Tabatha Fields
The Corsair
Despite a gray cast of clouds, and rain that soon followed, the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tour of the new Pensacola State College center in Century, Fla., was a success.
Students, mayors of the community, clergy members, staff, board members, and excited citizens of the community eagerly waited to partake in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility.
Frances Duncan, PSC Dean of the Warrington Campus, started the program by introducing the Northview High School NJROTC Color Guard with direction of Charlie C. Code. Next, the Pledge of Allegiance was led by a Century Center student, Tonya Watson.
Paula Jernigan, director of the Century Center, welcomed every one to the ceremony and introduced the special guests that were in the audience. “I joined the Pensacola State College family January 2012, and on Jan. 6, 2013 we begin our first semester as one of the newest branches of the college,” noted Jernigan.
An undoubtedly strong energy exuded from the audience as each speaker spoke about how much of an opportunity the center will give students who have a desire to continue their education.
Dr. Ed Meadows, president of PSC, approached the podium expressing his congratulatory remarks about the opening of the new center.
“We have an obligation to serve our service area of Santa Rosa and Escambia County, and we don’t want to neglect any part of that because one of the corner stones of our mission is access. Through access we provide opportunities for our students at a low cost, but very high quality,” expressed Meadows.
The board of trustees is working to ensure the quality education needed for PSC students to advance their career.
The college has provided adult basic education in Century for many years.
The town of Century approached the college to open the center to help provide educational services to the community; so, through that approach, the Pensacola State Center was born.
Herbert Woll, Vice Chair of the District Board of Trustees said, “If we work together, I believe that this center will become not only a center, but a campus as well. And that’s certainly the wish for the board of trustees, and hopefully working together with you all we can make that happen.”
The center offers the following programs: Vocational college preparatory classes, college credit courses, and adult basic educational classes. There have been two nursing assistant graduation ceremonies since the center has opened.
“We may not be here 20 years from now. We may have a brand new facility, who knows,” said Meadows.