Clinton Community College kicks off major fund-raising effort

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January 6, 2012

JOE LoTEMPLIO Press-Republican The Press Republican Fri Jan 06, 2012, 12:22 PM EST

PLATTSBURGH — Clinton Community College kicked off its most ambitious fundraising challenge ever by naming two prominent businesspeople to lead the way.

Larry and Judy Jeffords, owners of Jeffords Steel in Plattsburgh, will spearhead the Clearly Clinton Campaign, with the aim to collect $7.5 million in private donations to build a new learning center on campus.

"This is a cause we certainly feel is worth our effort," Mr. Jeffords told a crowd at a news conference on Friday morning.

"I can't tell you how much this college has helped our business over the years."

The goal is to raise the $7.5 million in five years, with the state matching that amount. It is the first-ever capital campaign in the college's history.

The $15 million 30,000-square-foot the 21st Century Learning Commons will be positioned between the main building on campus and the Ronald B. Stafford Center, overlooking Lake Champlain.

The new structure will house a state-of-the-art library and tutor centers to give students a chance to study alone or in groups. It will also feature electronic research tools and will accommodate students with disabilities.

'TREMENDOUS GROWTH'

The need for the new building was identified in the college's 2007 Facilities Master Plan, which noted that the existing library is too small and poorly configured. The library is now in what used to the dining hall of the old Champlain Hotel, and tutor rooms are in old hotel guest rooms.

The historic hotel was built in the early 20th century and converted into the college in the late 1960s.

"Our library facilities are woefully inadequate," CCC President John Jablonski said.

With CCC attracting a record-high number of students last year, he said, new facilities are critical.

"We've had tremendous growth, but unfortunately this growth comes when resources are scarce."

$500,000 SO FAR

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffords, who established their business in 1985, said CCC is a great resource for many area high-school graduates who are uncertain about their future.

"We realize the educational opportunities and workforce development the college offers is invaluable to the people of Clinton County," Mr. Jeffords said.

His wife was a member of the first graduating class of CCC in 1971.

"I am proud of the accomplishments that Clinton Community College has led me to," she said.

"I am looking forward to the hard work (of the fundraising campaign) and everybody's help in accomplishing that."

Construction on the new project will begin once Clearly Clinton is complete in June of 2016 or if the money is raised sooner.

So far, about $500,000 has been collected.

Steven G. Frederick, the associate vice president of institutional advancement at CCC, said donations toward the project will benefit the community far into the future.

"I cannot think of a better gift or a bigger impact for every student on this campus than building a state-of-the-art learning commons," he said.

Email Joe LoTemplio at: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com