North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Cleveland Community College marked a major construction milestone May 1 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new student centre that is expected to significantly reshape how students access services and support across campus.
The 43,000-square-foot facility will be named the Beam Student Center, recognizing a $3 million donation from Don and Carla Beam — the largest private gift in the college’s history. Once complete, the building will consolidate a range of student services currently spread across campus, including admissions, advising, registration, financial aid and other supports.
College officials say the goal is to create a more seamless experience for students navigating key processes from enrollment through graduation.
The project also includes several additional donor recognitions. Steve and Micki Padgett have named the Career Center, while David and Melissa White have named the Executive Conference Room. Because construction is fully funded through the North Carolina General Assembly, private contributions will be directed toward student scholarships.
The ceremony brought together members of the college community, including trustees, faculty and staff, donors, county representatives and special guests, including Dr. James Petty, the institution’s first president.
Planned as a central gathering point on campus, the Beam Student Center will face Marion Street and feature redesigned outdoor spaces intended to improve pedestrian flow and strengthen connections between buildings. The design emphasizes accessibility and a more cohesive campus layout.
Once completed, the facility is expected to serve as a central hub for student engagement and support services, aligning with the college’s broader efforts to improve retention and completion rates.
The groundbreaking comes as the college continues to experience record enrollment trends, with another graduating class expected later this month that would mark the largest in its history for the fourth consecutive year.