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| Cambridge Campus addition cause for celebration |
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| Thursday, 23 August 2007 | |
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By Jon Tatting editor.countynews@ecm-inc.com Under a trio of tents that helped stymie rainy weather, the Cambridge Campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College hosted the long-anticipated dedication ceremony for its new 34,000 square foot addition. With the theme, “A Bridge to the Future,” the Aug. 23 event featured building tours, ribbon cutting ceremony and speeches from various college leaders, elected officials from the community and representatives from the faculty and student body. Rep. Rob Eastlund, who voted for the bonding bill that secured funds for the project, said he can’t wait for the $10.4 million building — construction began in August 2005 — to be full of students on Monday, Aug. 27, when fall classes began. “Thank you for investing and believing in tomorrow’s leaders,” said ARCC student Jaime Lind, referring to a bigger picture associated with the new building. “We define our success by being a value,” added faculty member Brad Wold, quoting Albert Einstein. “This is our moment. Our desire is to become a destination of choice.” Ruth Grendahl, vice chair of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees, noted the new building creates a “striking addition to the Cambridge Campus.” Yet she emphasized the main goal is about the classroom and more educational opportunities. About the addition In the fall of 2006, the facility welcomed students to the allied health addition and the nursing lab. Now open are classroom space, computer labs, presentation rooms, a 150-capacity auditorium and multi-use rooms— available for community and other uses. The approval process concerning the addition began with MnSCU, which considered a list of capital budget requests in 2004. The Cambridge Campus project was 28 on a list of 32 projects for MnSCU. College officials credit ARCC President Patrick Johns’ relationship with legislators as Rep. Eastlund and Sen. Keith Langseth, who saw the need first-hand and pushed for more MnSCU projects to remain on the bonding bill. Governor Tim Pawlenty eventually signed the bonding bill on April 11, 2005. Special speakers Addressing the “Bridge to the Future” theme, Dr. James McCormick, chancellor of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, said the building project not only impacts students and the community, but serves as a “bridge to Minnesota, too.” Dennis Troff, chairman of the Cambridge Campus Foundation, emphasized the project would not have happened without community partnerships. And while the building can be celebrated, the bigger picture is about “passion for students,” he said. In light of bringing the capital project to fruition, Johns credited local community leaders, legislators and representatives from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. Johns further noted the college will pursue more building projects in the near future, thanks to an additional 21.5 acres of land and the realignment of the newly named Spirit River Drive. Other speakers included ARCC staff member Charlotte Lindahl; Michael Seymour, ARCC vice president for administration; Deidra Peaslee, ARCC dean of educational services; Cambridge Mayor Marlys Palmer; and Sen. Rick Olseen. |
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