Westmoreland County Community College Cuts Ribbon for New Science Innovation Center

September 28, 2018 Youngwood, Pa.

Westmoreland County Community College held a ribbon cutting ceremony September 28 to celebrate its new Science Innovation Center at the Youngwood campus.

The 18,500-square-foot center is an expansion of Science Hall which brings together all of the college’s science programs. Biology, microbiology and anatomy classes moved from Founders Hall to the new center, which features new classrooms that integrate lectures and labs together.

“Our faculty have embraced this new combination of lecture and lab.  They are rethinking pedagogies with the new technologies and utilizing the space so students can collaborate in groups,” stated Dr. Tuesday Stanley, president, Westmoreland County Community College.

The addition also includes new student study spaces to enhance group learning and a new café where students can relax, study and socialize.

“Every inch of the building is focused on students,” said Chad Amond, chair, Westmoreland County Community College Board of Trustees. “From the lab, to the study areas, this building is just the next step by the college to move forward their mission.”

The new Science Innovation Center enables the college to deliver and effectively integrate world-class science resources and strategies to engage students in understanding science concepts and make real-world connections to the subject matter.

Westmoreland President Tuesday Stanley presided over the ceremony which was attended by business and community leaders and elected officials.

Speakers at the event included Westmoreland County Commissioners Gina Cerilli, chair, Charles Anderson and Ted Kopas; Westmoreland County Community College Board of Trustees Chair Chad Amond; and Westmoreland County Community College Educational Foundation Vice President Joseph Trimarchi.

Special guests in attendance included Westmoreland board members Gene Ciafre, Barbara Ferrier, Bridget Johnston, William Kerr, Larry Larese, Ronald Ott, Leia Shilobod, Jess Stairs and John D. Wright; Educational Foundation board members L. Christian DeDiana, Buck Helfferich ,Bonnie Lewis and Judy Scheeren; Kelley Folts and Marc Janty of Cannon Design; Dr. Jim Denova, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation; Mike D’Orazio representing Senator Pat Toomey; Tim Gribbin representing State Representative Eric Nelson; Joe Orr, JC Orr and Sons; Donnie Jones and Tyson Baker, Turner Construction; Dan Pagliari; and Natalie Nichols.