Buffalo State invites community into new Brainstorming Room

Founded by creative thinking pioneers Alex F. Osborn and Sidney J. Parnes more than half a century ago, the Center for Applied Imagination at Buffalo State stands as the first educational institution in the world to offer graduate-level courses, a master of science in creativity studies, and—beginning in fall 2026—a doctor of professional studies in creativity and change leadership. The Alex F. Osborn Brainstorming Room, located in the university’s E.H. Butler Library, is a recent addition that will facilitate interaction and engagement between Buffalo State and community organizations and businesses, allowing these groups to benefit from what the Center has been teaching for decades. 

“The Alex F. Osborn Brainstorming Room builds on the Center for Applied Imagination’s more than 50-year legacy as a global leader in creative education, rooted in Alex Osborn’s invention of brainstorming itself, by offering a purpose-built space for deliberate creative thinking,” said Gerard Puccio, chair of the Creativity and Change Leadership Department. “I’m excited about its future as an open, community-facing hub where local organizations can experience the power of creative collaboration to tackle complex challenges and imagine what’s possible—together.” 

Earlier this year, Modern Disposal Services’ leadership team was the first group to utilize the Brainstorming Room for a creative leadership thinking session led by Tim Switalski, founder and president of Darwin Associates, who earned his master of science in creativity and change leadership from Buffalo State and previously served as the university’s Director of Leadership Development. 

Switalski said this session is part of a larger effort to grow and develop Modern’s Senior Leadership Team (SLT) so it can move Modern toward the realization of its new mission and vision, as well as help employees live by defined core values. 

“The CEO and the company owners agree that focusing on the growth and development of the SLT is well worth the investment, and I was honored to be asked to facilitate,” Switalski said. “The opportunity to hold our off-site session in the newly designed Innovation Suite in Butler Library seemed like an ideal environment for focusing on the team’s continued development in its efforts to creatively manage the changes that Modern faces on a regular basis. I’m delighted to be drawing on what I’ve learned throughout my career and utilize this knowledge and experience to help a large, locally owned company recognize the need for change and understand the importance of applied imagination to achieve your goals and realize your vision.”

“Tim has a rare gift,” said Modern CEO Derek Veenhof. “Just when you think you’ve stretched your imagination to its fullest potential, he helps you look at a challenge through a creative lens and make the outcome even better. The work we’ve done with him has made us stronger as individuals and as a company.”

During the session, Modern employees were divided into small groups that were reconfigured throughout the day and participated in multiple activities designed to prompt creative thinking and problem solving. Switalski said that Modern’s team members enjoyed many of the features designed to support the tools and techniques of creative problem solving, such as the ability to write on the walls and tabletops and appreciated the opportunity to learn about the history of creativity education at Buffalo State.

“I believe that all organizations can benefit by encouraging its leaders to think more creatively, behave more collaboratively, and ensure that they are aligned in their efforts to meet the goals of their organizations,” Switalski said. “Returning to the place where I learned this was a special gift.”

In keeping with donor wishes, the Alex F. Osborn Brainstorming Room is reserved exclusively for meetings and activities that align with its mission and vision, and use of the space is available by reservation through Events Management at Buffalo State by calling 716-878-6114, emailing eventmgt@buffalostate.edu, or visiting the Events Management website for availability and scheduling guidelines.

About the Alex F. Osborn Brainstorming Room
This flexible, purpose-built space designed to support collaborative thinking, innovation, and creative problem solving through the intentional use of proven creativity methods. Serving as a learning laboratory within the E. H. Butler Library, the room brings together students, faculty, staff, and community partners to generate ideas, develop solutions, and advance new knowledge in an environment designed for imaginative work. Reflecting Buffalo State University’s pioneering legacy as the birthplace of the global creativity movement, the space supports creative problem-solving sessions, workshops, facilitated engagement, project-based collaboration, and meetings based on creative collaboration.