Southwestern University is thrilled to introduce the Professor John Score II Learning Commons, another powerful resource that Pirates will be able to take advantage of during their collegiate journeys.

Located on the first floor of the A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center, the Professor John Score II Learning Commons is now home to the existing Debby Ellis Writing Center as well as the University’s newly-created Tutoring Center.

“The Professor John Score II Learning Commons will, in many ways, have the spirit of a one-stop shop,” Director of the Professor John Score II Learning Commons Maurice Wilson said. “Combined with the efforts of the Student Success Center in Prothro, students will more readily and more easily be able to access services that will really benefit their success, not just academically, but in their personal and professional journeys as well.”

Using a similar learning model as the Writing Center, the Learning Commons will provide students with a space to find the individualized and focused support and attention they need to be successful in their coursework and beyond. Learning Commons services will be available by appointment and on a walk-in basis. With the creation of the Tutoring Center, the physical location of subject tutoring and administration is now centralized.

“Research supports the proven idea that students who utilize support services, like writing, tutoring, and learning centers, are far more successful in their academic journeys than their peers who do not,” Wilson said. “Those students tend to be at an advantage and find more success. They are able to navigate their college experience with less angst.”

With the launch of the new space, Southwestern is excited to introduce recent graduate Laurel Mulkey ’24 as the new Coordinator of the Professor John Score II Learning Commons. During her time at SU, Mulkey served in various leadership capacities at the Writing Center, including as the iCorps-funded Special Projects Coordinator and as the Assistant Director. She will be responsible for the day-to-day administrative and training support for both the Writing Center and the Tutoring Center, allowing Wilson to expand programming, outreach, and faculty support efforts. In addition to Wilson and Mulkey, the Learning Commons employs several trained tutors and writing consultants.

In year one, Learning Commons staff are focused on centralized tutoring and administration, in addition to continuing to provide the same great level of service that the Writing Center has come to be known for. Under the Learning Commons model, the space has the flexibility to expand over time to house even more resources to meet the needs of students.

“The Learning Commons will be a space that is very inviting, inclusive, and supportive, in many of the same ways that the Writing Center has become over time,” Wilson said. “I see this becoming a place where students can not only come in and get help with specific needs, but also just grab a cup of coffee and unwind in a space that is conducive for reflection and conversation.”

The launch of the Learning Commons and the Tutoring Center comes after years of research and preparation by a University work group tasked with enhancing Southwestern’s tutoring services. The Learning Commons model was adopted and eventually became a reality thanks to a major financial contribution by an anonymous donor.

“When I was informed that there was a donor that was so generous and gracious with their support, I was beyond excited,” Wilson said. “It really demonstrates just how powerful and impactful the research by the tutoring work group was that someone thought, ‘I should support that, because it is a fantastic idea.’”

While remaining anonymous, the donors requested that the Learning Commons be named after former Southwestern Professor John N. R. Score II ’45. The son of former Southwestern President John Nelson Russel Score, Dr. Score II began teaching at SU in 1948 and joined the permanent faculty in 1955. He taught in the Department of Religion and Philosophy for over 40 years. Upon his passing in 1995, he left his entire estate of over $1 million to the University.

Through the generous contribution, renovations were made to the first floor of the Library Center to accommodate the Learning Commons. Several classrooms that were being used for storage and other miscellaneous needs were converted into the dynamic Learning Commons space, which now includes a multipurpose room for small group instruction, a lounge space, offices, and a renovated classroom that will be used for tutoring outside of normal class hours.

The renovation began just after the Spring 2024 semester concluded and was complete prior to the start of the Fall 2024 semester. With the doors open and services available, Wilson is excited to welcome in students and write the first chapter of this new resource.

“Southwestern is a place that greatly appreciates the importance of providing services for students that enhance their overall journey as academics and emerging scholars. We are very special in that regard,” Wilson said. “The writing, tutoring, and other types of individualized and group support that we will offer in the coming years are necessary to improve retention, confidence, and the overall well-being of students on campus – mentally, emotionally, and academically.”