(L-R) Paul Tennant of Associated Architects, Edward
Tucker of Edward Tucker Architects, Staci Moore GSC
Student Government Association president, Rick Sypolt
former GSC Land Resources Department chair, Janet Bailey
GSC Athletic Director, Craig Worl GSC Foundation Board
president, Greg Smith donor, Mary Lee McPherson donor,
Sue Morris GSC Board of Governors president and donor,
Ike Morris donor, and Peter Barr GSC President break
ground on the new Pioneer Center at Glenville State College
By Dustin Crutchfield
Glenville State College
GLENVILLE, WV - Glenville State College broke ground Tuesday for the Pioneer Center, a $25,000,000 facility that will house the college's Land Resources department, a 3,000-seat sports arena, and other athletic facilities and offices. The building may also include a 9,000 square foot healthcare facility for the college and community.
"The groundbreaking for the Pioneer Center is a milestone occasion that expresses our confidence in a bright future for Glenville State College," said GSC President Peter Barr.
When completed, the Pioneer Center will be adorned with glass, stone, wooden beams, and a large central skylight in the main lobby. It will be located just off of Mineral Road in the area currently occupied by the college softball field, tennis courts, and Eberle Hall which has housed the Land Resources department since 1971.
Several honored guests were on hand to turn soil, including major benefactors Ike and Sue Morris. They kick-started fundraising efforts as part of the Transforming Lives NOW! (TLN) capital campaign in 2007 with a magnanimous donation of five million dollars.
"This is probably the finest thing I've ever been involved with," said Morris of contributing to the Pioneer Center.
Soon after the TLN campaign started, other donations rolled in that, in combination with state bonds, have brought over twenty million dollars to the project.
Although unable to attend the ceremony, United States Senator Joe Manchin sent a note that expressed his regards. Upon completion of the Pioneer Center we will be, "improving educational opportunities so our students, communities, and businesses can thrive," said Manchin.
Associated Architects of Charleston, West Virginia and Edward Tucker Architects of Huntington, West Virginia are the partnering architects of the building. Construction of the Pioneer Center is expected to be completed by March 2013.
| 
