“In 2009, administration came together to combine two projects into one 80,000 square-foot building,” said IVCC president Jerry Corcoran at the grand opening of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center.
Four years later, the grand opening took place outside on Nov. 1 during a crisp fall afternoon.
The ceremony began with an introduction by Corcoran. Then, Yvette Lucas, president of the Student Veterans Association, led the flag pole dedication. Norman Engstrom, IVCC Chorale Director sang the National Anthem as the Marine Corps League raised the flag.
Many speakers spoke on behalf of the Peter Miller Technology Center project. The speakers included Catherine Miller and Joyce McCullough on behalf of the Miller Group Charitable Trust, which made a $1 million donation toward the CTC; State Rep. Frank Mautino, former State Sen. Gary Dahl, and representatives from the state of Illinois.
The Peter Miller Community Technology Center was named in the memory of Pete and Peter Miller, who both liked to keep up with the latest in technology.
Miller and McCullough commented, “I know Peter and Pete would be pleased to be a part of this. They would have been first in line to tour the new building.”
The center was actually unveiled 30 days ahead of schedule which Jim Underwood from the Illinois Capital Developed Board joked, “doesn’t happen very often.”
The speakers spoke about the benefits of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center including benefits to local business, benefits to the community, and benefits to students current and future.
The CTC was built not only for the students, but also the community as a whole as Corcoran states, “We take great pride in having the word community in our name.”
The gathering ended with the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon signaling the opening of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center. Tours were given of the building on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
The building is now open to the public with a number of offices moving into the center in the next few weeks and classes beginning in Spring 2014.
The entire project cost about $30 million with just under $23 million paid for through a state grant. Additional work is planned on the East Campus.