PCC Dedicates New Craig F. Goess Student Center

Not someone to tout his philanthropic activities, Craig F. Goess explains during Monday's dedication ceremony that he chose to contribute financially to PCC's new Craig F. Goess Student Center because he "felt good about it."

WINTERVILLE�It may have taken 40 years to become reality, but Pitt Community College students found out this semester that good things do, in fact, come to those who wait.

On Monday, PCC dedicated its new Craig F. Goess Student Center�a concept first proposed in 1969�with a ceremony in the building�s multipurpose room.

Named for ardent PCC supporter and Greenville businessman Craig Goess, the 33,698-square foot center provides a �one-stop� shop for students by combining key admissions and registration services under one roof. Funding for the facility, which cost a little more than $6 million, came from an educational bond referendum state voters approved in 2000 as well as a significant financial contribution from Goess.

�I did this for Pitt Community College because I felt good about it,� Goess said during Monday�s dedication. �� I�m pleased to do what I did. I�m glad I did what I did, and I feel good about it.�

Former PCC President William Fulford is credited with first proposing construction of a student center at PCC. The facility was included in a master plan for the school in 1970.

Though classroom facilities have been built on the PCC campus in the years since Fulford�s proposal, construction of a new student center didn�t begin until ground was broken for the Goess Center in November 2007. Located on Reedy Branch Road, the building opened to students on Jan. 12.

Since its opening, the center has been brimming with activity, having already hosted several Black History Month programs, a fine arts exhibit, and a women�s history forum.

�It has been long-awaited and much-needed,� said PCC President G. Dennis Massey, adding that the student center would help the college become much more connected to the community.

In addition to a multipurpose room, the Goess Center features a spacious cafeteria complete with wireless Internet access, meeting space for various student groups on campus, and an office for PCC�s Student Government Association (SGA).

During Monday�s dedication, SGA Vice President James Purrington spoke on behalf of the more than 7,100 curriculum and 6,800 continuing education students enrolled at PCC this semester when he thanked everyone who made the Goess Student Center a reality. �It�s just a wonderful thing to have a facility like this,� he said.

According to Massey, the portion of the Goess Center already constructed represents Phase I of the overall student center project. Phase II, he said, would be added on to the current structure and will house a number of services, including the campus bookstore and a student lounge.

�Student success is more than just academic,� Massey said.

03/08/2009