Chaddock Morrow Lounge renovated to better capture OHIO's spirit, history

The Chaddock Morrow Lounge in Ohio University’s Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium has been newly renovated to better capture the spirit and history of this special place.

Thanks to the commitment of two dedicated supporters and the work of a team from across the institution, the renovation project enhanced this critical space and filled it with a sense of love and pride for Ohio University.

Named in honor of the couple Jeff Chaddock, BSC ’88, and Mark Morrow, the Chaddock Morrow Lounge was first established in the late 1990s when Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium was renovated. Located in the lower level of the building, the room was originally designed as a reception area, as well as a private meeting room and comfortable setting to host visiting dignitaries.

Recently, the couple worked with OHIO officials to renovate the room to better serve the University moving forward. 

“Jeff wanted to be very involved and hands-on with the renovation,” said Kelli Kotowski, assistant vice president, gift planning, for University Advancement. “He loves to work on renovation projects and has been very successful with them. We were fortunate that he was able to provide guidance on materials, furnishings, lighting, artwork, photographs and memorabilia for the space.”

Chaddock said that he was proud to help with the project in a direct way.

“We were hands-off in the 1997 renovation—we wrote a check and that was it,” he said. “For the 2023 renovation, we were 100% involved with leading the project, which culminated in a 10 times stronger outcome. Collaboration and planning were extraordinary!”

The project was a true team effort, as Chaddock and Morrow worked with individuals and offices from across the University, as well as with outside partners. University Planning, Facilities, Management and Safety, the Kennedy Museum of Art, Printing Services, and University Libraries were all involved with the project, along with additional partners from Chaddock’s team and local businesses and suppliers.

The renovated Chaddock Morrow Lounge now has premier works from the Kennedy Museum on display, along with artifacts from University Libraries’ Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections. Scripps College of Communication graduate student Kali Knudson, BBA ’22, MA ’24, worked with the Mahn Center and University Printing to curate, print and frame archival photos to be displayed in the room.

In addition, Chaddock purchased several images from acclaimed photographer and Ohio University Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication Pete Souza and a painting by recent OHIO graduate Amina “Amina-Toure” Kassim, MA ’20, MFA ’22, called “For the love of Attaya,” all of which are now on permanent display in the Lounge. 

“Working directly with both Pete Souza and Amina-Toure was a major highlight of the endeavor,” Chaddock said. “Both artists were very honored to have their work on permanent display.”

Today, the Chaddock Morrow Lounge conveys a sense of history, highlighting several important events that help to tell the story of the state’s oldest public university. The room also showcases the importance of higher education for Ohio University students, alumni and the region.

“The people who helped with the renovation were willing to have an open mind about how to approach this project, and this let us create this showcase that is a place of pride for the University,” Kotowski said. “It depicts a history of Ohio University in a very visual way.”

The space will be used for receptions for major events at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium and for meetings and events that allow the University to share the special space with visiting dignitaries, speakers, performers, and university guests.  

“Jeff and Mark have long been supporters of Ohio University, and we cannot thank them enough for their continued generosity,” said Lyn Redington, PhD, interim vice president of Advancement and president and CEO of The Ohio University Foundation. “The Chaddock Morrow Lounge illustrates that when we align partners and University aspirations, we are empowered to transform OHIO in endless ways.”

Chaddock, who is originally from Belpre, graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in communication systems management in 1988. He and Morrow have supported Ohio University in myriad ways over the years, including providing funding for numerous scholarships for students in the Scripps College of Communication and students from Washington County, Ohio.

Chaddock and Morrow have also provided crucial support to the Kennedy Museum of Art, the Ohio Performing Arts and Concert Series, the Pride Center, the Ohio University Press and the Mahn Center, which today houses the Jeffrey D. Chaddock Collection. They have also supported numerous programs and organizations in rural Appalachia.

Reservations for the Chaddock-Morrow Lounge may be requested at reservations@ohio.edu.