A view of construction progress in August 2011. For a current view, go to www.palmer.edu/
flconstruction to see images of the construction site that are updated every 30 seconds. |
With every concrete block and steel segment
that is added, the reality of a third
building on the Florida Campus draws
closer, and excitement builds over the
prospect of additional space, particularly
among students. “When I talk with students
attending other chiropractic colleges,
they emphasize their student centers,”
said Jordan Dusold, a 5th quarter
student from Cincinnati, Ohio. “It will be
great for us to have a place of our own
that we can be proud of.”
The first level of Building Three will
incorporate the existing Java City structure
into a larger cafeteria with added features
such as the ability to prepare and offer
more varied menu items due to additional
space and equipment. Increased
seating will provide a panoramic view of
the campus, including an outdoor patio
overlooking the pond. The remaining
space on the first level will be used for
a new and larger bookstore.
Building Three’s second level will primarily
be a large meeting area capable of being
partitioned into three smaller meeting
rooms and designed to seat a maximum
of 500 people. It will be used for meetings,
continuing education classes,
Homecoming activities and graduation
ceremonies for smaller-sized classes.
“The new building will provide the
students with a central focus point for
student activities,” said George Bertish,
M.B.A., director of Institutional Support.
“It will in effect be the student center for
the Florida Campus.”
The excitement created by the growth of
the Florida Campus is not only felt by students,
staff and faculty, but also by the
Florida chiropractic community. “There is
a growing sense of pride and ownership
in our Florida Campus throughout the
Florida chiropractic community,” said
Florida Campus President Peter Martin,
D.C. Dr. Martin has worked closely with
the Development Office for the past few
months, and added, “There are plans to
launch a capital campaign in the near
future to help offset the cost of the $4 million,
14,000-square-foot building project.”
The community’s business sector is also
supportive of the campus growth. “Palmer
has been a wonderful institution for our
community,” said Debbie Connors, executive
director of the Port Orange-South
Daytona Chamber of Commerce. “They
have created employment opportunities
by their presence. Palmer students are
great citizens who reside locally, with
many remaining in the area to open new
practices and raise families. Bringing
Palmer to our community has to be one
of the most beneficial economic developments
a city can experience. It’s added a
whole new dimension to the Port Orange
and South Daytona community. We are
excited and pleased by their growth.”