An open house and ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new 15,000-square foot Dabney S. Lancaster Community College Rockbridge Regional Center in Buena Vista was held October 7 with over 200 dignitaries and guests on hand.

"This new facility is exciting not only for the community, but also for the students we serve," commented DSLCC President Dr. Richard R. Teaff, noting that the new RRC is two-and-a-half times larger than the previous location. "From the very first facility we opened here, we recognized the need for increased services and training. And we couldn't have done it without the overwhelming and unwavering support of the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington and Rockbridge County," Teaff said.

The new $1.5 million RRC, located at 35 Vista Links Drive, features a computer lab with 24 stations; two compressed video labs (a third will be added in the spring); a testing center with computers used for proctored testing; two traditional lecture classroons; a conference room and two offices; a health sciences lab; and a greenhouse.

The RRC has been open for classes since the fall semester began in August. Registration for classes has increased threefold, and the number of students has doubled, according to Dr. Michael Scott, interim vice president for Instruction and Student Services.

"For too long, the Rockbridge Regional Center hadn't been able to meet the needs of DSLCC's students in Buena Vista, Lexington and Rockbridge County," commented Debbie Garrett, Congressman Bob Goodlatte's representative, who spoke on his behalf. "This new facility accomplishes that task. I applaud the regional efforts that resulted in this new center being built in such a cooperative fashion in just about a year's time. This facility will provide benefits to this region for a long time to come," she noted.

State Senator Creigh Deeds noted that funding for the state-of-the-art facility shows a tremendous investment not only in the community but in its people. House of Delegates member Ben Cline remarked the RRC is a wonderful example of communities coming together for the education of its youth.

"When I look at this facility I think of people who will come here and whose lives will change," said Dr. Glenn DuBois, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. "I applaud the partners who made this happen." He stressed Dr. Teaff's leadership in the project.

Buena Vista Mayor Mike Clements thanked the College for making Buena Vista its new home; Lexington's Vice-Mayor Tim Golden remarked about years of service that the new RRC would provide to the community; and Supervisor Mack Smith of the Rockbridge County Board, a community college product himself, said it was an example of what cooperation can accomplish.

Probably the most exciting new feature is the addition of the culinary arts program, and a new state-of-the-art kitchen, which Dr. Phil McManus, program head of the Culinary Arts program, describes as a "fully functional, compartmentalized teaching kitchen, a cross between comtemporary and traditional".

There are four complete "mini-kitchens" with a stove, mixer, cookware and dishwasher at each station, enabling the instructor to teach a different curriculum at each station and enabling students to complete practical exams.

The greenhouse located behind the building will be used by the culinary students for growing herbs and serve as the future location for horticulture classes.

For more information call the RRC at 1-540-261-1211 or email RRC Director Tamra Cottrill at tcottrill@dslcc.edu.

Source: Virginia Review, Saturday, October 11, 2008.