subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Wed, Nov 25 2009 

Published: June 09, 2009 08:30 am    print this story  

EKU dedicates new Manchester campus

Special to the Register

Terry Gray hears it nearly every day, yet never tires of it.

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to Clay County,” folks tell the director of Eastern Kentucky University’s Manchester Regional Campus.

The buzz is all about EKU’s new state-of-the-art Manchester facility, the Stivers Building, which was dedicated in formal ceremonies conducted Monday.

Speakers at the event included 25th District State Sen. Robert Stivers, an early and persistent supporter of the project for whom the facility is named; EKU President Doug Whitlock; and Dr. Charles Hickox, dean of Continuing Education and Outreach at EKU. Gov. Steve Beshear was scheduled to speak, but a family emergency precluded his visit; Chief of Staff Adam Edelen spoke on his behalf.

Stivers told a large crowd of townspeople and EKU representatives that the campus is the culmination of a long-time dream, one he shared with many others in the community and area.

“I always thought about Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech,” Stivers said. “Today I can stand before you and say, with the completion and opening of this building, that dream has come true.”

Summer classes are already under way at the $12.5 million, 48,636-square-foot facility. Since 1992, EKU’s Manchester campus had been housed in a local shopping center after the University had been offering classes at various local facilities. Nearly 9,000 students have been enrolled at the Manchester campus over the past 17 years.

“I don’t think I could be more proud to be associated with EKU and the new facility,” said Gray, who has served as director since 2003. “I think we have become a true beacon of inspiration for our entire county and region. We have many individuals who never plan on taking classes but tell me every day how many lives the facility will change. I constantly hear people tell me how proud they are to have EKU here.”

The new campus, located on US 421 a half-mile north of the Manchester interchange of the Hal Rogers Parkway, will offer “state-of-the-art classrooms,” Gray said. Each classroom will contain ceiling-mounted projectors linked to eight-foot screens along with other multimedia equipment. “Literally, everything you need to instruct is at the push of a button.”

In addition to numerous traditional lecture classrooms, the three-floor facility includes five interactive television (ITV) classrooms, 17 offices, a bookstore and a 5,200-square-foot meeting/multi-purpose space.

The addition of science laboratories enables courses not previously available. The facility also includes a 28-seat computer lab and a 26-seat resource commons.

Stivers called the new campus “our county’s crown jewel. We’ve made great progress in recent years but this, above anything else, is a life-changing event for our county.”

Whitlock noted that fall registration for the Manchester Campus is up 31 percent from a year ago. A record number of more than 100 classes are scheduled at the Manchester campus this fall.

Whitlock said the University’s ultimate goal is to help create more jobs locally “so young men and women who grow up here and study with us don’t have to leave the area to have opportunities.”

Many non-EKU students will also be utilizing the facility. Through a partnership with the Clay County Board of Education, local adult and community and workforce education programs also will take place at the campus.

“This will allow us to work with and help an even broader range of students,” Gray said.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

NOW HIRING CDL driver
Now taking applications for a CDL driver. Local delivery. Apply in person @
84 Lumber, Richmond.
No phone cal
...>MORE

Now Hiring
International Marketing
Assistant Manager
Job in bowling Green, Ky Dvlp, analyze, update & communicate month
...>MORE

Serv-Pro Now Hiring
Serv-Pro Now Hiring, full time cleaning technician. Background check & drug test. Call 859-623-0000 Mon-Fri 8-5 for an a...>MORE

Hairstylists needed for
Hairstylists needed for
Vogue Salon & Spa.
Friendly & relaxed atmosphere. Booth rent $100/wk. Call Stephanie
...>MORE

Now Hiring
Apt community in
Richmond is looking hire
Groundskeeper/Maintenance Helper (PT winter/FT summer). HVAC cert.,
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

Looking for a Great Auto Deal?
Looking to buy or sell? Check here for the Premium Auto Section. For More Information Call 859-624-6681. ...>MORE

1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. 109K miles
1996 Mercury Grand Marquis LS. 109K miles. Dark blue leather. 4.6L-V8, Michelin Tires on Aluminum Wheels, all power acce...>MORE


1972 18ft Dodge RV / Motorhome. Great used condition. Approx 52-K miles. $2,000 or best offer 606-287-2855....>MORE

See all ads

Premium Rentals

3Bd, 2ba mobile home in Waco. 16x80
3Bd, 2ba mobile home in Waco. 16x80 on own property. Very clean. $525mo; $500dep. 859-582-9153....>MORE

One bdrm, close to EKU, $350 month,
One bdrm, close to EKU, $350 month, $300 deposit. Plus utilities No pets. Avail Now. 859-621-6839...>MORE

Berea, I-75 Bearumont 3bdr, 2.5 ba
Berea I-75,Beaumont.713 Candlewood.3 Level, porch,3Br, 2.5Ba., Balcony,W/DExtra Lg. Gar,Storage, Free Garbage Serv.
...>MORE

See all ads

Deal of the Day

Everything from A-Z!!!
Need to sell your bedroom suite, washer and dryer, or even selling an animal? Call Mayme or Melissa at 859-624-6681 to p...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index