August 17, 2021
Excitement, interest and Pioneer pride were all felt and seen at two events held in August to celebrate the opening of Delta College’s new Downtown Midland Center.
Many community members, Delta students and families attended the grand-opening public open house August 7, where they took tours of the new building, talked with faculty and staff, and enjoyed activities. A formal dedication ceremony took place August 12 that was attended by local legislators, supporters and donors.
“This remarkable building represents an investment by this community in the local workforce, in our students and in the future,” said Delta College President Emeritus Dr. Jean Goodnow. “It also represents Delta’s commitment to education for decades to come.”
Goodnow said the new center marks the completion of a multi-year effort to bring Delta to downtown areas in the three major districts it serves: Bay City, Midland and Saginaw.
“Residents expressed the need for more accessible locations, with programs that lead to good careers. This is a culmination of that significant effort,” she said at the dedication event.
Delta College President Dr. Michael Gavin said the new building will provide educational opportunities for all students, including high school students, regardless of their busy schedules and travel struggles.
“Delta is focused on helping to train and educate the workers needed for all businesses in our region,” he said.
Open for classes in August
The new building, located at 419 East Ellsworth St., will serve the educational needs of students from Midland and the surrounding areas. Seven different programs will be offered, including associate in arts, associate in science, digital forensics, entrepreneur/small business, environmental technology, management and an advanced certificate in health foundations.
The new facility is now open and classes for the fall semester begin August 28. Students can take business, health, science and transfer courses in a variety of online and face-to-face formats. Begin the registration process at delta.edu/admissions-aid.
Free parking is available in the covered parking structure on East Ellsworth St.
Spence Brothers began construction on the building in fall 2019. The facility includes science and computer labs, classrooms, special-use training rooms and student services. It will bring new opportunities for innovation, and programs will focus on STEM to meet the need of area employers.
The building construction cost $13 million, with more than $9 million provided by community donors. Major funding was provided by Dow and the Dow Corning Foundation. Additional funders include the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, Harry A. and Margaret D. Towsley Foundation and Charles J. Strosacker Foundation. The building’s site was donated by Chemical Bank and Dow.
For more information, visit delta.edu/midland.
Written by Leah Twilley, Communications Specialist.