NICC Calmar dedicates its new Student Center

"This is a great day," NICC President Penny Wills said Tuesday as the community college officially dedicated its new student center on the Calmar campus.

The new 38,900 square foot Student Center actually opened to students late in December.  Community and voters' support for the NICC $35 million bond levy funded construction of the new $7.2 million facility.

NICC Board of Trustees member Jim Anderson said the new facility "was built with students in mind" and would "enhance our students' learning experience."

One NICC student, Teresa Dehning from Decorah, said the students love the new facility.  She said the building gives students a quiet space to study--and even a place to take a quick nap.  "The students are enormously thankful," she said.

The building houses many college offices and student resources, including admissions, advising, counseling, financial aid, the registrar and the adult transition offices, student life, TRiO-Upward Bound, the library and the bookstore. Common areas in the Student Center also offer study areas for students and places to connect with peers and college faculty.

NICC President Penny Wills

The ribbon cutting was a struggle--until Anderson came up with a penknife!