The Becky Babcox Business Analytics Laboratory

This state-of-the-art business analytics collaborative lab was established in 2014 in recognition of the importance of data – including “big data” – in business. The lab supports required business analytics coursework for all CoB undergraduate students. Students are taught to gather, structure, analyze, and interpret relevant data for a business problem.

Features

To provide an optimized and dynamic environment for students to gain hands-on training in all aspects of business modeling, the lab features:

• 44 student stations
• 11 collaborative stations for teams
• Faculty control stations
• Smart Boards

Each station is a computer network which allows students to view each other’s work, the professor’s materials and work done by the team. From the “control station”, faculty can view the work of each student and each team. They also have the use of two smart boards. Much of the learning occurs through doing. Students spend classes working together in a very applied and collaborative manner.

The lab was established by Mr. Rob Kepple in memory of his mother, Mary Rebecca (Becky) Babcox, the granddaughter of Akron publishing icon and University of Akron alumnus, Edward Spencer Babcox, and the daughter of Tom and Mary Babcox. The Babcox family has served Akron, Ohio, and beyond as a guiding force in the publishing industry nationally and as a champion for individual causes at home. Becky was a life-long resident of “Akron my Akron.” Her career spanned 27 years with Babcox Media, where she served as Corporate Secretary, Publisher, Vice President and Executive Team Member. She also served her beloved Akron Community by giving time and energy to Goodwill Industries of Akron, Planned Parenthood, Junior League of Akron, The Akron Garden Club and Old Trail School.

“We are grateful to Mr. Rob Kepple for supporting the development of the Becky Babcox Analytics Laboratory in our college. The lab is a state of the art facility that serves our strategic initiative of developing students who are savvy in business analytics. Faculty are better able to teach students to make data-informed decisions and work effectively in teams.”

Ravi Krovi, Ph.D.
Dean

“The lab is a nice change from a typical classroom because it allows more interaction between the instructor and students. I especially like the ability of the instructor to capture and project student files on the screen for class discussion. This is really helpful when students have questions on new or difficult materials. My students also appreciate the “pod” layout, which really helps to facilitate their interaction on case and lab assignments.”

Barbara Osyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Management