PCC celebrates SE Campus on SE 82nd Avenue of Roses

See why they held this festivity, as the construction comes to a conclusion at the college …

People from all over outer East Portland come to learn about new classes being offered at the PCC Southeast Campus.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

Although canopies were set up in the new campus “quad” against possible rainstorms that didn’t materialize, it was a festive day at Portland Community College (PCC) Southeast Center on October 18 as they held a “community party”.

“We’re celebrating the completion of what we’re now calling our ‘Southeast Campus’,” said PCC Public Relations Manager Kate Chester.

PCC Public Relations Manager Kate Chester calls the event a “Community Celebration” to officially dedicate the PCC Southeast Campus.

PCC President Jeremy Brown added, “At long last, we’re able to bring a full menu of offerings – in terms of technology, courses, facilities, and services – to our students and staff at Southeast. Instead of a two-building ‘center’, there’s now a feeling that this is a real college campus.”

The transformation came about, thanks to the voter-approved bond measure in 2008, Chester told East Portland News. “On this campus, it has grown to include a brand-new library, and a student commons – as well as a new administrative office complex that used to be the old German-American Society building.

The Fedchyk Family, who emigrated to the U.S. in 2003 from Ukraine, vocally entertains with Russian songs.

Micah Smith learns how to fly an airplane using a computerized simulator, with the help of PCC Flight Instructor Candidate Chris Thatcher.

“Now, students can come to this campus and have all of the classes and services needed to get them their Associate Degree right here,” Chester continued, “which means they don’t need to travel and take some classes at other campuses.”

The day-long event was called a “celebration”, Chester pointed out, “Because our ‘middle name’ is ‘community’. Today, we have a variety of different community entertainers, including music and dance, for example. And, we thank our community for supporting PCC, and allowing us to give back to it, in terms of higher education.”

Checking his MIG-welded seam is PCC Southeast Campus welding student Paul Mckee.

The music playing in the “auditorium tent” provided the soundtrack for the celebration, as instructors and students gave demonstrations of some of the skills and topics now taught at the Southeast Campus.

Find out more about the Portland Community College Southeast Campus at their website: CLICK HERE.

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