Central Piedmont Dedicates $113.4 Million Parr Center

College leaders, local elected officials and the benefactors for whom the building is named all took part in Central Piedmont Community College's dedication of the 184,000 square-foot Parr Center today.

The Parr Center is the largest building constructed in the college's 59-year history and serves as its first-ever student union. With its prominent location on Elizabeth Avenue, the Parr Center is the new front door to the college's Central Campus and its signature building. Named for college benefactors Wilton L. and Mary W. Parr and their generous support of Central Piedmont over many years, the Parr Center is located on the footprint of two previous college structures the Terrell Building and the Hagemeyer Learning Resource Center. The Parr Center's positioning allowed the college to expand the size of the main quad and provides striking new architecture along Elizabeth Avenue, the main street through Central Campus. The center opened to students and the public on July 5.

"We believe this building will help students be successful," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, Central Piedmont president. "The services they receive here, and the space provided where they can study, collaborate, mediate and, yes, rest, will help them persist and stay on the path to completion."

The Parr Center was constructed with Mecklenburg County bonds funds. George Dunlap, chair of the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, remarked those funds were well spent. "The Parr Center is a wonderful example of the county using its resources to help those institutions that serve this community," Dunlap said. "Working together the county and the college we have achieved this, and we all have a reason to be proud."

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said she was pleased the college designed the facility with students as the focus. "When I look at this magnificent new facility, knowing that it was conceived and built to serve students and enhance the student experience at Central Piedmont, I know it is another example of the college staying true to its mission," Lyles said.

Approximately 200 people attended the outdoor ceremony, which paid tribute to Dr. Richard Hagemeyer, Central Piedmont's first president and the namesake of the new Hagemeyer Library, located in the Parr Center. Also honored were Wilton and Mary Parr for their decades-long support of the college.

"I am proud of my association with Central Piedmont Community College. I truly enjoyed taking classes here; they were fantastic," Wilton Parr said. "It's my hope that current students and those to come all have a great experience as I did. I'm truly honored to have the Parr name on this wonderful building."

Other speakers at the ceremony included Linda Lockman-Brooks, chair of the Central Piedmont Board of Trustees; Matthew Hart, principal architect with Morris-Berg; Pat Rodgers, president and CEO of Rodgers Builders; and Kay Mahoney, Central Piedmont Student Government Association president.

Parr Center Details:

Square Footage: 184,000

Project Cost:  $113.4 million

Source of funding: Mecklenburg County bonds and other county funds
Project Managers: Rodgers and R.J. Leeper Construction
Architects: Morris Berg and Moody Nolan Architects

Parr Center Features:

  • the Hagemeyer Library, a 21st-century library with an outdoor reading room, and abundant study spaces;
  • a Student Union, with Welcome Center, Admissions, Students Services, Testing Center, Advising Services, Student Life, Mentoring & Bridge programs, and International programs;
  • Academic Learning Center;
  • a theater with seating for 450;
  • the Pauline Dove Art Gallery;
  • student commons with a collaborative stair;
  • food services, featuring Catalyst Coffee Bar, grab-n-go items, and a dining area;
  • multiple outdoor/rooftop terraces;
  • six multipurpose rooms;
  • collaboration/group-study rooms available for use by students, faculty, and staff; and
  • enlarged outdoor quad space, designed for outdoor programming.

Learn more about the Parr Center.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Campus, Foundation News.

City of Charlotte and Central Piedmont Enter a Workforce and Education Partnership

The City of Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College formalized a partnership for workforce development and education during a signing ceremony on Monday.

The partnership will provide better access to education, job training, career counseling and more for city employees and Central Piedmont students. For employees who do not currently hold post-secondary credentials, the city will pre-pay tuition and associated fees at Central Piedmont toward an associate degree or certificate programs. By offering a pre-payment program, the partnership is promoting upward mobility and removing a financial barrier.

"It's important we invest in our employees and provide opportunities to join our workforce," said City Manager Marcus D. Jones. "Through this partnership, we are preparing and reskilling our workforce for jobs of the future."

Central Piedmont students will also have the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience through City of Charlotte apprenticeships, co-ops and internship programs. The city has 13 registered apprenticeship occupations with 36 combined former and current participants. The co-op program is new and there are two participants in the year-long program. The city has more than 25 career fields students can explore, from construction to administration.

"Central Piedmont is thrilled and proud to establish this partnership with the City of Charlotte," said Dr. Kandi Deitemeyer, college president. "The college is eager to welcome and work with City of Charlotte employees as they seek further education and the re-skilling needed to advance their careers. At the same time, we are delighted our students will have the opportunity to gain invaluable experience and skills through work-based learning programs with the city. We believe this partnership, in time, can become a model for other cities and colleges to implement."

Central Piedmont offers more than 300 degree, diploma and certification programs through its six campuses located throughout Mecklenburg County. In addition to receiving a quality education, program participants will also have access to a variety of the college's student support services, including tutoring, coaching, career counseling and more.

Together, the City of Charlotte and Central Piedmont Community College are creating opportunities for upward mobility for city employees and the community.

Posted in Alumni, Announcements, Community, Foundation News. Tagged as workforce.