York Technical College to open Anne Springs Close Learning Commons on Jan. 13
After almost two years of construction, York Technical College’s new state-of-the-art Anne Springs Close Learning Commons will officially open on Monday, January 13, 2020, coinciding with the first day of spring classes at the College. The York Technical College Foundation, Inc., hosted a grand opening to commemorate the building and Real. Bold. Better. campaign on Thursday for its major donors.
“We’re thrilled to welcome students back to campus and have the Anne Springs Close Learning Commons open at the same time,” said York Technical College President Dr. Greg F. Rutherford. “The Learning Commons is a remodeled and expanded version of the old library that now includes many services under one roof to support students and their needs.”
Named after local philanthropist Anne Springs Close, the Anne Springs Close Learning Commons (ASCLC) will incorporate the library, as well as computer stations, group study and conference rooms, and student support services such as the College’s Academic Coaching and Tutoring center. Additional amenities include a café, gaming areas and more.
“We wanted to provide students with a comfortable space for peer and faculty engagement while offering meaningful student services in one building,” Rutherford continued. “Providing our students with a learning environment that is supportive, cutting-edge and accessible in a contemporary destination is important to us.”
The opening of the Learning Commons also coincides with the completion of the York Technical College Foundation’s Real. Bold. Better. fundraising campaign. The initiative secured financial resources for the College to increase access to education, innovate the learning experience and create engaging campus facilities. The Foundation raised over $6.5 million during the campaign - well exceeding its $6.5 million goal back in the spring - and making it the largest fundraising effort in the history of the College.
“We’re ecstatic that campaign efforts coincide with the opening of the Anne Springs Close Learning Commons and marks the culmination of the successful Real. Bold. Better. campaign, a strategic and comprehensive effort we undertook to boost opportunities for the College and our community,” said York Technical College Foundation Executive Director Melanie Jones, who also serves as the Vice President of College Advancement. “We’re thankful to all of our donors for their contributions to the campaign and their roles in helping to make the Learning Commons and York Technical College a premiere educational hub for our students, employees and community.”
The new Learning Commons is approximately 32,685 square feet. Originally the building was 20,708 square feet, with renovations adding 11,977 square feet. The total cost of the renovation project is an estimated $10 million.
The first library on campus opened in 1971 and was located in what is now known as Building H (Administration). The library relocated to its own building in 1992. While construction was being done to complete the Learning Commons, the library was temporarily moved to the Baxter M. Hood Center.
About York Technical College:
York Technical College, a member of the South Carolina Technical and Comprehensive Education System, is a public, two-year institution of higher education that offers a variety of associate degrees, diplomas and certificates. Through maximizing student success, the College seeks to contribute to economic growth and development of York, Lancaster, and Chester counties and of the State. York Technical College has an open admissions policy for qualified students and annually enrolls 5,000-7,000 credit students. In addition, the College offers a comprehensive selection of corporate and continuing education courses designed to promote occupational advancement, personal interest and business and industry growth.
About York Technical College Foundation:
York Technical College Foundation was established in 1983 as a not-for-profit foundation organized under South Carolina law and is fiscally and organizationally separate from the College. The Foundation is committed to helping support student success, partnerships, programming and the campus environment, along with professional development.
About Real. Bold. Better. Campaign:
The York Technical College Foundation Inc. announced the Real. Bold. Better. comprehensive campaign in January 2016 that was concurrent to the opening of the remodeled C-Building now known as the Comporium Center. The campaign addressed three priorities that included creating access to educational opportunities, an effort to inspire new possibilities, and make innovative learning experiences and engaging learning environments. The Foundation successfully raised over $6.5 million, the largest fundraising effort in the history of the College.
About Anne Springs Close:
Local philanthropist Anne Springs Close was raised in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Thanks to Close and the generosity of her family, they have made several environmental and philanthropic accomplishments and contributions that include the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill and the Anne Springs Close Learning Commons on the campus of York Technical College, among several others.