March 21, 2016
On Friday, March 11, a $2.1 billion bond agreement adopted by the Virginia General Assembly includes construction funding for a new academic building at Laurel Ridge’s Fauquier Campus.
The 40,000-square-foot building will focus on STEM-H disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math, and health professions). The estimated cost of construction is $17 million.
Last fall, Governor McAuliffe included Laurel Ridge’s science building in his proposed $2.4 billion bond package to support research and economic development projects. Laurel Ridge’s building remained one of the approved projects in the bond compromise reached by the legislature.
“We are thrilled and eager to get started,” said Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy, Laurel Ridge’s President. “So many people in the Fauquier community have supported our campaign for a new building. Senator Jill Vogel and Delegate Scott Lingamfelter deserve special recognition for their advocacy and leadership at the state level.”
Before construction can begin, there are a variety of site work projects that must be completed, including excavation and bringing utilities to the building. The state does not cover the costs of site work for new construction at community colleges. Laurel Ridge is responsible for covering site work expenses at an approximate cost of $1.9 million, based on an estimate that is now three years old.
The Laurel Ridge Foundation has raised $1.75 million for the site work portion of the project, which includes the $1 million gift from the PATH Foundation, announced last month. The Laurel Ridge Foundation’s goal is to raise an additional $500,000 this year in order to have $2.25 million available for site work.
Two years ago, during the 2014 General Assembly session, Laurel Ridge’s science building was advanced to the planning phase. This phase precedes construction and involves permit approvals and building design.
It is highly unlikely that Laurel Ridge’s science building would have advanced to the planning phase without the $1 million gift in October 2013 from the William A. Hazel Family Foundation. The General Assembly required Laurel Ridge to pay for half of the planning expenses, because of the availability of this private donation.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.