From The Mt. Vernon (Ohio) News …

By Alan Reed,  Mount Vernon News

March 21, 2012 11:09 am EDT

MOUNT VERNON — The culmination of many years of planning, hard work and anticipation officially came to fruition Tuesday morning in downtown Mount Vernon. Numerous area residents, business representatives, city officials and friends of education came out to celebrate the dedication of Ariel Hall, Central Ohio Technical College’s newest campus facility.

“This is a great day for the college and for this community,” said Joel Daniels, COTC Vice President for Extended Campuses and New Development, in welcoming those attending the ceremony. “This is truly a collaborative celebration, and I hope each one of you feels the sense of ownership as we officially open your community’s technical campus in downtown Mount Vernon.”

COTC first opened in Mount Vernon in 1979 when classes were offered at Mount Vernon High School. In 1986, the Knox County Joint Vocational School (now Knox County Career Center) allowed the use of its classrooms, labs and office space for COTC use. The former Colonial Cinema was then purchased through the generosity of local benefactors and donated to the college in 2006. A total of $5.8 million was pledged from the community for the total renovation of the former theater into a state-of-the-art learning facility which opened up for classes in January.

COTC President Bonnie L. Coe was introduced by Daniels. “Today is a moment in time; one of those unique opportunities when you pause to realize the magnitude of the accomplishment. Today we all feel an incredible, indescribable sense of pride for the collaboration that was required to renovate this facility and for its potential impact in the years to come. Today, we dedicate Ariel Hall to the community, to Mount Vernon, to Fredericktown, to Centerburg, to Danville and to Gambier; we pledge the support of the college to meet your work force needs and to be a partner in your economic development.” Coe recognized numerous individuals and businesses who were instrumental in establishing the new COTC facility in Mount Vernon
Read more: COTC dedicates new campus facilityhttp://www.mountvernonnews.com/local/12/03/21/cotc-dedicates-new-campus-facility#ixzz1pmGN1O7W