Frank Grimes Center open for classes

Published or Revised August 30, 2013

With the cutting of a ribbon, appreciative crowds toured Paris Junior College’s W. Frank Grimes Center during the grand reopening Thursday morning. The south wing of the Administration Building will house PJC’s social sciences faculty offices and classrooms. “This is another exciting day for Paris Junior College,” said PJC President Dr. Pamela Anglin. “Since 1972 this building has been our Grimes Center for Natural Science and Mathematics and we moved that faculty over to the new Math and Science Building when it opened in January. “This building was completely gutted,” she said. “We left the exterior walls, the foundation and the roof. Everything else is brand new. It has the latest technology in it, as the Math and Science Building did. It has two ITV (interactive television) rooms where we can broadcast the classes to distant locations, school districts or our two centers. There are new classrooms, new faculty offices, two stair-step lecture centers, and it’s energy-efficient with lights on timers and motion sensors. We’re very glad for all of you to come today.” Those involved with the ribbon-cutting included PJC Board of Regents Vice President Louise Taylor, Secretary Berdie Gibson, Anne Wyche, Daigone Garner, Roma Street, Carlton Grant and Ginna Bowman. Also included were Vice President of Instruction Dr. Barbara Buchanan, Vice President of Student Services Dr. Curtis Hill, Dean of Math and Sciences Ed McCraw, and the social sciences faculty. The renovation cost $2 million for architectural fees, construction, new technology and furniture. There are seven classrooms, two lecture halls, 15 faculty offices and a new student lobby. “For several years we had higher enrollment than expected, and much more than we’d budgeted for,” said Dr. Anglin. “So this renovation was paid for by our students.”