Officials dedicate SLCC campus in Wildwood

By Mary Shapiro

Carla Chance remembers attending a groundbreaking two years ago, in the midst of what she called swirling dust and roaring, earth-moving equipment.

"And today, we're enjoying the outcome," said Chance, vice chancellor of finance and business services for the St. Louis Community College (SLCC).

"Today, we're part of something magical and remarkable, to open the door to educational opportunities in the western St. Louis County suburbs," she said.

Chance was among staff and representatives from other educational institutions, the Missouri General Assembly, businesses, contractors and community organizations who gathered Sept. 14 to officially dedicate the newest SLCC campus, in Wildwood.

The Wildwood campus is at 2645 Generations Drive, behind the Wildwood Family YMCA and near the intersection of Highway 109 and Manchester Road.

It opened for classes Aug. 20 with 1,233 students enrolled, as well as 26 full-time staff (of those, five are faculty); eight part-time staff; and 85 adjunct faculty, said Pam McIntyre, acting president of the campus.

"We're happy to be part of the Wildwood community," she said.

She added that a University of Missouri adviser also is on campus, to serve those in the three degree programs and other students.

"This campus provides a geographically closer location for all those in West County," McIntyre said.

SLCC in 1998 purchased 66 acres in Wildwood at an approximate cost of $3.9 million in order to construct the new campus. The construction cost was about $18 million.

The campus offers associate degrees in general transfer studies, business administration and teaching, as well as introductory career and technical education courses, continuing education classes and developmental courses needed to attain degrees.

Through a partnership between SLCC and the University of Missouri-St. Louis, students will be able to complete a bachelor's degree in business administration, liberal studies or elementary education.

The initial building, 75,000 square feet, houses classrooms and labs, offices, student services, lounges, a bookstore, multipurpose room and rooms set up to use sophisticated presentation and Web-based technologies.

The campus also provides high-speed Internet access by cable as well as wireless connectivity within and around the campus site.

SLCC-Wildwood is the region's first "green-roofed" college building. The roof features trays that contain sedum plants -- a drought-tolerant plant that has water-storing leaves - that prevent heat absorption in the roofing materials, as well as insulate the building.

The green roof is one of the energy-efficient and environmentally friendly features that are meant to qualify the campus for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED emphasizes strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality. Other features include a lighting system that automatically balances to accommodate variations in natural light, and each room is equipped with a ceiling fan to uniformly distribute fresh air, enhance ventilation and reduce energy consumption.

Wildwood Mayor Ed Marshall told SLCC representatives he's "pleased and honored to welcome you and all the great things you bring to this community."

"This is a spectacular facility that feels good and looks good," said former SLCC Chancellor Henry Shannon. "And I've really enjoyed the journey to make this happen."

Shannon also challenged state legislators, noting that additional funding will be needed for the second and third phases of the Wildwood campus to go forward.

Both the state House and Senate provided resolutions recognizing the campus opening, McIntyre said.

"Four years ago, I never would have envisioned a facility like this, which I think will be successful and continue to grow," said University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Thomas George.

Robert Nelson, president of the SLCC Board of Trustees, praised board members.

"Our board had the foresight to see residents' movement westward and purchased this land," Nelson said. "It's absolutely unbelievable what's happened here."

State Sen. John Griesheimer, R-Washington, said he, his wife and three kids all were educated at a community college. He called the new campus a true asset to the community.

And Zelema Harris, SLCC interim chancellor, said the Wildwood campus "is an expression of our commitment" to area residents.

You can contact Mary Shapiro at mshapiro@yourjournal.com.