.
Jim Lauerman, a partner of Bailey Lauerman, said the agency sponsored the creation of the commons as a way to help develop new talents in advertising. The College of Journalism and Mass Communica-tions produces high quality professionals who will be working in the advertising field, he said.
The closer the University of Nebraska works with Nebraska business, the more successful both institutions will become, he said. “Commu-nication plays an important role in the development of a business,” Lauerman added.
About 70 of Bailey Lauerman’s employees are graduates of the journalism college, and many employees are adjunct professors at UNL.
“We (the agency) felt the college is a cornerstone to the university,” Lauerman said.
Nancy Mitchell, advertising chairwoman, said the commons had helped the department develop a sense of community. “We’ve had classes that meet in that area, and sometimes students just sit there and relax and get to know each other,” Mitchell said.
“It’s become an integral part of our department as a gathering place.”