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WKU-Owensboro Extended Campus Cuts Ribbon At New Home
Owensboro, Ky. - "It's good to be home."
With that opening statement, Western Kentucky University President Gary Ransdell greeted the 100-plus people who turned out Wednesday to help Western celebrate its new home at the Owensboro Community and Technical College at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Dr. Jackie Addington, Owensboro Community and Technical College president, extended a welcome to Western and spoke about having WKU on the OCTC campus. "Western's presence here speaks louder than words. We have a great relationship with them," she said. WKU-Owensboro classes were moved to the OCTC campus on New Hartford Road in September. Administrative offices, which had been housed in the Longfellow Center next to Owensboro High School, were relocated after space was renovated on the second floor of the Learning Resource Center. "Together we are partnering for the community," Dr. Addington said of the partnership between WKU and OCTC. Western, which has been in Owensboro since 1968, has nearly 700 students enrolled on the Owensboro extended campus. Of those, almost 100 are former OCTC students who have received their associate's degree and are working on baccalaureate or graduate degrees. WKU offers junior and senior level courses, graduate courses and Rank 1 education courses in Owensboro. Mayor Tom Watson thanked Western at the ribbon cutting for their support and role in the Owensboro community. "We all feed off the energy of collaboration," he said. Several speakers commented on the positive economic impact Western has on Owensboro and Daviess County. Dr. Ransdell said Western's move to the OCTC campus is a precursor of things to come. "The $24 million Advanced Technology Center, which will serve both Western and OCTC, will shape the future of higher education in Owensboro," he said. The center has received funding by the Kentucky General Assembly for Phase 1 and construction is anticipated to begin later this year. Dan Lanham, chairman of the WKU-Owensboro Extended Campus Advisory Council, thanked Western and Dr. Ransdell for their commitment to the Owensboro area. "Dr. Ransdell said he was going to get these things done and he did," Lanham said. The Owensboro Extended Campus is under the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach. "We are proud to spread the Western spirit through all of our extended campuses," said Dr. Don Swoboda, dean of DELO. Dr. Marilyn Brookman, executive director of the WKU-Owensboro Extended Campus, summed up the ribbon cutting remarks by saying "It's a very exciting time for WKU-Owensboro." More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you'd like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.
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