BC’s Delano Campus commemorated its new Learning Resource Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house on Sept. 19. Faculty, staff and community leaders who have been instrumental in campus growth were in attendance.

The occasion was marked with enthusiasm as Delano area students having accessible education has been a vision for many.

According to Brian Rodriguez of Delano Rural Initiatives, the new center will permit enrollment of one thousand additional students. There are also additional plans which include on-site mental health specialists.

BC’s newly appointed acting president Steve Watkin spoke at the event. He hopes the new building will be a place the community can gather and sees campus growth as a beacon of hope and a symbol of progress.

KCCD Interim Chancellor Tom Burke spoke as witness to the importance of accessible education. He explained to attendees how he sees the changing footprint of the rural outreach.

Former BC student and current KCCD president Romeo Agbalog told the group how the new LRC isn’t just a building, it represents an idea that he and others have envisioned for years.

This concept was reiterated by politician and former Delano resident Rudy Salas who was also on hand to speak. He reminded the audience of how new programs are changing people’s lives as the seeds of their future are planted.

Representing students at the ceremony was BCSGA president Cindy Miranda.

The LRC has already had a positive impact. According to campus librarian Elisabeth Sundby, students steadily use the center for a variety of reasons.

After the event, staff were on hand guiding detailed tours of the facility during an open house.