What at first appeared as a stairway to nowhere now has a fresh destination at the top, making the trek from the parking lot at Three Rivers College to pretty much anywhere else on campus now less tedious.
In a Wednesday afternoon ceremony, the College revealed a new brick pathway at the top of the steps featuring 3,600 bricks, officials said. A focal point for the campus, some have been engraved with names and mementos of former students, employees, and others whose lives have been affected by TRC.
In addition, guests were encouraged to view the recently renovated walkways spanning throughout and refinished parking lots, a result of funding from House Bill 19.
Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne said all campus pathways now connect, are wider, smoother and Americans with Disabilities Act accessible.
Instead of journeying directly up the hillside on narrow, crumbling sidewalks adjacent to the roadway, students may now use the new staircase, complete with landings for those needing to catch a breather during the hike.
The personalized bricks were made available through the Three Rivers College Endowment Trust at $100 each as part of a campus beautification project. The Endowment Trust uses funds generated through various campaigns to benefit TRC students.
According to Three Rivers Director of Development Michelle Reynolds the brick campaign allows donors to leave a legacy and also provides an attractive centerpiece for students to enjoy.
"This is a lasting way people can show their support for Three Rivers," Reynolds said. "For individuals, a commemorative brick can serve as a memorial for their time spent here as either a student or an employee and for a business it can be a reflection of its support for the college."
Reynolds said bricks will continue to be available until "there is nowhere else to put them."
Diane Patterson has been affiliated with TRC for 20 years. She said prior to the sidewalk renovation, the terrain was treacherous.
"It took several different sidewalks to get up to the Westover Building or anywhere up here," Patterson said. "It wasn't very safe, really. The sidewalks were crooked, they didn't have any railings to hold onto."
Patterson said the improvements have been "a very nice" addition to the campus.
"The fact that you can get from Tinnin to Westover is fabulous," she added. "The students still complain about the hill, but you can't make that go away. It's been great."
To purchase a brick from the Endowment Trust, contact Reynolds at 573-840-9077 or through email at michellereynolds@trcc.edu. Orders may also be placed online at trcc.edu/development/give