A throng of local leaders gather around the front entrance to Blue Ridge Community College’s new Patton Building for a ribbon cutting ceremony. (Photo credit: Blue Ridge Community College Marketing and Communications Dept.)
View the full high resolution photo gallery on Google Drive.
A new state-of-the-art learning facility opened Tuesday on the Henderson County Campus of Blue Ridge Community College. Several hundred community members gathered for the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting of the Patton Building, a $23.4M project funded by the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. The facility supports Blue Ridge’s work to create a competitive regional workforce while helping students achieve their professional and academic goals.
“Nearly fifty years ago, the founders of Blue Ridge Community College broke ground on the original Patton Building with the belief that education would change lives and communities,” said Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, President of Blue Ridge Community College. “They were right, and we continue that work today.”
“The support of our valued Henderson County Board of Commissioners, elected officials, employers, and community leaders help make Blue Ridge an innovative leader in higher education and workforce development,” she added.
The exterior view of Blue Ridge Community College’s brand-new Patton Building at the College’s Henderson County Campus. (Photo credit: Blue Ridge Community College Marketing and Communications Dept.)
The outdoor event featured remarks from Mr. John B. “Chip” Gould, Chairman of the Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees; Mr. John Mitchell, County Manager of Henderson County; Mr. William G. Lapsley, Chairman of the Henderson County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood, President of Blue Ridge Community College; and Mr. Steven D. Wyatt, Henderson County Manager Emeritus. The ribbon was cut by Chairman Lapsley as those in attendance cheered.
From the podium, Mr. Mitchell expressed his support for Henderson County’s continued investment in education.
“This building represents the most recent chapter in the partnership between Blue Ridge Community College and Henderson County, and it helps all of us,” he said. “This project is the most recent evidence of the commitment that the Board has made to the economic vitality of this community.”
“You can be assured that the taxpayers of Henderson County are proud of this institution and appreciate all that you have done for us over the past 50-plus years and will continue to do into the future,” added Chairman Lapsley.
Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura Leatherwood speaks at the grand opening of the College’s brand-new Patton Building. (Photo credit: Blue Ridge Community College Marketing and Communications Dept.)
Following the ceremony, guests explored the Patton Building’s interior, which featured modern science laboratories and classrooms; 6,200 square feet of flexible industrial space for training use by employers; the Student Success Center for tutoring and workshops; and the production-ready Steven D. Wyatt Auditorium.
Learn more about the Patton Building’s features in the June 30 announcement.