Today Middlesex Community College celebrated a defining moment in the college’s future: a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction of a new cafeteria and gathering space.
Founders Hall, the administrative building on campus, is also home to the student lounge and cafeteria. This 3,413-square-foot expansion includes a larger cafeteria and an attached, covered, outdoor deck that will overlook campus. This new space for students will serve as a stage for outdoor events on the campus. After the remodel, the cafeteria will be able to hold an additional 80-100 students.
“This new wing of Founders Hall will be an extraordinary space for Middlesex students,” said Dr. Anna Wasescha, president of Middlesex Community College. “It adds much needed indoor space where students can study and socialize and an expanse of covered deck for use in fair weather. The design capitalizes on the pristine beauty of the woods that border the campus and manages to soften the divide between the built and the natural environment. We are so grateful to the Governor, our legislators, the Board of Regents, and our huge community of friends and supporters who have helped make this dream become a reality.”
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This project marks the beginning of a transformation for the College. Back in September, President Anna Wasescha announced that the State Bond Commission approved almost $1.6 million for the expansion, making this the first major renovation to the College since the construction of Chapman Hall in 1991. In June, the College secured funding for a new 69,000-square-foot academic building to address the need for more space on campus.
Another big construction project scheduled for this academic year is the creation of a Center for New Media in the lower level of Chapman Hall. Last November, the College announced that it was a recipient of a $2.5 million U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Act Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) Grant for a New Media Studies initiative.
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The transformation of the College has even extended to its Meriden branch. Last July, MxCC’s Meriden Center was expanded after a year long project to include a library, a community room, administrative offices, a studio arts room, a computer lab and a welcome center.
The College retained Amenta/Emma Architects of Hartford, Macchi Engineers of Hartford, RZ Corporation, and Hawley Construction Corporation of Danbury to complete the expansion. Construction is expected to be completed by August 2014.
Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. In all it does, Middlesex Community College strives to be the college of its community. By providing high quality, affordable, and accessible education to a diverse population, the college enhances the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate, and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. MxCC, recently named a "Great College to Work For" by The Chronicle of Higher Education, offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at the main 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and online.
