Sandhills Community College celebrated the opening of the Frick Innovation and Technology Center in Van Dusen Hall on Wednesday, November 28 with recognitions and acknowledgements, a ribbon-cutting, and a visit to the rooms.
Speaking were John Dempsey, president of SCC, George Little, chairman of the Board of Trustees, Andrea Korte, vice president of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, and Ed Frick. Many community and Foundation Board members, faculty, and staff were present.
It was both the professional and recent educational experience of Ed Frick that ignited his desire to assist with the funding of a robust renovation of the Technology Labs located in Van Dusen Hall. The Labs are primarily used for Continuing Education programs and other training.
While taking a Technology Training class last year, Frick and saw first-hand the added instructional value a dynamic surrounding could offer students taking such courses.
“I wanted these labs to have a “wow factor,” said Frick. “Students should learn in an environment that is state-of-the-art, one that makes those attending feel like they are receiving training that will take them into the next century.”
Influenced by the works of Steve Jobs, Ed’s desire was for the Labs to have a cutting-edge design. “I felt that the project could impact community members of all ages, from youth in summer camps to senior citizens learning technology for the first time, from budding entrepreneurs to industry employees needing to brush up on skills.”
“There will be a maximum return on Ed’s generosity,” said Korte.
Woven in Frick’s passion for the project was a mixture of sales, technological, leadership, and entrepreneurial expertise. Frick served as a systems engineer and marketing representative for IBM. During that tenure, he designed and installed IBM’s first worldwide online banking system and their first banking computer network.
Additionally, Frick received a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard University and served in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. He also won the light heavyweight Golden Gloves Championship, apropos with one of his favorite quotes, “Don’t confuse effort with results,” which is on one of the walls of the lab.
“We are so happy to unveil this new environment and present it to our community. We are grateful that Ed saw a need and responded. It’s people like Ed that make ours the premier community college in the state, if not the nation.” said Korte.
Feature photo: The Frick Innovation and Technology Center in Van Dusen Hall at Sandhills Community College was opened on Wednesday, November 28. Pictured from left to right are John Dempsey, president of SCC, Lori Williams, associate dean of Continuing Education Operations, Ed Frick, George Little, chairman of the SCC Board of Trustees, and Lori Degre, director of Allied Health, Career Training and Online Programs.
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