ESCC looks forward, honors past, at ribbon cutting
Published: 2009-09-16MELFA -- The community officially inaugurated Eastern Shore Community College's new $7.2 million Business Development and Workforce Training Center on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by over 100 people, including several who played key roles in its establishment.
The sun broke through an overcast sky just as dignitaries cut a blue and white ribbon stretched across the front of the building, in what longtime guidance counselor and Dean of Student Services Bryan Smith said was an appropriate symbol of the new center's promise for the community.
College President Linda Thomas-Glover acknowledged key contributors to the college's progress over the years, including Virginia Secretary of Agriculture Robert S. Bloxom, the former state delegate who in the 1970s was instrumental in bringing a community college to Virginia's Eastern Shore.
Glover also recognized the college's three past presidents seated on the dais -- John Fiege, Richard Jenkins and Cheryl Thompson-Stacy -- all of whose vision and efforts ultimately contributed to the unveiling of its newest building.
Among speakers at the ceremony was Delegate Lynwood Lewis, who said he counted his past service on ESCC's board his most enjoyable public service experienced before becoming the Shore's representative in the state House of Delegates.
"The greatest resource we have is our citizens," said Lewis, adding, "This facility shows a commitment to investing in them."
Lewis said the use of the new center already for several community events, even before its formal dedication, shows "the hunger and thirst of our community" for this type of facility.
State Sen. Ralph Northam recognized Bloxom and also former Sen. Bill Fears for their work in the 1970s to get funding to establish a community college in the region.
Northam said one of his and Lewis' primary goals as elected representatives of the Shore is access to quality education, adding, "There is no better way to be competitive in this state and in this country and in this world than to get a good education."
Daniel LeBlanc, senior advisor to Gov. Tim Kaine for workforce, thanked local and state officials on behalf of the governor for their help in getting the new center built and cited Diane Ginsberg's photographs in the building's atrium, representing different Eastern Shore industries, saying they show "hands that are driven by trained and educated minds to build this community up."
LeBlanc said the new center represents "so much opportunity to do the right thing for the people of the Eastern Shore."
Barbara Johnsen, Eastern Shore Community College Foundation President and a member of the State Board for Community Colleges, called the college "a hub" of the community and described the new building as a social and cultural as well as educational center.
A major capital campaign initiated last year and headed up by Johnsen helped raise enough money to bring about the building's completion.
Eastern Shore Community College Board Chairman Lloyd Kellam thanked the college's dedicated employees for their work and VCCS Chancellor Glenn DuBois for the state system's support, especially in the search for a new college president which took place earlier this year.
DuBois said a listing in the program of the many individuals and organizations that contributed to make the new center a reality is a reminder of what Virginia's community college system is about.
"What we really do is we serve as a place where the community can come together...and move us all forward," he said.
DuBois said one of the state community college system's main goals for the next six years is to increase the number of businesses helped by their local community colleges.
"I'd say this college is off to a great start helping us reach that goal," he said.
The state contributed $4.7 million toward the center, along with $602,000 given by Accomack and Northampton counties.
Other funding included $1.1 million from the U. S. Economic Development Administration, $500,000 from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, $275,000 from the ESCC Foundation and $110,000 from the Eastern Shore Regional Partnership.
The college's workforce development services division last year provided training to 3,508 people and 70 businesses, totaling over 36,000 hours.
The new center will help the college accommodate its current programs and expand offerings in areas including information technology, industrial technologies, nursing, customer service and self-enrichment classes.
Its facilities also will be available for rent by local businesses for large meetings, exhibits or social functions and for social events of individuals and civic groups.
The 21,000-square-foot building includes classrooms, office space, computer labs, an applied health lab and an industrial training lab, along with a formal conference room and the 1,975-square-foot Great Hall, which has its own warming kitchen for large events.