FSCC to dedicate newest building April 25

The doors of the first new academic building on the Fort Scott Community College campus in 20 years will be open to the public next month.

FSCC officials said they are pleased to announce plans for the dedication ceremony of the new Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, which is scheduled to take place April 25. Dedication activities will begin at 1 p.m. with guest speakers representing those businesses and individuals who played fundamental roles in the formation of the new building.

Following the dedication ceremony, FSCC will host its first-ever Community Appreciation Day, which FSCC officials designed to thank community members for supporting the college. The campus is scheduled to be open April 25 for a full day of free events and activities, including food, activities for children, adult classes, displays, and other entertainment.

"Community Appreciation Day gives FSCC the opportunity to show community members how much their support is appreciated," FSCC President Clayton Tatro said. "Community is part of our name and our mission."

A performance by the FSCC Jazz Band in the lobby of the fine arts center will follow the dedication ceremony. Between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m., attendees will be invited to tour the college campus, enjoy free refreshments, view displays of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and John Deere tractors, and tour an exhibit designed by staff at Captured Images, a local photography studio.

At 2:30 p.m., free classes and other activities are scheduled to begin. Classes offered will give interested adults information on fishing, speaking Spanish, computer basics, crime scene investigation techniques, job interview skills, flower arranging, knitting, and other subjects. Activities available for kids will include mini-camps provided by FSCC athletic program staff, and a story book and crafts area. There will also be a preview of the FSCC spring musical, "Once Upon a Mattress," the first college performance in the new fine arts center.

About 50 FSCC staff members have volunteered their assistance to help organize and conduct the event, FSCC Public Relations Director Kathleen Hinrichs said.

As activities conclude on the main campus, attendees will be invited to attend the FSCC Spring Football Bash at 4 p.m. at the college's football practice field. The spring game will allow fans their first opportunity to watch the 2010 FSCC Greyhounds in action.

More details are set to be released closer to the date of the event.

The fine arts center is named after local philanthropists Danny and Willa Ellis, and their son, Chris Ellis of the Ellis Foundation. The center will house the Gordon Parks Museum and Center for Culture and Diversity, the Kathy Ellis Academic Hall, a 600-seat theater and auditorium, as well as classrooms and office space for FSCC art, music, theatre and speech programs.

The grand opening event for the fine arts center will feature a performance by the Kansas City Symphony at 7:30 p.m. April 18. Tickets for that show cost $25 and seating is reserved. Tours of the center will also be available prior to the concert, officials said.

A limited number of tickets are available at the FSCC Gordon Parks Center, 2108 S. Horton St., and at the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, 231 E. Wall St. Tickets can also be purchased by calling the college at (620) 223-2700.

Contact Hinrichs for more information on the fine arts center dedication or Community Appreciation Day.