Officials christen new SCC academic building
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Computers are lined up on a table inside the academic classroom building at Spartanburg Community College's Cherokee County campus. The library is the centerpiece of the building. A grand opening for the facility was held Monday. (Ledger photo / JOE L. HUGHES II)

Approximately 60 people attended grand opening ceremonies Monday for the academic classroom building on the Cherokee County campus of Spartanburg Community College (SCC).

Several government officials were on hand for the ceremony, including Gaffney Mayor Henry Jolly, state Reps. Lanny Littlejohn and Dennis Moss and Cherokee County Council Chairman Hoke Parris.

"This is a special day for the county, one that we will all appreciate," Parris said. "I am amazed at how well this building was put together and equipped with the best items beneficial to education."

The three-story building, which opened for classes Sept. 17, has 10 regular classrooms, science and nursing labs, a library, faculty offices and a commons area where students can study.

The facility was built by Sossamon Construction of Gaffney.

"This facility is an important asset for the city, county and the entire state," said Moss. "The future of the students here will be bright because of the assets provided by this community. They will be able to hit the ground running with the knowledge and skills needed to help the next generation."

Spartanburg Community College President Dr. Dan Terhune told the crowd, "It took five years of careful planning and expertise by a lot of people to make the dream of the academic classroom building a reality."

"Five years ago, we talked about getting land not far off Interstate 85 with the help of Freightliner to build a building like this," Terhune said. "Now here it is and the students of this school will reap the benefits."

A total of 345 students are enrolled in general education classes at SCC's Cherokee County campus, with twothirds of them full-time students.

"This is not the beginning of the end, rather it is the start of a new beginning that we believe will be very special," said Littlejohn. "In the long run, this will help Cherokeeans live a better quality of life."

"We believe the students will enjoy a good quality of life and education on this campus," James Moss, chairman of the Cherokee County Economic Development Board, said. "And with that, who knows ... this may become the 'Little Harvard of the South.'"