A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Wednesday afternoon to introduce the public to the expanded Harry Crisp Sr. Technology Center. The expansion houses additional classrooms, an updated maintenance building and a new fire science lab, according to Three Rivers College chief academic officer Sherry Phelan. The Crisp Center contains the criminal justice, construction, fire science, information technology and workforce development programs.
“We are proud to be able to provide students in our region greater access to education and training to prepare them for the workforce and lifelong careers in their chosen fields,” Phelan said.
The building’s namesake, Pepsi MidAmerica owner and chairman Crisp, was present, as were TRC Board of Trustees chair Gary Featherston, department chair of career studies and workforce development Will Cooper and former state representative and Speaker of the House Todd Richardson.
A donation from Crisp in the 1990s is what made the building possible, Phelan explained.
At the podium, Crisp said, “My heart is really close to the community college system, and I think it’s really one of the best assets you can have in your community.”
Richardson was also recognized for securing state funding for the expansion during his time in the Missouri House of Representatives.
“Thank you — without your efforts the expansion of the Crisp Technology Center would not be possible,” said Cooper.
The Crisp Center’s new educational assets are simulation programs in the criminal justice labs and classrooms, adjoining classrooms and lab spaces for the information technology and workforce development programs, classrooms for fire science and space for the manufacturing, construction, safety and community health classes.