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January 25, 2002 WKU, KCTCS, State Leaders  The $9 million, 58,152-square-foot facility houses Western Kentucky University's Glasgow Campus and programs under the authority of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The center was dedicated Friday afternoon in a ceremony that featured remarks from House Speaker Jody Richards, Sen. Richie Sanders, Rep. Stephen Nunn, WKU President Gary Ransdell, KCTCS President Michael McCall, Glasgow Mayor Charles Honeycutt and Barren County Judge-Executive Freddy Travis. The facility, built on a 30-acre site next to Barren County High School, will enhance educational access and job-training opportunities for students in Barren, Adair, Allen, Clinton, Cumberland, Metcalfe, Monroe and Russell counties. "Western is proud of its long-standing tradition of providing postsecondary services wherever there is need," Dr. Ransdell said. "Honoring this commitment has meant connecting WKU with other areas of the state in need of educational outreach. "The citizens of this region are fortunate to have representing them in Frankfort, people who share Western's devotion to ensuring accessible, quality educational opportunities to all who seek them. This Center stands as a symbol of the commitment they have made to education and to the people of this region." This semester 1,645 students are registered for classes with total course enrollments of nearly 4,300. WKU programs have 1,555 students enrolled, up 270 from last spring. Programs offered through Bowling Green Technical College's Glasgow campus have 91 students enrolled. "The South Regional Postsecondary Education Center demonstrates the seamless partnership that connects KCTCS and Western," McCall said. "This center will offer quality postsecondary education and workforce training that will change the lives of our students." Dr. Juanita Bayless, director of WKU's Glasgow campus, expects enrollment growth and program enhancements to continue. "As our student body grows and as our region grows, we'll evolve our programs as additional needs are identified for the students that attend here," she said. WKU’s extended campus in Glasgow was established in January 1988 at 213 S. Liberty St. Western's courses include associate degrees in nursing, information systems, office systems technology, general studies, business technology; bachelor's degree in general studies along with majority of classes for elementary education; and master's level courses in interdisciplinary administration and school counseling. Technical courses offered by the Bowling Green Technical College include an industrial maintenance technology program along with classes in information technology, automated systems technology, HVAC, welding and computer aided drafting. "As we become more visible in the community and in the eight-county region that we serve, we feel like the technical programs will continue to grow," said Sandra Appling, the technical college's campus director for technology. Construction began in April 2000 and was completed in November 2001. Classes for the spring 2002 semester began this month. The center includes 36 classrooms along with labs for science, nursing and technical courses. The two-story facility also includes space for administrative offices, a library, bookstore and a multipurpose room. Nolan and Nolan of Louisville served as architect for the project, while Alliance Corporation of Glasgow was the contractor. Among the groups making donations for the facility are the Business and Professional Woman's Club of Glasgow, National Health Care of Glasgow, T.J. Samson Community Hospital and R.R. Donnelley and Sons. "We've had so much support from students, faculty, staff, administrators and community leaders," Appling said. "Dr. Bayless and I feel really good about what we're doing here." South Regional Postsecondary Education Center At A Glance
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Copyright 2001 Western Kentucky University
1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576 (270) 745-0111. western@wku.edu. Best viewed at 800 x 600 resolution |
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