CCC breaks ground on highly anticipated Beam Student Center

Staff Reports | Cleveland Community College

Because construction of the Beam Student Center is fully funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, these private donations will be used to support student scholarships. | Courtesy photo.

Cleveland Community College – CCC marked a historic milestone on Friday, May 1, with a ceremonial groundbreaking for its long-awaited student center, a transformative project designed to centralize and enhance services for students across campus.

The new facility, to be named the Beam Student Center in recognition of a landmark $3 million gift from Don and Carla Beam, the largest single donation in the College’s history, will serve as a hub for student success. The 43,000-square-foot building will bring together essential services including admissions, advising, registration, financial aid, and other wrap-around supports, all under one roof.

“For years, student services have been spread across campus—admissions, advising, financial aid, payments, TRIO, and Continuing Education all in different locations—making it harder than it should be for students to find what they need,” said Dr. Jason Hurst, president of Cleveland Community College. “The Beam Student Center will enhance the student experience from start to finish, helping us remove barriers, strengthen community, and support persistence so more students can reach their goals.”

In addition to the Beam family’s historic contribution, several other donors were recognized for their generosity and lasting impact. Steve and Micki Padgett have named the Career Center within the building, while David and Melissa White have named the Executive Conference Room.

Because construction of the Beam Student Center is fully funded by the North Carolina General Assembly, these private donations will be used to support student scholarships.

The ceremony drew a wide range of attendees, including state and local officials, members of the College’s Board of Trustees, county commissioners and former commissioners, former Trustees, faculty and staff, and community donors. The College was also honored by the presence of its first president, Dr. James Petty.

Dr. Hurst emphasized that the new building represents more than a physical structure, it reflects a long-standing vision and a commitment to student success.

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The new facility, to be named the Beam Student Center in recognition of a landmark $3 million gift from Don and Carla Beam, the largest single donation in the College’s history, will serve as a hub for student success. | CCC

Designed as the “heart of campus,” the Beam Student Center will welcome students from Marion Street and feature a redesigned surrounding area to create a more pedestrian-friendly, connected space for gathering and engagement.

“This building is about more than convenience—it’s about connection,” Dr. Hurst added. “As we break ground today, we mark more than the start of construction, we celebrate a milestone that has been years in the making, and we reaffirm our promise to serve students with excellence, compassion, and opportunity.”

The timing of the project underscores the College’s continued growth and momentum. In just two weeks, Cleveland Community College will graduate its largest class ever—for the fourth consecutive year.

The Beam Student Center stands as a powerful investment in the future of Cleveland Community College students, one that will shape their experience from their first step on campus to the moment they achieve their goals.

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This is a press release of Cleveland Community College. Photos used courtesy of CCC.