Ribbon Cutting for Three Rivers-Sikeston to be March 20
A ribbon cutting for the new location of Three Rivers-Sikeston will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 20, at the new facility at 1400 S. Main. Following the ribbon cutting, an open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“We are extremely proud of the new facility,” said Three Rivers-Sikeston Director Missy Marshall. “It is expanding the opportunities for the college to serve the region. It will allow us to educate more students; offer more classes, programs and degrees; increase workforce training; and provide more services to the community.”
The new $7 million Three Rivers-Sikeston, which opened for classes in January, is a 36,000-square-foot facility that features 17 classrooms, including three ITV rooms, four computer labs, and two science labs; a Learning Resource Center; and LPN-to-RN Bridge Program facilities with a state-of-the-art simulation lab. There is also an auditorium/community meeting room that doubles as a 770-person storm shelter.
Construction of the building began in August 2013. Because of Three Rivers’ enrollment growth in Sikeston, the former facility on Kathleen Street had reached capacity. The new facility has the capacity to serve 1,500 students a semester, triple what Kathleen Street location allowed.
“The new facility was needed, not just for Sikeston, but for New Madrid, for Charleston, and East Prairie and Chaffee, for anybody who wants to go to college or who wants to better themselves in the workforce,” Marshall said. “That’s what we’re here for. We try to be responsive to the community and give them the programs that they’re asking for.”
Three Rivers President Dr. Wesley Payne emphasized the importance of community support is making the Three Rivers-Sikeston facility a reality.
“Beginning with the generous donation of 70 acres at the intersection of Highways 60 and 61 from Scott and Karen Matthews and Drs. Elizabeth and Mike Brunt, there has been tremendous support for this project in the region,” he said. “Area residents have contributed land, money, services, and time to helping us build this outstanding new facility.”
There are 10 associate degree programs that can be completed at Three Rivers-Sikeston: general education, agriculture, business administration, business education, criminal justice, diversified technology, early childhood development, education, LPN-RN bridge, and paraprofessional educator. Other degrees are available through a combination of online and on-site courses.
For more information about enrolling in classes, workforce training programs, the use of the community room, or making a donation, call Three Rivers-Sikeston at 573-472-5223.
Three Rivers College is committed to contributing to the quality of life in Southeast Missouri with quality, affordable higher education opportunities and community services that support and encourage the economic, civic, and cultural vitality of the region. For more information about college and workforce programs and upcoming events, visit trcc.edu.