By Gary Nager
If you missed the official dedication ceremony for the new Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch on April 2, you probably don’t realize just how important the new PHSC is likely to be to the future of not only Wesley Chapel, but of all of eastern and central Pasco County and even New Tampa.
As we’ve reported more often than any other local media, PHSC opened its doors to students in January as the fifth campus of Pasco Hernando Community College (PHCC), but was renamed PHSC (as were the other four then-PHCC campuses) later that month. It was the incredible, new, seven-story Porter Campus of PHSC itself that was dedicated Apr. 2, with at least 300 people stuffed into the campus’ auditorium.
The emcee for the evening was the game-show-host affable Provost of the Porter Campus, Stanley Giannet, Ph.D., who introduced dozens of dignitaries with his usual flair, including the Porter family (the developers of Wiregrass Ranch who donated the 60 acres of land for the new college), PHSC president Katherine M. Johnson, Ed.D.,, PHSC District Board of Trustees chair Frank Rygiel, Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce president Jeff Novotny, Florida Architects, Inc. (who designed the impressive campus) director of design Joe Sorci and Skanska USA Building, Inc. (who constructed the campus) senior VP Roger Stephan.
The ceremony opened with a rendition of the National Anthem by the Double Branch Elementary chorus, “60 students we know will be future students at PHSC,” Giannet told the crowd.
“The Porter family has a vision,” said Johnson. “They decided to reserve this land for higher education. (PHSC) is forever grateful that (the Porters) have entrusted us with this land.”
FHWC Invests In PHSC
Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel (FHWC) also was honored during the dedication for its $350,000 grant donation to the new college campus, which first will be used to fund at least 50, $1,000, one-year scholarships for future PHSC Porter Campus students. In addition to the scholarships, Dr. Johnson also announced that three areas of the new State College would be named for FHWC — the outdoor terrace, the student meeting area and the Porter Campus’ nursing laboratory.
“It’s exciting for us at (FHWC) to see this college coming up out of the ground with so many nursing and allied health field opportunities changing future generations on this campus, right here in Wesley Chapel,” said FHWC chief financial officer Mike Lukens. “Now Wiregrass Ranch has a great place to shop (the Shops at Wiregrass Ranch), get great health care (at FHWC) and a great education. It shows the vision of the local community, business leaders and residents, who wanted and needed quality services at their doorstep.”
As the Chamber president, Novotny also praised PHSC.
“It’s easy to see how the community has grown and proven (that there is) a need for an institution like PHSC,” Novotny said. “This campus opens educational opportunities for adults to help improve their quality of life. We thank you for making Wesley Chapel a college town.”
Among the local companies and groups who contributed to the dedication were Signarama of New Tampa, the Wiregrass Ranch High (WRH) Jazz Band and String Quartet. Food for the event was provided by A Dash of Salt & Pepper Catering, Big Apple Bagels, GrillSmith, Latin Twist Café, O.T.B. Café, the WRH Culinary Arts Program and Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor.
If you missed the ceremony, but want to help PHSC celebrate becoming a State College and the dedication of the Porter Campus, check out the second annual PHSC “Bash at the Ranch” on Saturday, April 12, 6 p.m., at the 4G+1 Ranch, located off S.R. 52 in Land O’Lakes. All proceeds from the Bash will go toward PHSC Foundation-endowed scholarships. Or, call PHSC’s Porter Campus at 527-6615 or visit PHSC.edu.
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