Heathrow Center Groundbreaking

October 26, 2005

Welcome - Dr. McGee

• Welcome to a truly historic day in the life of Seminole Community College - and our Central Florida region!
• Standing here in this clearing, it's hard to believe that a three-story 65,000 sq. ft. building will soon begin growing from the shovels we plant here today.
• Our theme for this project is "Developing Central Florida's Economy Together"
• Indeed, many different partners have taken the seed of an idea planted three years ago with the donation of this property ... nurtured it ... and helped it grow.
• Today, each of those partners are here, so in the interest of time - and to help you save your "applause energy" - we will recognize them at various times throughout the ceremony.
• The first partners I'd like to introduce ... our governing partner in all that we do ... the SCC Board of Trustees
  • From your right to left ...
  • And our Chairman - Verdell Pugh (Ask Verdell Pugh to come forward)

Remarks - Verdell Pugh

• Welcome / comments
• Recognizes Pizzuti's land donation
  • (Along with Dr. McGee, presents award to Ron Pizzuti, all pose for 1 photo)

Thank you / Remarks - Ron Pizzuti

Dr. McGee

• On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Seminole Community College, I would like to add my thanks to you, Ron...
  
  • Thank you for changing your travel plans to be here...
  • I've told countless audiences about the extraordinary donation of this property from The Pizzuti Companies -- so we're especially glad that you're here this morning, so we can at last thank you and recognize your gift in person and in public.
  • This facility, that will help to fuel our region's economic growth, would still be a dream today if not for your gift. Ron, we cannot say it enough ... "Thank you!"
• And someone else who thanks you for your donation, is Sid Miller ... who was Chairman of our Board at that time. Before the Pizzuti donation, Sid spent a good 1-1/2 years out of his life looking for property. I'd get a call at 2:00 directing me to meet Sid at 2:30 to look at this property or that.
• Then, after we received this property, Sid was still right there in the thick of things as we began exploring how this project could play a key role in enhancing our region's economic development.
• A lot happened ... and someone who was there for it all ... our immediate past Chairman of BOT ... intro Sid

Remarks - Sid Miller

Dr. McGee

• Thank you Sid, for your perspective ... and thank you for all you've done to make this Center a reality.
• Listening to Sid chronicle all that's happened in the last three years ... It is obvious why our theme this morning is "Developing Central Florida's Economy Together"
• Now it's time to recognize the rest of our partners in this project.
• Our first partner - and always first in our minds - our students ... present / future. Everything we do, is with our students in mind.
  
  • And it's important to note ... 90 percent of what will take place in this building will be classroom and student-related.
  • They will not all be traditional "first time in college" students, although we expect to have a smattering of those AA classes here.
  • Rather, they will be students seeking to learn specific skills and increase their knowledge of careers and technologies important to our region's workforce.. while also increasing their earning capacity.
• Next partners ... our extraordinary SCC faculty / staff
  
  • Like Dean Michael Staley and his team
  • Mike joined us several years ago as Dean of Economic Development and Employer Services - and he will be the Dean of this Center when it opens.
  • And working right in tandem with Mike and his team have been dozens of other SCC constituents - but we'd be here all day if we named them all. Instead, I would like every SCC faculty / staff member here this morning to please stand and be recognized ...
  • Thank you for your partnership in this project - everything from selecting curriculum to designing classroom space ... your hard work in planning, designing, and growing this Center for Economic Development is about to really pay off - we know this building is destined to be a showcase for our region.
• Some of the degrees and programs you can expect:
  
  • AS in Digital Media
  • Graphics and Web design
  • Interactive media
  • And a new Architectural Rendering program
• We intend to also expand our Construction and Design programs so that:
  
  • Architectural Design
  • Drafting and Design
  • A new Construction Management program -- so critical to Central Florida's economy --
  • And perhaps Interior Design will be located here.
• Some AS and AA offerings will be here, based on student / employer demand
• One other unique aspect of this Center: Our own SCC Office of Economic Development and Employer Services will be anchored here
  • Includes SCCorporate College -- which offers continuing education, contract training, and professional development courses that are so important to our region... like real estate, insurance, finance, and project management.
  • And SCC Small Business Services will also be headquartered here
• While we're at it, I'd like to recognize:
  
  • our Architect - Hunton Brady
  • and our Builder - PPI Construction Management
• Our next partners in growing this Center for Economic Development are ones who have provided the funds for this project!
  
  • Our state partners ... our local Legislators
  • And we're glad several are sharing our platform, so we can recognize and thank you in person:
  • Rep. Sandy Adams (and SCC alumna)
  • Sen. Lee Constantine
  • We have asked two of our legislators to share some remarks with you ...
  • First, our well-known "native son" from Lake Mary ... former mayor and now state representative ... and someone who has always given SCC fantastic "homegrown" support -- David Mealor
    (ask David to come forward)

Remarks - David Mealor

Dr. McGee

• Thank you, David, for all you've done for this project, and for all you do for SCC ... and for your role at UCF
• Our other local delegation members have also played a key role in this Center for Economic Development.
• And leading our local delegation in the upcoming session ... Rep. David Simmons

Remarks - David Simmons

Dr. McGee

• Thank you, Rep. Simmons, and thank you again to every member of our local delegation ... for supporting this important regional partnership.
• In addition to state government, our local government also plays a crucial role in economic development ... and we're so proud to have Seminole County as a major partner in this Center for Economic Development.
• Representing our County Commission on the platform ...
  
