HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall University has announced it has joined Internet2®, an advanced networking consortium. Through its membership, the university’s students, faculty and staff will have access to Internet2’s premier, ultrafast nationwide network which connects close to 70,000 research and educational institutions in the U.S. and interconnects with 80 international research networks worldwide.
According to Marshall officials, participating directly in the Internet2 community and connecting to its advanced high-performance network provides the university transformative tools for learning and discovery, and supports research, education and healthcare throughout the region.
Dr. Jan I. Fox, senior vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Marshall, said that in addition to providing access to a number of significant emerging technologies not available within the limitations of previous networks, the Internet2 Network links Marshall with people, equipment and information at partner institutions around the world.
“Internet2 gives Marshall networking power that until very recently was available only to the most prestigious research institutions,” she said. “We now have access to state-of-the-art telemedicine, bioinformatics, virtual reality and visualization technologies, in addition to advanced collaboration capabilities that connect us as never before to colleagues and information across the country. Internet2 will truly revolutionize what our students and investigators can do, how they do it and who can participate.”
Fox also acknowledged Marshall staff members who spearheaded the project, including Dr. Arnold R. Miller, assistant vice president for information technology and executive director of University Computing Services; Allen Taylor, chief technology officer; and Michael Adkins, director of information technology infrastructure.
Dr. Stephen J. Kopp, president of Marshall University, said, “Through Internet2, we have a vital new tool that will allow us to help resolve global problems that require the minds and resources of a global community. Our faculty, staff and students have access to more and better information and technology, and can collaborate with partners across the barriers presented traditionally by geography, organizational structure and disciplines of study.”
Ana Preston, Internet2 executive director of member relations and communications, said, “Our community is pleased to welcome Marshall University as a member. We look forward to engaging with its faculty, staff and students on a variety of important technology initiatives that hold the promise of significantly enhancing its campus learning and research environment as well as improving its region’s access to important new telehealth applications. Marshall’s commitment to extending the benefits of advanced networking and to participating in the development of new cyberinfrastructure will be a valuable asset to our members and global partners.”
Marshall’s connection to the Internet2 Network is made possible through a partnership with OARnet, Ohio’s statewide research and education network, and Merit, Michigan’s statewide research and education network and an Internet2 Connector organization.
For more information, contact Fox at 304-696-6706 or fox@marshall.edu.