Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 15, 1993 TAG: 9305150106
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
They have been waiting for funding for the fourth academic building at the college since 1987, and talking about it even longer.
The college's $4 million economic development center is likely the only one of its type at a community college.
H. Randall Edwards, who spent 12 years as president of the college, first began pushing for the New River Valley Regional Development Center.
So at the 11 a.m. ceremony, school officials announced they were naming it after Edwards, now executive vice president for administration at George Mason University in Fairfax County.
"I knew something was up when I saw my two sons in the audience - in suits," Edwards said when the announcement was made. "Today's honor reinforces my connection to the New River Valley."
The college is receiving most of the money for the building from a statewide bond issue passed by the voters in November.
"This is one of the most exciting days in the history of New River Community College," said President Edwin Barnes. "We're dedicating a building that promises to serve some very critical economic development needs in the region."
Since its beginnings, New River has had economic development as part of its mission, Barnes said.
"This rounds out our capabilities to be responsive to development needs in the region."
Ron Chaffin, head of continuing education at the college, will have his offices in the new building - to be called Edwards Hall. It also will house regular college classes and training classes for existing businesses and industries.
Experts have predicted that 75 percent of all workers currently employed will need retraining by the year 2000. In the New River Valley, this could amount to more than 50,000 employees.
"We're also hoping to help attract new industries to area," Chaffin said.
The two-story building will likely be equipped for electronic classrooms, where the college can receive programs by satellite or produce its own.
A report by the State Council of Higher Education earlier this year said technology will be a way to meet growing demands for college classes.
The building also will house a number of the valley's economic development offices, including the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance and the Center for Innovative Technology.
It will be an incubator for new industry, Chaffin said.
And it could have a space for adult basic education.
"If everything goes according to plan, we could be ready to go by July 1," Chaffin said.
It will take 12 to 16 months to complete the project, which sits in what Lewis Sheckler, chairman of the college board, calls New River's "Field of Dreams."
The college also announced the establishment of the New River Quality Council, which Barnes says "will draw together the valley's best continuous improvement efforts and minds" to collaborate and share resources, and to expand educational and advocacy efforts.
by CNB