  • Chairman Carlton Henley
  • Also Brenda Carey
  • Randy Morris
• Members of the Commission, thank you for your support of this project and for your longtime partnership with SCC...
  
  • County has long supported the Small Business Incubator at the Port ... will continue there.
  • We're also delighted that the County's Economic Development Office will become a resident partner here
    (... recognize Bill McDermott and his team)
  • Now, to say a few words on behalf of our County ... Chairman Carlton Henley

Remarks - Carlton Henley

Dr. McGee

• Thank you, Chairman Henley ... I would also like to recognize other Seminole County officials in the audience
  
  • County Manager Kevin Grace
  • Deputy County Managers ... and SCC alumni ... Don Fisher and Sally Sherman
• We also have with us a number of other local government leaders
• A portion of this property lies within the City of Lake Mary
  
  • So we have several Lake Mary Commissioners with us:
  • Deputy Mayor Jan Jernigan
  • Commissioner Gary Brender
  • Commissioner Mike McLean
• Recognize other local gov't officials in audience
  
  • Winter Springs Mayor John Bush
  • John Litton from the City of Lake Mary
• Seeing so many government and regional leaders here this morning certainly reinforces our theme ... we truly are "Developing Central Florida's Economy Together!"
• And one of the most unique aspects of this Center will be the innovative collaboration between our business and higher education communities.
• One of our strongest champions is also about to become one of our largest resident partners here... the Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce...
  
  • Recognize Chamber board and Chamber representatives in audience
  • Now, to share a few remarks is Denny Bowman, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Seminole County Regional Chamber...
    (Ask Denny Bowman to come forward)

Remarks - Denny Bowman

Dr. McGee

• Thank you Denny. And thank you to the entire Board and entire Chamber team, for your outstanding support. We look forward to being "roommates" here beginning in 2007!
• But the Chamber will not be the only resident partner here ... we're also proud that we will soon become a home of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council
  
  • Randy Berridge, through his extraordinary vision and commitment, has also been a tremendous supporter and has played a key role in growing this project.
    (Introduce Randy Berridge)

Remarks - Randy Berridge

Dr. McGee

• Thank you, Randy.
• There is still one more partner who has been working with us for years on this project ... a partner that we know will continue to collaborate with SCC to enhance the seamlessness of higher education throughout our region ... the University of Central Florida.
  
  • Representing John Hitt and UCF on our platform today, is someone who is extremely familiar with this project ...
  • ... indeed, the moment Pizzuti Companies made their extraordinary gift of this property, I turned to him because he was SCC's VP for Educational Programs and asked him to "lead the charge" for developing this Center.
  • Today, he is Vice Provost at UCF for Regional Campuses ... but he has certainly remained firmly engaged in this project, even from his new vantage point.
  • Now, to share some remarks on the impact this Center for Economic Development will have on higher education throughout our region ... Dr. David Harrison
    (Ask Dave Harrison to come forward)

Remarks - Dave Harrison

Dr. McGee

• Thank you, Dave. And please extend our thanks to John Hitt and everyone at UCF ... SCC truly values our growing partnership with your outstanding university.
• There is one final partner in this project
  
  • Colonial Properties Trust is the major developer in this Heathrow- International Parkway area.
  • They are a great partner, and a great friend.
  • They have given SCC their support every step of the way of this project ... from our initial planning and zoning, to helping us with this groundbreaking ceremony today.
  • Unfortunately, due to hurricane damage in South Florida, Tom Green and his team are missing this ceremony
    (Read plaque we'll award Tom when he returns.)
• Please join me in one more round of applause for each of our speakers this morning, and for each of their very special partnerships in this Center.
• As we end this ceremony, I have two announcements ...
• First, over the next 18 months as you drive by on I-4 or International Parkway, you will see this magnificent new building growing tall into the sky.
• And as a symbol of this Center's growth, we have a special memento.
• When you leave, we have one of these special Live Oaks commemorating this morning's groundbreaking. It's a vibrant, growing symbol of this new SCC Center for Economic Development at Heathrow.
• Lastly, you may have noticed in the brochure on your seat that one of our top priorities is to "Lead Our Region."
• And that's exactly what this Center for Economic Development will do. It will lead Seminole County - and our region - by providing new opportunities, allowing us to "Develop Central Florida's Economy Together!"
• Now, it is time to put our feet on some shovels!

Did you know?

SCC awarded 1,377 A.A. and A.S. degrees in 2005-06 - an all-time high!