On Wednesday, May 2, the $$Charlottesville Campus celebrated its new home with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. More than 100 members of the community were in attendance, with the weather cooperating nicely.
Campus Director Kelly Chamberlain welcomed the guests and paid tribute to the tireless effort of the faculty and staff of the campus. He also noted that the new campus was not merely a change of location, but a custom-built facility that will offer the students an even better learning environment while preserving the comfortable, family-like atmosphere that National College is known for.
Timothy Hulbert, president & CEO of the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, recognized the college and its graduates and their contribution to the local community as he introduced the featured speaker, Delegate Rob Bell.
Del. Bell, who has represented the Charlottesville area since 2002, echoed Mr. Hulbert’s sentiments, adding that National College addressed key workforce needs that colleges like the University of Virginia do not. He added – perhaps jokingly – that with the growth of National’s Charlottesville Campus, the city may “finally be known as a ‘college town’.”
National College President Frank Longaker also made a few remarks, commending students for their hard work in pursuing their studies. He paid tribute especially to the campus’s many veteran students, in particular recognizing student Charley Smith, a Marine Corps veteran and current reservist studying business administration-management.
It was a fitting recognition for the Charlottesville Campus and a positive development for the community.
PHOTO: (l to r) National’s Regional Director of Agency Development Toni Freeman, Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce President Timothy Hulbert, National’s Vice President Lenora Downing, Delegate Rob Bell, National’s President Frank Longaker, APSCU President Steve Gunderson, Charlottesville Campus Director Kelly Chamberlain, and Jennifere Clayton, Corporate Training Director for the National College School of Professional Development.
