FORT MITCHELL, KY (June 11, 2003) - Gateway Community and Technical College
celebrated its future today and broke ground at its newest campus in Boone County.
Before releasing 24 white doves during the ceremonial digging, Gateway President and CEO G. Edward Hughes said, “As I mentioned during my inauguration, Gateway is ‘Daring to Soar’ in this region. The doves are symbolic of our soaring aspirations and the digging represents our commitment to building a foundation for our communities’ future.”
Community members, Kentucky state legislators, college faculty, staff and students attended the ceremony today at the future Boone Campus site off Mt. Zion Road.
“This, without a doubt, is one of the most progressive regions in the state, and you have set an example for the rest of the Commonwealth by placing a top priority on economic development and education,” said Michael B. McCall, president of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).
The Boone Campus land was purchased in 2001 from Jim and Thelma Davis, who were unable to attend the ceremony but sent their grandson Christopher Popper to represent them. “My grandparents spent the better part of their lives working that farm to proved a better life for their family. My grandfather had many offers for the property over the years, but never entertained the thought of letting it go.
“When Gateway contacted my grandfather about purchasing the property, he was intrigued with the thought of a college on his property. It was a difficult decision to let it go, but my grandparents are grateful that the property will be used to build a campus that students can use to make a better life for their families. I hope that someday your students look back at their time at Gateway with the same fond memories as we do with the farm,” said Popper.
This 31,000-square-foot facility will be Gateway’s initial building of a projected 400,000-square-foot campus complex. The 2000 Kentucky General Assembly appropriated the $10 million funding. In 2001, 41 acres in the northeast quadrant of the Mt. Zion Road was purchased from the Davis family.
Generous support of the college by William P. Butler, chairman and CEO of Corporex Companies, Inc., who donated 6.4 acres of land, and Bill Toebben of The Toebben Companies, who donated 1.7 acres of land and road infrastructure, increased the size and offered greater accessibility to the campus.
Expected to open in August 2004, the initial Boone Campus building will primarily house the college’s Business and Industry Services Division and technical programs that support the needs of the manufacturing industries in the area. When completed, the Boone Campus will accommodate approximately 5,000 students with transfer and technical education programs.
Gateway Community and Technical College offers educational opportunities to
approximately 2500 students in 28 program areas and includes three campuses
in Covington, Edgewood and Highland Heights. The Boone campus off Mount Zion
Road will be under construction soon. Students earn associate degrees, diplomas
and certificates at the two-year college that is fully accredited by the Council
on Occupational Education. Gateway Community and Technical College has partnered
with more than 120 local businesses to serve more than 3,000 students in customized
short-term training in the last 12 months. For more information, visit www.gateway.kctcs.edu
<http://www.gateway.kctcs.edu>.
Gateway Community and Technical College is part of the Kentucky Community and
Technical College System. KCTCS serves the Commonwealth through 16 community
and technical college districts that form a seamless system of 62 campuses open
or under construction. KCTCS colleges change lives by providing accessible and
affordable education and training through academic and technical associate degrees;
diploma and certificate programs in occupational fields; pre-baccalaureate education;
adult, continuing and developmental education; customized training for business
and industry; and distance learning. For more information, visit www.kctcs.edu
<http://www.kctcs.edu>.