BEATRICE - With students moving in for the fall semester that begins next week, Southeast Community College cut the ribbon to officially open Homestead Hall in Beatrice, on Thursday.

It’s a new three-story student residence hall, with room for about 150 students in varying room occupancies.

Campus President Bob Morgan says a lot of changes have been going on at the local campus, with the residence hall, a new dining hall nearing completion, and the start of a new classroom building nearby.

Morgan said the projects are possible because of the commitment of the Southeast Community College Board of Governors toward a strategic plan to grow the college. SCC President, Dr. Paul Illich said one of the community college’s objectives has been to produce more skilled workers for the region.
Illich says one of the trends in community colleges the past two decades is providing student housing.

Campus Director Morgan said it was great to see students moving in, even as the grand opening activities were taking place.

Immediately to the south, a final fire inspection was being done Thursday on the new SCC-Beatrice dining hall, which should soon be ready for students who will be on a first-time meal plan at the Beatrice Campus. Morgan says the school should be able to occupy the building by the end of this month. The hope is that meals will be served starting right after the Labor Day holiday.

Several SCC Board members and Beatrice Community leaders attended the grand opening, including Beatrice Mayor Stan Wirth.
SCC reported this week that 8,500 students had already registered across the college system for the fall semester. Illich says that number could grow to near ten-thousand.