The two-story, 47,500 square-foot building, named after college President John Dempsey, was opened with a brief ceremony and a ribbon cutting before members of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and Student Government Association (SGA) led onlookers on a tour.
Dempsey said that even though it is his name “up in lights,” the building is really named after every employee of the college.
“My name is on the front of the building, but I want you, all our faculty and staff, to know that your work is what made this possible,” he said. “It is the college’s appreciation for the work that you have done that prompted the board to place the name of one employee on the building.”
Dempsey also thanked his friends and family for their support.
After a brief introduction by Rick Smith, the college’s director of institutional development, George Little, chairman of the SCC Board of Trustees, began the ceremony.
“Isn’t this a beautiful building?” he asked. “Dr. Dempsey, during his tenure of 16 years, has worked to provide the finest faculty, staff and facilities to serve our students. Look at this beautiful setting. It just doesn’t get any better than this, does it?”
John McKean, vice chairman of the Sandhills Community College Foundation, talked about how Dempsey’s energy has helped make the college a success.
“John is a man of large appetites and not only for Vito’s pizza,” McKean said. “He likes life, he likes to be the center of attention, and he likes to help people and make them feel better about themselves.
“This building will not only represent the physical center of the campus, but it will enhance the educational experience of our most important people — the students.”
McKean said buildings are often named for people who have moved on. He said Dempsey is “a man who has just begun.”
Smith recognized many of those who’ve helped the college through its 41 years, some of whom already have buildings named in their honor. Others were honored by having their names placed on different areas within the Dempsey Center. Included within the building are the Logan Bookstore, the Heins Gymnasium, the Russell Fitness Center, the Ewing Student Leadership Center, the Peterson Dining Commons and the Clement Dining Room.
Richard Gough, vice president of business and administrative services, thanked the men and women who designed and constructed the building.
“The truth is, we didn’t build this building by ourselves,” Gough said. “We had some help.”
Mark Wright of Wright Architecture in High Point designed the building, while J.H. Allen Inc. of Asheboro was the general contractor. ABL & Associates Plumbing of Raleigh, Smith’s Refrigeration of Lumberton and H&L Electrical of Laurinburg were among the key subcontractors.
“It’s a work of genius,” Dempsey said, gesturing toward Wright.
Jennifer DiSantis, outgoing president of the Student Government Association, and incoming SGA President Mitchell Ellis also spoke.
“I was the president for 2004-2005, so I have seen this building being built from the ground up,” DiSantis said. “I love this building very much and already had my office picked out in April.”
Ellis said he looks forward to working with Dempsey. He will be the first SGA president to use the Student Leadership Center for a full year.
“This indicates how one person’s dream, Dr. Dempsey’s, can become a reality,” Ellis said.
The building, which cost $7.9 million to construct, is funded by a 2000 state bond referendum and a 1997 county bond issue.
