Sagus to participate in efforts to establish framework for
21st century schools in South Carolina and across the United States.

For Immediate Release

Media contacts:

Meaghan Wims, (401) 274-0001 x434, mwims@duffyshanley.com
Annette Maggiacomo, (401) 274-0001 x441, amaggiacomo@duffyshanley.com

July 31, 2009 (Columbia, S.C.) – Sagus International, Inc., co-sponsored this week’s 21st Century Educational Campus Symposium, aimed at establishing a blueprint for tomorrow’s schools. 

Chicago-based Sagus assisted in the organization of the July 27-28 Symposium alongside Dr. Jim Rex, South Carolina’s Superintendent of Education. The symposium attracted some of the best minds in education, architecture, sustainable design, technology, health care and government. The discussions centered on the development of a framework for 21st century school campuses that focus on students’ total needs, prepare America’s youth to compete in the global economy, and serve dually as community centers.

In addition to Darryl Rosser, Sagus International President and CEO, Roy Koch, Sagus Vice President of Strategic Development,  and other education, civic and professional leaders from around South Carolina and from around the nation, the Symposium participants included:

• Larry Allen, Dean, Clemson University College of Health Education and Human Development 

• Amanda Burnette, Director, Turnaround Schools Initiative, South Carolina Department of Education, and former J.V. Martin Junior High School Principal, Dillon, S.C.

• U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (by remote video)

• Cheryl Garnett, U.S. Department of Education

• Michael Hall, Chief Marketing Officer, Fanning Howey architectural firm

• John Harlow, Vice President, First Citizens Bank, and Member, J.V. Martin Junior High School Improvement Council
  

• David Houle, futurist and author, The Shift Age 

• John Jay, Executive Director, Mental Health America of South Carolina

• Steve Kaye, President and CEO, eInstruction

• Robert Kobet, President, Sustainaissance International

• Avram Lothan, Principal, DeStefano & Partners architectural firm

•  Oscar Lovelace, Jr., M.D., family physician

• The Honorable Leon Lott, Sheriff, Richland County, S.C.
  

• John Nemeth, Vice President University Partnerships, Oak Ridge Associated Universities

• Natalie Vega O’Neil, Senior Specialist, Early Childhood, Save the Children 

• Dr. Jim Rex, South Carolina State Superintendent of Education

•  Richard Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education and former Governor of South Carolina

• Ray Rogers, Superintendent, Dillon, S.C., District 2

• Stephanie Seay, 2006 South Carolina Teacher of the Year

• Diane Sumpter, President, DESA, Inc., and former Member, South Carolina Board of Education (2005-2008)

• Stephen Turckes, Director of K-12 Educational Facilities Group, Perkins + Will architectural firm

• Mark Weston, National Education Strategist for Dell Inc.
  

Sagus’s involvement continues the company’s commitment to improving educational results by transforming learning environments – not just in South Carolina, but across the nation. For more than 40 years, the Sagus group of companies has supplied furniture for elementary and secondary schools across the United States.
Sagus recently received international recognition for its donation to J.V. Martin Junior High School, the rundown Dillon, S.C., school that’s become a national symbol of what’s wrong in some of America’s schools.

In May 2009, Sagus replaced all of J.V. Martin’s aged, damaged classroom and cafeteria furniture with top-of-the-line, ergonomic, environmentally-friendly Sagus furniture. Sagus’s Darryl Rosser was inspired to make this $250,000 donation after hearing the story of J.V. Martin 8th grader Ty’Sheoma Bethea. Ty’Sheoma captivated the nation with her passionate plea to President Barack Obama to improve the condition of her 113-year old school.

Sagus was the first company to respond to Ty’Sheoma’s plea.

“We recognize that our donation was just a start at transforming J.V. Martin and giving Ty’Sheoma and her classmates the school they deserve,” Darryl Rosser said. “Those kids are great, and we want to see this through. We’re pleased that we were able to assist in pulling together this Symposium and we hope to continue to be engaged in the planning and development efforts to build a brand-new J.V. Martin. The lessons we learn at J.V. Martin will shape the development of 21st century schools nationwide.”
   
Sagus and other educational leaders will use the lessons from this week’s Symposium as they plan a new J.V. Martin facility. Groundbreaking is set to begin in the summer of 2010, with a school opening planned for the fall of 2011. The new school will employ the most advanced thinking in architecture, technology, design, education and health, and will be built in a cost-effective, environmentally friendly manner. 

About Sagus International
Sagus International, Inc. is an innovative company based in Chicago that is committed to enhancing physical environments to improve the results of the organizations and people in the markets it serves. By committing all of the company’s resources to understanding the changing needs of the educational, commercial and healthcare markets, and by collaborating with partners, users, architects, designers, and thought leaders in these markets, Sagus International is transforming spaces into results-oriented environments. Sagus is especially committed to developing model 21st century schools. By improving learning environments, Sagus is boosting student learning and achievement. Its pilot program to remake two Chicago classrooms has earned praise from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (previously CEO of Chicago Public Schools), and its dramatic transformation of J.V. Martin Junior High School in South Carolina earned the company widespread acclaim. For more information, visit Sagus’s web site at www.sagusinternational.com.

Tags: Education Financing  Ergonomics  Technology  Education Architecture  Design  Educational Environment  Green Schools  Teaching Styles/Philosophies 

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