North Platte Community College’s Health and Science Center expansion project received a major boost this week thanks to First National Bank of Omaha.
FNBO contributed $100,000 toward the project Monday during a check presentation at the college.
MPCC President Ryan Purdy said the NPCC Health and Science Center expansion would not be possible without the generosity and support of the Mid-Plains Community College area.
“FNBO made a generous gift in 2011 toward the initial Health and Science Center construction,” said Purdy. “They have confirmed their continued support with this additional gift toward the expansion to allow for additional enrollments in the college’s health care programs.”
Meeting a need
The Health and Science Center is located on NPCC’s South Campus. Constructed in 2012, it is home to the college’s nursing, medical laboratory technician, emergency medical services, paramedic, dental assisting, math, biology, physics and engineering programs.
As the demand for more nurses and health care professionals has increased throughout the college’s 18-county service area and beyond, so has the need for more space to train those professionals.
The planned expansion of the building will include additional classrooms to accommodate increased enrollment in nursing courses, lab space for nursing and emergency services and an office area for new faculty.
Conference rooms, a classroom with flexible table and chair arrangements, private workspaces for students and a virtual innovation lab will also be constructed to complement existing programming and enhance learning experiences.
Construction is anticipated to start by spring of 2022.
The total cost of the project is expected to be nearly $4 million.
Those interested in contributing to the expansion project can contact Kayla Thurman, the college’s interim director of Institutional Advancement, at thurmank@mpcc.edu or (308) 535-3607.