During her tenure as President of St. Clair College, Dr. Patti France made it her mission to create a space where students could have access to all necessary services in one location.
This fall semester, that vision became reality when France's lasting legacy project opened to students, and on Monday, Oct. 28, the Patti France Welcome Centre was officially celebrated with a ribbon cutting.
"Having this building named for me is an honour that has filled my heart," said Former President France.
During her nearly decade-long presidency of the College, Dr. France strongly advocated for a way to bring all student services from the various locations around main campus into one place, a "one-stop-shop" for incoming students to get the support they need to kick off the school year successfully and more seamlessly.
"I hope this facility will serve to recognize and remember my commitment - and that of all current St. Clair employees, and those who follow in our foot-steps - to our service on behalf of our cherished students," France said before a crowd of former colleagues, members of the Board of Governors, and friends.
While creating a Welcome Centre was one of Dr. France's highest priorities when she became president in 2015, life at the College shifted due to an influx of students and changing needs. But Dr. France didn't waver, and at her insistence, had the Welcome Centre project approved during her tenure.
"Patti, you were right all along," said St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi. "As you've been asserting, advocating, lobbying, begging for, and demanding for at least two-thirds of your career, St. Clair has desperately needed to centralize its student services in this manner, in a facility of this scope and appearance."
"I hope that this better-late-than-never unveiling of your vision meets with your approval, and you will be happy to know that, even in your retirement, your philosophy of providing the best services possible to student's lives at the College has been achieved, as this Welcome Centre is poised to serve students with new-and-improved convenience, efficiency and effectiveness for generations to come."
Students have been using the 16,000 square foot Welcome Centre since the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, and have enjoyed many upgraded features, including added stations, a new queuing system, and a beautiful, tranquil space.
The Registrar's Office, Financial Aid, OneCard, International Student Office and Academic Advising all serve students in one location, year-round. During the first few weeks of school, Parking Services is also located in the Welcome Centre, truly making it a one-stop-shop for all student needs.
"The construction of new facilities of this sort carries an important message to students: It means that the College cares deeply about providing us not just with knowledge in our classrooms and skills in our labs and workshops, but also with exceptional services to pursue our educations," said Rishi Vatish, the President of the Student Representative Council.
"Those services have existed for years, of course, but by developing this new facility, the College is confirming the philosophy that when it comes to supporting and assisting its students, just being good enough is not good enough," Vatish said. "Those services have been made even better - have been made the best possible - by housing them in a setting that is so much more accessible, convenient and attractive than was previously the case."
The cost of the Welcome Centre was $10.5 million. Construction was aided by a substantial donation from the College's Alumni Association and the facility's atrium is named in the association's honour.
"On behalf of the St. Clair College Alumni Association, we are incredibly proud to support the new Patti France Welcome Centre. When we learned that this centre would house all essential student services and departments under one roof, our board was fully all in," said Belinda Bulhoes, the President of the Alumni Association.
"Many of us reflected on our own time as students, remembering how these vital services were spread across campus. The convenience and accessibility of the new centre will make a world of difference, especially during the busy start-up period," Bulhoes said. "We are always pleased to invest in initiatives that enhance the student experience, and this centre is a reflection of that commitment."
Board of Governors Vice-Chair Charlie Hotham was at the ribbon-cutting Monday and said the Welcome Centre was Dr. France's vision and legacy at the College, a student service she pushed for the better part of her career.
"The Board also asserted that Patti - as both a St. Clair employee and as a human being - has been the epitome of the word, and the philosophy, of ‘welcome,'" said Hotham.
"Governors, staff, our many partners in the community, and especially students can attest to this: her smiling face, her positive and optimistic nature, her promotion of St. Clair, and her advocacy of postsecondary education and life-long learning - All of those traits meant that people felt welcomed to St. Clair, welcomed at St. Clair, by Patti," said Hotham.
The Welcome Centre was designed by Architecttura Inc. and built by Oscar Construction.
"Thank you to the architects, engineers and contractors for their brilliant and dedicated design and on-site work," said France. "You have all made my wishes - and my original wish-list priority - come true."
"It has definitely been worth the wait."
