Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute hosted a special groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at the future site of a new health sciences facility on the Caldwell Campus in Hudson.
CCC&TI Trustees, local elected officials, community leaders, partners and employees gathered for the ceremony, which marks the beginning of the construction phase of the project. The new building will be a state-of-the-art teaching and learning center with a simulated hospital environment, and a variety of labs and classroom spaces that will allow the college’s 24 health sciences programs to be co-located in one facility. At 75,000 square feet, the facility will be the largest building on the Caldwell Campus. The project will also include a remodeling of the upper floors of H Building to connect the two buildings to create an integrated learning environment that utilizes the new and the existing space.
Mr. Jerry Church, Chairman of CCC&TI’s Board of Trustees opened the ceremony and welcomed all those in attendance. Church recognized special guests, community leaders, educational partners, volunteers, supporters and employees who gathered for the ceremony. “The new health sciences building represents the heart of what CCC&TI is all about, and that is being the Community’s College. So, thank you again for being here and celebrating this amazing day with us,” said Church. “All of you are special guests so a huge thank you for your continued support and welcome to this exciting new chapter for CCC&TI.”
CCC&TI President, Dr. Mark Poarch also welcomed all those gathered for the event and spoke to the importance of the project for the institution, future students and the community. “Today is the day we change the future of CCC&TI…forever. Today is the day we break ground on the largest, most transformational building project in the 61-year history of our college,” said Poarch. “Today is the day we change the lives of generations of students who will benefit from what will be an innovative health sciences facility with the latest technology that will prepare students for healthcare careers of the future.”
North Carolina House of Representatives Speaker Destin Hall was on hand for the event and commented on the significance and importance of the project for future students and for the region as a whole. “It’s an honor to be here today, to celebrate what is going to be a
tremendous project not just for our county, but for the surrounding counties and the region,” said Hall. “One of our [state’s] greatest needs is healthcare as you all know. We need more medical providers particularly in this region… so this is a much-needed project.” said Hall.
Hall also talked about how the work of college leaders now and in the past has laid the groundwork for continued success and earned the confidence of legislators and leaders across the state. “CCC&TI sets itself apart across the state and is a leading community college in the statewide system. This institution truly makes a difference at the end of the day in driving the economic engine of Caldwell County and the entire Northwestern North Carolina region.”
Mr. Justin Somers, Regional Director for U.S. Senator Ted Budd also attended the event. “It is an honor to be here on behalf of Senator Budd, who sends his congratulations and his thanks for the invitation to today’s event,” said Somers. Somers spoke about Senator Budd’s work on legislation to address many of the state’s most pressing needs including both workforce and educational challenges. He also praised the college for its work to address those needs through innovation and partnerships. “On behalf of Senator Budd, thank you and congratulations on this milestone achievement today. It’s a truly great day to celebrate collaboration and the future of education here in Caldwell County.”
Following Somers’ remarks, Poarch took the podium to recognize several supporters of the project and to officially announce the name of the new building.
“We are especially honored to recognize an extraordinary, longtime friend of the college—one whose generosity and vision have played a pivotal role in bringing this health sciences facility to life. We extend our deepest gratitude to the Broyhill Family Foundation for their significant financial gift and for the enduring legacy of support the Broyhill family has shown this institution over many years. Their commitment to education, health care, and the well-being of our region has helped shape not just this building, but who we are as a college,” said Poarch. “I am absolutely thrilled to announce this morning that the new health sciences building will proudly bear the name Faye A. Broyhill. Please join me in thanking the Broyhill Family Foundation for their incredible investment in our college, our students, and our community.”
Several members of the Broyhill family were in attendance for the event. Mr. Hunt Broyhill offered remarks on behalf of the family. “Since the inception of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute just over 60 years ago, the Broyhill family has shared a special partnership with the college and its generations of leaders. This has never been more true than today,” said Broyhill. “The primary reason we have remained dedicated to the college is that it has played a role as a catalyst of economic empowerment for thousands of individuals and families in this community and beyond. No other institution has done more to train and equip our friends and neighbors for professional success,” said Broyhill. “It is with great pride that we accept the invitation of Dr. Poarch and the Board of Trustees to honor the memory of our mother and her service to the community by naming this new building for her. This is truly a great day to celebrate.”
Following remarks from Mr. Broyhill, Poarch also recognized several other partners who have given in support of the project. “We are deeply grateful to the CCC&TI Foundation for their remarkable gift. The Foundation’s support of this project is a direct result of legacy bequests from generous donors over the years. The beautiful terrace on the second floor of the building will proudly bear their name – and the simulated hospital on the first floor will honor another pivotal benefactor as the Blackwelder Simulated Hospital,” announced Poarch. “We also extend sincere appreciation to our partners at Blue Ridge Energy. Their early and generous support will be recognized through the naming of the Blue Ridge Energy Community Room on the first floor.”
Caldwell County Commissioner Chairman Randy Church closed out the ceremony with remarks on behalf of his fellow commissioners and a prayer of dedication. “On behalf of the Caldwell County Board of Commissioners, myself, Vice-Chairman Mike Labrose, Jeff Branch, Donnie Potter, and Patrick Starnes, I’d like to say it’s an honor to be here as we break ground on a project that has been long anticipated and talked about on CCC&TI’s Caldwell Campus,” said Church. “This [facility] is a testament to the collective vision, dedication and hard work of everyone who has contributed to making this dream a reality. It embodies our commitment to advancing health education, fostering innovation and improving the wellbeing of our communities. [This facility will be] a sanctuary for learning, discovery and healing, a space where future healthcare professionals will be trained….and lives will be touched and transformed in the future.”
The estimated build time for the facility is 25 months. Construction fencing and signage will be added around the site of the new building in the coming days and will remain in place for the duration of the project. Project updates and milestones will be posted on the college’s website and social media feeds throughout the project. There will also be a live webcam feed on the college’s website that will allow visitors to see the progress of the project in real time.
Architectural firm ClarkNexsen-NC designed the facility with input from local healthcare leaders, clinical partners and practices, as well as CCC&TI’s health sciences program directors and faculty members. Vannoy Construction will oversee the building phase of the project.
For more information on supporting the Faye A. Broyhill Health Sciences Building project, contact the Foundation of CCC&TI at 828.726.2203.
