FVCC opens new library, student center
Jerome Broussard cuts the ribbon outside the new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Beth Lendrum, right, and artist Jeannine Young stand aside Young’s sculpture titled “Letting Go” that was unveiled before a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside Flathead Valley Community College’s new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Flathead Valley Community College president Jane Karas addresses visitors gathered before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the college’s new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Flathead Valley Community College student Sarah Cloninger studies in a new Brody WorkLounge as visitors tour the Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Visitors tour Flathead Valley Community College’s new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Jerome Broussard and Jane Karas, president of Flathead Valley Community College, embrace before Broussard addressed the crowd gathered before a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the college’s new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons on Thursday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
There were hugs, applause and big smiles as Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday officially opened the doors to the new Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons.
Made possible by a lead gift of $2.5 million from the Broussard family, the new facility includes a library with leading-edge technologies, collaborative spaces for small group projects, a Makerspace and a virtual reality lab. Jerome Broussard and FVCC President Jane Karas spoke at the opening ceremony.
In addition to the celebratory ribbon-cutting, a sculpture titled “Letting Go,” by Jeannine Young, also was unveiled outside the new center.
Located on the south edge of campus, the Broussard Family Library and Learning Commons represents the first of a two-phase expansion of the FVCC campus. The second phase is the development of a College Center to include a large performance and lecture hall, a multipurpose activity center, an outdoor amphitheater and a reception hall with an art exhibition gallery.
As part of the ONE Campaign, the FVCC Foundation has raised approximately $14.3 million for the $15 million College Center project.