Lumen Donates Buildings for UL-Monroe Innovation Campus

The telecommunications company Lumen Technologies donated two empty office buildings this month to the University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM), which will convert them into a medical clinic and mixed-use commercial facility.

According to a news release touting the donation as the largest in the university's history, Lumen chose to donate the unused buildings, totaling over 800,000 square feet, as a result of its shift to remote or hybrid work. The news release said the property will be renamed the Clarke M. Williams Innovation Campus, after the founder of the company, and suggested it would facilitate collaborations between the university and the company.

"Hybrid work is the future. Lumen is embracing this work model for employee wellness and flexibility," Lumen CFO Chris Stansbury said in a public statement. "We continue to be committed to the hundreds of Lumen employees in the Monroe area, and we're so excited to partner with ULM on investing in the future of this vibrant community."

The donation was formally announced during a June 27 press conference in what was formerly known as the Lumen Technologies Center for Excellence, and finalized July 1. According to the news release, in addition to the donated space, Lumen will also lease back around 52,000 square feet of office space from the university for in-person events and meetings.

In a public statement, ULM President Ron Berry said the significance of the donation to the university was "indescribable."

"Lumen's impact on our region and university has been remarkable since its humble beginnings in northeast Louisiana ... ULM looks forward to leveraging this historic gift to continue Lumen's legacy while creating life-changing opportunities for our region," he said. "Lumen is well known for their innovative solutions to some of society's biggest technological challenges. ULM is honored to use this campus to keep the spirit of innovation and advancement alive for generations to come."