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Center of Higher Education opens
(by Andrea Cordle, Southwest Editor - August 19, 2010)
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| Messenger photo by Andrea Cordle |
| The cougar from Columbus State and the rocket from The University of Toledo greet each other and guests at the grand opening of the Center of Higher Education located in the South-Western Career Academy. |
The Center for Higher Education in Grove City is ready for fall quarter.
"This is the start of a new era for our community," said Grove City Mayor Richard "Ike" Stage during the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony held on Aug. 17.
Ashland University, Columbus State Community College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Otterbein University, The University of Toledo and the South-Western City Schools Adult Basic Education Program will share education space at the South-Western Career Academy.
"It's a one-stop-shop education," said Stage.
The mayor said the Center for Higher Education has been in the works since January 2008. The shared learning space was modeled after a similar, successful program at Lorain Community College in Lorain, Ohio.
In January 2009, the city conducted a survey and found 91 percent of those surveyed said they support a center of learning in Grove City. Nearly half of the survey participants said they would consider enrolling.
City leaders believe the Center for Higher Education will give the area an economic boost and create jobs. The shared campus will bring on professors and support staff. It is estimated the college would serve 700 students in its first year and potentially 3,000 students in 10 years.
The colleges offer associate, bachelor and graduate programs.
"I am humbled to have these schools in Grove City," said Stage.
Representatives from each school were on hand for an education fair following the ribbon cutting ceremony. Each school's spokesperson said they were excited about this new partnership. Grove City Council, members of the South-Western City Schools Board of Education, U.S Representative Mary Jo Kilroy, State Senator Jim Hughes and State Representative Cheryl Grossman also attended the ceremony.
South-Western City Schools Superintendent Bill Wise said the district is excited about being a part in this city endeavor.
"This has been a unique opportunity to see this vision come to life," said Wise.
The district collaborated with the city to get classes started. The Career Academy is a temporary home for the Center of Higher Education.
Stage said the city would continue to work on finding a permanent home in Grove City for the center.
For additional information on the Center of Higher Education, visit www.GroveCityHigherEd.com or call 1-877-572- 4759.
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