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CCC's building to be ready in 2001

Offering college courses in Williams is something Coconino Community College has been doing for 10 years.

Now CCC is building a distance learning center in town to enhance the programs they offer.

"Today, marks the beginning of CCC honoring its commitment to the distance learning communities it serves," said Thomas Jordan, college president, at the ground breaking for the CCC Williams Learning Center on Friday.

Jordan said CCC is connecting Williams with Flagstaff, Sedona, Page and the Grand Canyon. He said, because of the ability to download information via a satellite link, students will also have access to other major communities and higher education facilities.

"With the new technology, we can finally meet our mission to get educational opportunities to everyone," said Dan Baertlein, CCC district governing board secretary.

Building the facility is only half of the battle, Baertlein said.

"We have to make sure the people who need it get it," he said. "If we can encourage them to walk through the door one time, I think we’ll get them."

The learning center will feature a 2,000 square-foot building, that will include a video-conferencing classroom, a 12-station multi-media computer lab and a site coordinator’s office, located at the corner of Seventh and Oak Streets just South of the football field. The architectural firm of Schneider Gadbery Shay and Partners of Scottsdale developed the design, which is similar to the design of the new CCC campus in Flagstaff. The tentative completion date for the Williams site is July 26, 2001.

The building is made possible because of a $25 million bond passed in 1997 by Coconino County voters.

Jac Heiss, superintendent of Williams Schools, said offering college classes in Williams gives students a push in the right direction.

"I think it has so much potential for our community —75-80 percent of our students never go on to complete a college degree," he said. "What I see is, as juniors and seniors, they take a college-level class and learn they can be successful."

Ken Edes, Williams mayor, who was the CCC site coordinator for the past several years, said he attended a community college.

"I needed a semester to figure out what I wanted to do," he said. "It (the community college) was less threatening.

"I’m looking forward to what this will provide to my community."

Lori Edes, Ken’s wife, took over the job as site coordinator this year.

Mike Lainoff, the dean for continuing education, said the arrangement between Williams and CCC is extensive.

"We can’t ask for a better partner," he said. "Lori Edes has boosted CCC enrollment to record levels."

Currently, CCC offers 10 courses in town, which include classes like watercolor painting and welding. Lainoff said without the support of the teachers and the community, CCC would not have survived so long.

"CCC Williams Learning Center will make this a better place to live, learn and to work," he said.

Carla Fuller, Williams High School Student Council president, said the opportunity to take classes while in high school opens doors.

"Having CCC right here in Williams will give students the opportunity to continue their education," she said.

She added not having to drive to Flagstaff to attend classes and the lower costs of community college courses are other reasons she looks forward to the opening of the CCC Williams Learning Center.


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