Brenda Showalter, The Republic Reporter
Students, educators, business leaders and dignitaries gathered Friday for the dedication celebration of the $25 million, 130,000-square-foot Columbus Learning Center.
Gov. Mitch Daniels praised the community’s efforts, calling it a great example of cooperation that should be emulated across the state.
“What a great, great example you have set,” he said.
The governor, speaking at the outdoor program near the CLC’s front entrance, said he uses the word “vision” sparingly, but it applied here.
He said the center represents a model of cooperation that required people to work together and create a place where education was integrated, seamless and continuous.
“All this ultimately is about the students who come here to pursue their dreams,” Daniels said.
Multifaceted center
The program celebrated years of work that began when community leaders talked about ways to improve education.
CLC began with discussions on how to expand facilities and improve technology at the local college campuses. The vision grew to include other entities that would assist the area educate students and train workers.
Located on Central Avenue between IUPU Columbus and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, CLC opened this summer to students, educators and the community.
Occupants are IUPUC, Ivy Tech, Purdue College of Technology, Center for Teaching and Learning, College and Career Exploration Center, WorkOne, South Central Workforce Development and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
The building offers the latest in technology and includes a 200-seat lecture hall, library, bookstore, classrooms, computer labs and common area.
Students might be found at the center taking classes in new degree programs, while teachers participate in special training.
Community members can receive career guidance, and job training and certification.
Long road
V. William Hunt, chairman of the center’s management corporation, said the center was completed “on time and on budget.”
Hunt noted that the center had a complex ownership and management structure and required many people to take risks to move the project forward.
Several legislators, including State Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Garton, R-Columbus, were involved in helping the project gain funding approval from the General Assembly.
“This community believes in itself,” Garton said. “This community has a way of converting dreams into reality.”
The significance of the center outside of Columbus was evident by the guests at the program.
Along with Daniels, Garton, other legislators and Mayor Fred Armstrong were Stan Jones, commissioner for Indiana’s Higher Education Commission; and Suellen Reed, state superintendent for public instruction.
“This Learning Center has meaning beyond the boundaries of Columbus,” Daniels said.
The governor said Indiana’s way back to greatness will be led by efforts like this.
“Forgive me if I talk about this often and everywhere,” Daniels added.
Hunt said the center was a monument to the education of future generations and was built with a focus on meeting community needs.
“We built it for the community, but it is a model for the state,” Hunt said.
Design architect for the project was Kevin Kennon, whose father, Paul Kennon, designed several buildings in Columbus, including Fodrea Community School.
Kennon said his job was to be an instrument to help the community realize its vision.
The project taught him how people could come together and put aside differences to accomplish goals.
The program included a ceremonial presentation of the building’s key and the raising of flags for the United States, Indiana, Columbus, IU, Purdue and Ivy Tech.
Speakers said the building might be a step toward expanding college offerings in Columbus.
City and education leaders have talked about a hope to create a regional campus at the site.
© 2005 The Republic