THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240214
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSIE STOUGHTON, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
JUBILATION FILLED the air at last week's celebration of a dream-come-true: A modern, spacious campus for Paul D. Camp Community College.
Threatening skies had cleared, allowing the ceremony to be held outside as planned, at the Oliver K. Hobbs Campus on Kenyon Road. A brisk wind swirled, rearranging hair-dos and playing havoc with the sound system.
``This is a happy day for a lot of people,'' said former Gov. Mills E. Godwin, the keynote speaker. ``It's a great day to be alive in the commonwealth.''
The $3.5 million facility - the first of three wings college officials hope to build - opened for classes last January. The college had coped with cramped quarters in a leased facility on Pinner Street for more than a decade.
``Having toured the old facility several times, you did not get this too soon,'' said Sen. Richard J. Holland, D-Windsor.
About 600 students take classes at the Suffolk branch of the Franklin-based college. Enrollment is expected to soar now that the Hobbs Campus is open.
The 34,000-square-foot facility has a dozen classrooms, a modern science laboratory and library, administration and faculty offices, a counseling area and a student lounge.
Godwin, twice governor of Virginia, is known as ``the Father of the Community College System'' because, in 1966 during his first administration, he pushed through legislation setting up the system, said Robert M. Hayes, past chairman of the Paul D. Camp board who introduced the speaker.
A quarter of a million people are enrolled in community colleges across the state today, Godwin said. Thomas Jefferson, who failed to win approval of a system of public education for all Virginia's children, wanted to establish a network of junior colleges across the state - one within a day's journey from each student's home, he said.
``We like to think we have a community college within one hour's travel,'' said Godwin, who received a standing ovation.
The crowd also stood for Oliver K. Hobbs, retired Suffolk businessman who donated the 25 acres for the campus.
``Back in the '60s, when Gov. Godwin was laying the foundation for the community college system we have now, I wholeheartedly supported him,'' Hobbs said.
But he could only offer moral support, he said, until years later after he had achieved financial success in his business ventures.
``I think I've been honored much more than I deserve, but I appreciate it and I thank you very much,'' Hobbs said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
The sun came out in time for the dedication of the new Oliver K.
Hobbs Campus.
Retired businessman Oliver K. Hobbs, who donated the 25 acres for
the campus, was demure in accepting a standing ovation for his
generosity.
The $3.5 million Paul D. Camp Community College facility - the first
of three wings - opened for classes last January.
by CNB