WCC officials dedicate newest campus addition
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on November 16, 2005 1:48 PM
Wayne Community College officials dedicated the school's new Walnut Building on Tuesday during a ceremony in its lobby.
The Walnut Building houses the college's Continuing Education and Workforce Preparedness Division and contains a 54-seat lecture hall and 40-seat boardroom that can be used by the community.
Rain drove the small crowd that had gathered for the dedication ceremony inside, but college President Ed Wilson said he has heard that is a sign of good luck for building dedications. He said the college is in the middle of a major growth phase.
"With this facility, we have completed two buildings and several expansion and improvement projects," Wilson said. "We are currently working on one more building, the Spruce Business and Technology Building that we started just a couple of weeks ago on the back side of the campus."
Wilson said that in a few days the college will begin shifting some offices around and renovating several areas to better serve students.
Tommy Jarrett, chairman of the college's Board of Trustees, invited attendees to come back and see what the college is doing in the coming years.
"None of this would be possible without the support of the people of this county," Jarrett said. "As trustees, we guide these projects, but you gave us the materials, and most importantly, your faith in the mission of this college by approving the 2000 higher education bonds."
The Walnut Building, the second new building funded by the sale of the bonds, houses the dreams of many local people, said Roy White, the college's vice president for Continuing Education and Workforce Preparedness.
"We're here to answer the questions of people about education and training," he said during the tour.
"In here comes a new spirit, a new energy about delivering workforce preparedness. We're going to do it, too." White said on the first two Saturdays in December, the college will host a free seminar in the lecture hall that will answer questions such as "What kind of computer should I buy for my kid going to college" and "What should I buy for myself at home?"
Offices and meeting rooms are located downstairs in the building, with classrooms and computer labs upstairs. Students can use the building's learning labs at any time of the day. The teaching and learning center upstairs is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
The building's many windows give it a feeling of spaciousness.
"It's open and roomy," Ms. Berry said.