The Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees and FTCC President Dr. Larry Keen dedicated the new General Classroom Building on Monday, Sept. 17. The General Classroom Building was built around the former Service Merchandise building with a design facing Fort Bragg Road and including a large new parking lot. The sprawling 70,000 square-foot building provides much needed additional space for the growing community college and includes 13 classrooms, 13 fac-ulty offices, two conference rooms, seven computer labs and a multipurpose room. It also houses the school’s bookstore and security offices.

The building was built around the existing struc-ture with all-new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, state-of-the-art technology for teaching and unique green-minded and resource-saving features. As an example, the building is equipped with a rainwater collection system that provides water for the toilets and urinals. The teaching tools in the classrooms and other spaces include smart boards, enhanced computers, monitors and audio-visual gear. Teachers using class-rooms in the building are required to use the technology in their courses.

FTCC Board Chair William S. Wellons Jr. explains the significance of the General Classroom Building: “The purchase of the Service Merchandise Building by the board of trustees was another important step to build and to protect the future of education and FTCC. The purchase and the renovation are great examples of how FTCC is a leader in the community and also demonstrate the foresight of establishing permanence of an educational institution for the people of Cumberland County and surrounding areas. What a great way to pres-ent yourselves to future generations. We, the trustees, FTCC administration and staff are very proud of our efforts and want to thank all of the entities and people who made this purchase and renovation for the future of education possible.”

Dr. Marye J. Jeffries, Fayetteville Technical Community College board chair (2000-2004), recalls how the funding for the General Classroom Building was available: “The passage of the $3.1 billion capital-improvement bond package in 2000 by the North Carolina General Assembly was to provide $2.5 billion to the University of North Carolina system and $600 million to the North Carolina Community College System. The funding would assist universities and community colleges with their most critical facility needs as well as prepare campuses state-wide for a population growth of about 100,000 new students. It was the largest single investment any state had made in higher education facilities.”

Mr. Charles J. Harrell, FTCC board chair (2004-2010) also offers his congratulations to the FTCC Board of Trustees and President Larry Keen for the cre-ation of a state-of the-art 70,000 square-foot General Classroom Building.

The project was funded with money from a state cap-ital-improvement bond package and from Cumberland County. FTCC received $38.4 million from the 2000 bond package, aimed at helping universities and com-munity colleges meet facility needs and prepare for increased student popula-tions. The county provided matching funds. FTCC officials said the funds allowed the school to continue upgrading existing facilities and to acquire new ones.

Fayetteville Technical Community College was established in 1961 and serves more than 34,000 students annually by providing 182 affordable vocational, technical, general education, col-lege transfer and continuing education programs to meet students’ needs and desires as well as the community.

Photo: The new General Classroom Building at FTCC was dedicated on Monday, Sept. 17.