BC cuts ribbon on new in-town facility
Published 2:49 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2010
SARA KIMMEL of Cairo, instructor of the new Bainbridge College Cosmetology Program in the Technical Studies Division, and Ann Wells, director of the Bainbridge College Continuing Education Division, have a lot to smile about—15,000 square feet of new space for their respective programs. The two cut the ribbon on their new facilities at the Bainbridge Mall on Dec. 15.
To meet the expanding needs of its growing enrollment, Bainbridge College (BC) has diligently sought creative solutions for needed space. In addition to new constructions, such as the two-story Student Wellness Center and a new Technical Studies building for main campus, another solution was the renovation of the former bowling alley on Boulevard Drive at the Bainbridge Mall.
College and community leaders gathered Dec. 15 at the newly renovated 15,000-square-foot facility that houses the Continuing Education Division and the Cosmetology Program, which is part of the Technical Studies Division.
BC President Tom Wilkerson welcomed the group that included BC Ambassadors, BC Foundation members and trustees, members of the Continuing Education Division’s Advisory Board, BC faculty and staff.
He recognized dignitaries, including Regent Doreen Poitevint of the University System Board of Regents, and individuals who were involved with the construction project, including Plant Operations Director Leonard Dean, Plant Operations Director of Special Projects Larry McConnell, architects for the project, Walter Altman and Keith Barrett of Barrett and Altman in Valdosta, and Doug Young of PDC Construction of Bainbridge, the firm that did the renovations.
After brief remarks by several individuals among the 70 or more college and community members attending, Sara Kimmel of Cairo, instructor of the new BC Cosmetology Program, and Ann Wells, director of the BC Continuing Education Division, cut the ribbon.
BC Foundation Chair Bill Burke of Donalsonville, BC Foundation Executive Committee member and former Foundation Chair Dewey Robinson, Kimmell, and Wells spoke of the value of education in general to lift families from poverty and the value of Bainbridge College in particular for the residents of this region. They noted that BC is a resource for career education, such as is offered by the Cosmetology Program, and a resource for lifelong learning and the industry training available through Continuing Education.
After the ribbon cutting, those attending toured the two sections of the facility that will get into full operation with the spring semester that starts Jan. 10.