After years of planning, the Allen Community College Student Center was officially unveiled to the public Wednesday afternoon in an event that drew scores of enthusiastic observers to the gleaming new facility for a ribbon cutting. ACC students, staff, and administration, as well as area civic leaders, regional media, and enthusiastic local residents crowded into the sunlit commons to hear ACC President John Masterson dedicate the new building.
This is my 26th year as president, said Masterson, and we have done some things around here that Im very proud of, but this is the best project Ive ever been involved with. It has exceeded our expectations.
Masterson continued. Ill tell you, Ive been in all 19 student centers in the community colleges across the state of Kansas and…I wouldnt trade this one for any of them.
This the first major renovation and expansion of the student center since its original construction in 1969. Conceived by the architectural firm of Spangenberg Phillips Tice and erected by a group from Lloyd Builders, this $6 million project was financed through use of the colleges capital outlay fund and reserves, and required nothing in the way of bonds, tax increases, or tuition hikes. Plus, it came in on time and under budget. But the thing that thrills me the most about this, said Masterson, betraying some emotion, is the number of times the students have told me how fantastic this is. The president sought out the faces of the young people in the crowd. Its for you, he said.
The expanded student center includes a new kitchen and cafeteria, new bookstore, two new game rooms, a new conference room, a number of new offices, four glass-enclosed study rooms, and much more.
We have a jewel here at Allen, said ACC board chairman Ken McGuffin, who addressed the crowd following Mastersons presentation, and we invite all of you to come take advantage of it.
But McGuffin had a narrower focus on the day. He spoke primarily of the centers bright new board room. On behalf of the board of trustees, said McGuffin, we unanimously voted to name our board room in honor of a special individual…. McGuffin urged fellow trustee Spencer Ambler to join him at the podium. Spencer Ambler has dedicated his life to service above self, said McGuffin, who pointed to Amblers 32 years on the board and the abundance of other service groups for which Ambler is a volunteer. Servant leadership is what Spencer has embodied and displayed throughout his life. Allen Community College has been one of the many beneficiaries of his time and talents. And it is a distinct honor that the board of trustees unanimously voted to name the new board room the Spencer Ambler Board Room. Congratulations, Spencer.
Ambler assumed the podium. He thanked McGuffin. He thanked the board. His family looked on from the front row. This kind of leaves me speechless, said Ambler, and most of you who know me know that that is almost impossible. … Thank you to the board of trustees. This is definitely an honor. I will appreciate this, and it is something I will carry for the rest of my life.
