BLOUNT CHARLESHALLL.BLOUNT CENTER 10APRILDEDICATION8,2022a.m.
For nearly half a century, Charles L. and Patricia M. Blount have been dedicated to supporting education and advocating for student success in our community. Their work has created permanently endowed scholarships that have benefited countless students who would have otherwise not been able to earn a college education. They have always answered the call for help whenever there has been a need within our community.
Mr. Blount said many times that Gainesville and Alachua County were good to him and that he wanted to give back to the community. In 1990, after an ambitious renovation and construction project, the Charles L. Blount Center first opened to students. It provided new opportunities to students with its convenient downtown Thelocation.facilities at the Blount Center served students well for 30 years but had grown to a point where renovations to the old building on the corner of West University and Sixth Street were not able to keep up with the needs of students and increased use of technology. And as they have done many, many times before, the Blount family rose to the occasion and have brought us to this incredible day where we officially open Blount Hall, part of the Blount Center, to students now and for generations to come.
CHARLES L. AND PATRICIA M. BLOUNT
Under their leadership, Santa Fe College’s Automotive Technology program was revitalized and has grown to become one of the most exemplary programs in the United States. Together they established scholarships for students training in the automotive programs and for students seeking any associates degree. They also created scholarships for students attending the PACE Center for Girls, providing educational opportunities to young women throughout Alachua and Bradford counties and helping them enroll at SF.
DEDICATION OF BLOUNT HALL Opening Welcome and Remarks ................................................................... Dr. Paul Broadie II President, Santa Fe College Welcome .........................................................................................................Michael Goldwire Chair, Board of Trustees Remarks Dr. Lisa Armour Provost (Interim) and Vice President for Academic Affairs Remarks ................................................................................................. Rev. Dr. Marie Herring Pastor, Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church Chair, East Gainesville Initiative Remarks ............................................................................................................ Chuck Clemons Vice President, Office for Advancement Remarks ........................................................................................................ Patricia M. Blount Donor, SF Foundation Director Remarks Liam McClay Associate Vice President, Governmental Affairs and Facilities Services Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting ......................................................................... Dr. Paul Broadie II Refreshments
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
business
Development
The Blount Center has offered general education classes since 1990, and students will still be able to take the classes needed to earn their associate degree. Blount Hall will become the new home for the college’s Business and Information Technology programs. Together, these programs offer more than 30 specialized certificates and degree opportunities tailored to the needs of area employers. Students in these programs, as well as members of the surrounding startup community, will have access to SF’s Center for Innovation and Economic (CIED), a incubator that has been operating downtown since 2007.
BUSINESS PROGRAMS Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree • Accounting Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degrees • Health Services Administration • Organizational Management Applied Business Analytics track Human Resource Management track Public Safety Management track Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees • Accounting • Business Administration • Health Information Technology • Health Services Management • Office Administration • Paralegal Studies Career and Technical Certificates (C.T.C.) • Data Management Analytics Specialist • Office Specialist • Revenue Cycle Management Medical Coder Biller INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) Degrees • Information Systems Technology Programming track Network track Security track Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees • Computer Information Technology • IT Security • Networking Systems Technology • Programming and Analysis College Credit Certificates (C.C.C.) • Computer Programmer • Computer Programming Specialist • Help Desk Support Technician • Information Technology Support Specialist • Network Infrastructure • Network Security • Network Server Administration
STUDENT SERVICES
Blount Hall, at the Blount Center, is designed to provide students a full array of support services geared toward promoting student success. Students will be able to access information about their financial aid, and meet with academic advisors to support them on their academic journey. Blount Hall also has a Learning Commons on the second floor, which will provide tutoring and academic success coaching for students. The Learning Commons has designated study spaces for both individuals and groups of students, as well as rooms designated for testing.
The CIED has served early-stage startups across a broad spectrum of sectors including service-oriented businesses, education, exam preparation businesses, web and app development.
CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (CIED)
Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA), the business incubation space has been doubled to strengthen the region’s economy and provide students the opportunity to work and learn from local start-up companies and business leaders.
The CIED provides training and support to help individuals and businesses in the community reach their career goals. It consists of the Entrepreneur Incubator, Continuing Education, corporate training, red carpet customer service and non-profit management.
Michael M. Goldwire, Chair Robert L. Woody, Vice Chair Paul Broadie II, President G.W. “Blake” Fletcher Emery CaridadGainey“Carrie” Lee Jeff L. Oody Lisa M. Prevatt Jackson N. Sasser, President Emeritus Robert C. Hudson, Trustee Emeritus G. Thomas Mallini, Trustee Emeritus Col. Arley W. McRae, Trustee Emeritus Greg Bradley, President Caridad “Carrie” Lee, Vice President Barbara Anderson Patricia M. Blount Patrice Boyes Paul Broadie II Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Charles W. Clemons Sr. C. Michael Curry Joseph W. “Jody” Davis Stefan M. Davis Michael M. Goldwire Jim JoJamesJasonJamesCarolG.AlanHerringHitchcockThomasMallini“Brandi”NoegelF.PainterRosenbergD.SalterWiggins DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THANK YOU TO OUR MANY PARTNERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE Special thanks to: Senator Jennifer Bradley Senator Rob Bradley Representative Chuck Brannan Representative Chuck Clemons Representative Yvonne Hinson Representative Bobby Payne Senator Keith Perry Honorable Elizabeth Porter Honorable Clovis Watson Jr. Santa Fe College