Brunswick, OH –Tri-C President Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton, Brunswick Vice-Mayor
Joseph Delsanter and representatives from five area colleges unveiled plans for two
separate buildings which will allow northern Medina County residents to earn
associate, bachelor’s and eventually master’s degrees, without ever leaving Brunswick.
The unveiling took place at Brunswick Recreation Center, 4095 Center Road, this morning before a standing-room-only crowd of city, school and business leaders from northern Medina.
Preliminarily titled the Brunswick Higher Education Center, the buildings were designed by Robert Maschke Architects, Inc. and include space for specialized workforce development programs, as well as computer labs, classrooms and offices.
“Brunswick is known for its excellent schools, and now we can offer residents outstanding educational opportunities from kindergarten through college,” Delsanter said. “We are so pleased to enter this partnership with Tri-C, ensuring accessible and affordable higher education for all residents of northern Medina County.”
Financing is currently being arranged by the City of Brunswick to pay for the buildings, estimated to cost about $10 million. Tri-C will then lease the building for 15 to 20 years, with an option to renew, according to Delsanter.
Tri-C has offered college courses at Brunswick High School for three years, with
enrollment more than doubling each year. Currently more than 300 students are enrolled in 25 course offerings such as Economics, English, Math and Speech Communication. With the new building, there are also options for workforce training programs to help people qualify for emerging jobs.
“Tri-C is only part of this equation,” said Dr. Patricia Rowell, Tri-C Western Campus president. “We have been working with a number of colleges and universities so that when our students complete an associate’s degree, they can make a seamless transition into advanced degrees here at Brunswick.”
Preliminary partners include Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Cleveland State University, Tiffin University and Ursuline College, Rowell said. Tri-C will contract with each institution to offer specific courses of instruction for degrees in areas such as education, business, criminal justice and health care.