The new Allied Health/Life Sciences Complex at North Central Missouri College moved from a concept to reality today as ground for the facility was broken in a ceremony featuring Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt.
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Gov. Blunt told a crowd of dignitaries, faculty and staff and college supporters that his priority on becoming governor was to make Missouri a more prosperous state.
“The seeds of long-term prosperity are really sown in education,” he said.
He spoke on the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative, a landmark higher education package signed by the governor last year. That initiative resulted in NCMC receiving $2 million toward the nearly $5 million facility that will be located west of Hoffman Hall.
“Missouri students are in a far better position than they were just a year ago before our landmark higher education reform made possible new opportunities for our colleges and universities,” the governor said. “In addition to providing greater access to higher education through expanded scholarships and greater funding four our colleges and universities, the Lewis and Clark Initiative really is providing state-of-the-art learning centers, like the Allied Health Building at North Central Missouri College, for our students to help position Missouri as a leader in higher education and provide them with the tools they need to compete in a very competitive national and global economy.”
The Lewis and Clark Initiative is a partnership between the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority and the state. The partnership, authorized through legislation and support by lawmakers, reinvests what Gov. Blunt called “an under-utilized” state asset to generate $335 million to strengthen Missouri’s colleges and universities for students.
Blunt said that while some are still opposed to the use of MOHELA funds for capital projects, those critics are out of touch with reality, are not supportive of what is being done at NCMC and have not provided any other alternatives.
Gov. Blunt also touted a $23.8 million increase for the Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program, allowing additional students access to higher education which brings total funding to $95.8 mullion, which nearly quadruples needs-based scholarship funding since the governor was elected. At NCMC, the effect has been significant, increasing funding for those scholarships from $9,490 to $116,747 for NCMC scholarships. Those funds will provide 167 NCMC students with greater access to a college education compared to only seven NCMC students who would have received the scholarships.
While he knows the state’s $2 million to the project was important, he indicated that he believes the real success lies with the campus community and the many supporters.
“Congratulations and I know you will make the most of this new facility,” he concluded.
Gov. Blunt joined a group for the actual groundbreaking ceremony. Those involved included NCMC President Dr. Neil Nuttall, Dr. John Holcomb, president of the NCMC Board of Trustees; Phyllis Dible, co-chair of the NCMC “Invest in the Vision” campaign; Jeff Crowley, NCMC Foundation President; Jeffrey Ellison of Ellison-Auxier Architects, Inc.; Mack Woodard, representing the Bert and Rose Hoover Foundation; Morris Westfall, Missouri State Director for USDA Rural Development; Trenton Mayor Cathie Smith; State Rep. Jim Whorton; State Sen. Brad Lager; and Rev. Barry Boulware, who gave the invocation.
In other comments, Dr. Nuttall said the day is a celebration of the efforts of many and thanked not only Gov. Blunt, Rep. Whorton and Sen. Lager and the large donors, but also the trustees, faculty and staff for their efforts and all those who have worked to make the day become a reality.
“I appreciate what you have invested in us and we will not let you down,” he said.
Following the groundbreaking, check presentations were held from the state of Missouri, USDA and Grundy Electric Cooperative. A reception was held in Hoffman Hall.