Wharton Lectern

Access, Control, Convenience

The Wharton Lectern brings together all of the technology capabilities of Wharton's classrooms and networked environment in a single touch-screen interface. Designed with faculty input, the patented Wharton Lectern technology has won national recognition for its innovative marriage of technology and practicality.

Located in each of the 48 classrooms in Jon M. Huntsman Hall, as well as in the classrooms of Wharton West and conference and meeting rooms throughout the Wharton campus, the award-winning lectern provides instructors with touch-screen access to computer projection, video recording, lighting, and all aspects of the classroom environment.

The Wharton Lectern provides:

  • Crestron touch-panel interface to control the classroom environment and networked computers
  • Access to a local PC as well as a port to connect laptop computers
  • "Roaming profiles" to allow faculty to instantly recall their preferred room settings from any Wharton classroom – in Philadelphia or San Francisco
  • Control of in-class audio-visual equipment, including in-room video cameras and videoconferencing system
  • Video recording of classes automatically posted to the Wharton Media Network
  • Split-top frosted Plexiglass surface opens to provide access to Crestron panel or closes to create a desktop surface
  • Wings expand from 32" to 48" for additional workspace
  • Individual height adjustment
  • A cup holder (no kidding)

Technical Platform

Software:

  • Crestron custom e-Wharton interface
  • Microsoft Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Microsoft Office 2007
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional
  • Instructional applications for Wharton courses

Hardware:

  • Lectern designed by Wharton in conjunction with KI
  • Dell OptiPlex 745

Wharton Lectern Recognition

Awards
  • 2005 Sep 15: Library Journal, "Panelists' Picks"
  • 2003: BusinessWeek Magazine and Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Gold Industrial Design Excellence Award (IDEA)
  • 2003: Society for College and University Planning, Best and Brightest Idea Award
  • 2002: NeoCon, Silver Best of NeoCon award, workplace technologies category
News and Press Recognition

For More Information


"Very Cool"

"The Wharton Lectern is very cool. I like how it brings everything together under your control – it makes the technology very versatile. You can control the screens, windows, lights, temperature, and even adjust for height. And it's not just an advantage for the faculty. As students, we use them for in-class presentations and club meetings."

Sean Oliver, W'09

Everything from dimming the lights to digitally recording the class session is available through the Wharton Lectern, designed by the School in conjunction with award-winning furniture design and manufacturing firm KI.