Speeches

Dedication Ceremony, Conference Center and Classroom Building, Penn State New Kensington

I am pleased to be here today to take part in the official opening of the New Kensington Campus Conference Center and Classroom Building. This beautifully appointed 12,000-square-foot facility has been a long-awaited addition to this campus and holds great promise for the University community, as well as the Allegheny-Kiski Valley.

When the idea of constructing such a facility was first floated well over a decade ago, there was no question of the critical need for such a gathering place. But there were obstacles to overcome. As the years went by, the idea for a conference center that could serve this area never diminished. In fact, it took root and planners vowed it would one day be a reality. That day, is today.

The persistence of so many in this community reminds me of the humble oyster. The most extraordinary thing about the oyster is that when it gets something under its shell, it cannot get rid of it. But the oyster uses it to do the loveliest thing an oyster ever has a chance to do. It makes a pearl.

For New Kensington, Upper Burrell Township and the surrounding communities, this conference center will play an important role in the continuing education of local residents and in creating positive economic impact in this region. This three-story structure is a venue for lifelong learning, providing classrooms, meeting space, study areas, and faculty and staff offices, as well as high-tech capabilities for the Information Age.

The meetings, seminars and conferences held at this facility not only will provide needed training and instruction to allow local residents to advance in their jobs and create new opportunities for themselves, it also will expand Penn State's ability to bring noteworthy programs and research activities to the public.

Conferences and events hosted on campus also have the potential to boost local economies. Conferences and other events create positive exposure for an area -- exposure that attracts business and industry partners. Better ties to local government and increased interaction among civic and community groups also are stimulated by a facility such as this.

Because of the strategic location of this center and its connectivity to other buildings on campus, Penn State New Kensington is now more accessible for students and visitors with disabilities.

As many of you may already know, on March 23 of this year, our Continuing Education staff moved into this building. On that same day, a conference attended by 75 judges from Western Pennsylvania was held here. Since then, this center has been the site of a food safety program, watershed management program, training for the state Department of Environmental Protection, a national youth sports program for at-risk youth, corporate training and a host of other events.

Clearly, there was never any question of "If you build it, will they come?" They have already been here and all indications are that, as word spreads about this new venue, they will continue to arrive.

The people and industries in this region have once again embraced the New Kensington campus and shown their support for Penn State and its programs. From its very beginnings, when much of the campus land came from a donation from the Aluminum Company of America, Penn State New Kensington has enjoyed the firm backing of the community it serves.

The University is proud to play such a vital role in the educational and economic life of those who call this valley their home. I'd like to thank the Governor and the state Department of General Services for their continued support of Penn State in helping our campuses meet the important needs of Pennsylvanians. I also want to thank community members who worked so diligently to create this facility -- which is truly a pearl in the Allegheny-Kiski Valley.