On Saturday, July 16, 2011, in conjunction with the 100th Anniversary Gala of Hotel Champlain II, the Clinton Community College Foundation kicked off its first-ever capital campaign. It was my honor to address the audience to explain the significance of this fundraising effort. For the benefit of those who could not be present, I have posted the text of my speech below.
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Is everyone having a good time? I am so thrilled that all of you are here to help Clinton Community College celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Hotel Champlain and to launch the capital campaign that will help build a 21st-Century Learning Commons on this Bluff. We will talk more about that in a moment.
Two years ago, I began my job as President of Clinton Community College. During my first year, various stakeholder groups – students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, Foundation Directors and community leaders -- explored together the Mission of and Vision for this fine institution.
For some, the process seemed slow, but the time was well spent. As a result of that year-long conversation, this College and its stakeholders have come to the shared conclusion that our Mission is “To provide educational opportunities that enrich minds, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life in our region.”
This simple statement is not trivial. Embedded in it is the dual nature of public higher education: education for the private good, and education for the public good. We know that our mission is to elevate the individual student who is educated here – to help them find a better job, increased earning capacity and a better life for themselves and their families. But I suggest that every resident of Clinton County – whether they enroll here or not -- benefits from this College.
Here are a few examples:
• Because of Clinton Community College, the quality of healthcare in our region is outstanding. Our most recent class of nurses posted a 97% pass rate on the national nursing license exam. I don’t know if that is the best pass rate in the state, but I do know that it exceeds the state and national averages by more than 10%
• Because of Clinton Community College, local business and industry have been able to expand and prosper. Short-term training for 200 Nova Bus employees is a good example, but not the only one.
• Because of Clinton Community College, there are culture, art and sporting events that might not otherwise be here. Our Concerts on the Bluff draw hundreds of guests during the summer season. Our student and community theater groups entertain us and make us think. Our national championship women’s soccer team delights the hometown crowd. And 1800 Quebec cyclists came to Clinton County because we have a college with vistas beyond compare.
Yes, there is a private good that comes to individual students, but more importantly, we at Clinton Community College have discovered and announce with pride that we are also here to “strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life” for everyone in our region.
We mean it when we say, “Community is our middle name.”
In just a few minutes, all of you will receive a first-edition of Richard Frost’s new book on the history of Hotel Champlain and Bluff Point. It is a remarkable piece of work, of which we can all be extremely proud. Richard, you have outdone yourself!
As the book explains, great and important people gathered here a hundred years ago. We drop their names like they are old friends: Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, William McKinley, William Howard Taft, and Babe Ruth, to name just a few. When this was a luxury resort, they came here for rest and recreation. Their history here is important to us and we celebrate it tonight.
But I suggest that the work that we do here on this Bluff today is historically just as important, if not more so. Tonight’s festivities notwithstanding, people come to this Bluff today, not because this is a luxury resort, but because we “enrich minds, strengthen the economy and improve the quality of life in our region.” Few causes could be nobler.
Tonight, in recognition of the important work that we do in and for our community, I am pleased to formally announce the College’s first-ever capital campaign. The campaign is called, “Clearly Clinton.” Its goal is to raise $7.5 Million in private support over the next five years. It is far more ambitious than any prior effort here, and as important as any endeavor we have ever begun.
With the help of JMZ Architects and Planners, we have developed a thoughtful and comprehensive Facilities Master Plan – based on our Mission and Vision -- that will guide our capital projects for the next five years and beyond. With the ongoing financial support of our sponsor, Clinton County, we intend to address critical maintenance items on campus, especially in this 100-year-old gem that tonight – for one night only -- is once again The Hotel Champlain.
But this campus needs more than just repairs; it needs to grow and modernize. This year, the College enrolled a record number of students. In fact, we have grown by more than 14% in just two years. This year, the College also graduated a record number of students, 23% more than last year. Unfortunately, this double-digit growth comes at a time when public resources are becoming scarcer. So we tighten our belts and do more with less.
And yet, we have a pressing need for a 21st-Century Learning Commons. A hundred years ago, we would have called it a library. Our existing facilities are woefully inadequate – especially for those with physical challenges and learning disabilities.
For many years this small space has served as our Library. Our tutoring center is tucked upstairs into retrofitted hotel rooms. And one of the greatest ironies is that our Accommodative Services – which support students with learning disabilities and physical disabilities – are located in one of the most unwelcoming, remote corners of this old hotel. While we have central spaces for students to eat and play, we do not have adequate facilities for students to gather for academic pursuits.
The proposed 21st-Century Learning Commons is part of a comprehensive plan for the further development of our campus. It will be constructed between the Moore and Stafford Buildings. Yes, there will still be books in the 21st-Century Learning Commons, but there will also be electronic resources, spaces for students to study alone and together, to collaborate, and to receive tutoring and accommodative services.
Our goal is ambitious. But, in the past, when we have solicited private funds for program innovation, our needs have been met. They were met with 100% participation of our faculty and staff. They were met by 100% participation of our students. And they were met by gifts from smart businessmen and women like George Moore. Therefore, we are confident that this community has the will and the capacity to support this first-ever capital campaign.
George Moore’s single magnificent gift a few years ago was used to establish “The Moore Innovation Fund,” a $2-million endowment that we use to develop new programs, to support professional development and to move the College forward in ways not otherwise possible in times of scarce public resources. No College has had a better friend and supporter than George Moore. We can never thank George enough, but in honor of his past support, we are pleased to announce that George Moore is the Honorary Chair of the Clearly Clinton campaign. Please join me in recognizing and thanking George Moore for his generosity.
The construction of the 21st Century Learning Commons will be a public/private partnership. Private contributions from organizations and individuals, with matching State funds, will allow us to realize our dream. With the help of financial experts, we envision many creative ways that organizations and individual can contribute. Some may write a single check, but others may wish to plan and structure their contributions more creatively. We stand ready to discuss the various options and naming opportunities with those who may want to hear more.
Tonight, along with Dr. Frost’s book, you will all also receive more information about Clearly Clinton and our plans for the future.
Ladies and gentlemen, we hold Clinton’s future in our hands. Today we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hotel Champlain; in five years, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Clinton Community College. At that time, I expect that we will be able to announce that we have met our five-year capital goal.
We can transform this outstanding college into a truly exceptional one. But wishing won’t make it so. We have to earn our greatness – and by your investment in all that we seek to achieve, we will.
The vision is clear… Clearly Clinton!
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That's what I think. Please let me know what you think by sending an e-mail to presidentsblog@clinton.edu.
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