Novemeber 15, 2005
College Board renames Center for the Arts
The South Puget Sound Community College Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its Nov. 10 meeting to rename the college’s Center for the Arts the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts. Minnaert, the current president of the college, will retire at the end of the academic year after 30 years of service.
“The long-held sentiment by past and present members of the Board of Trustees is to name the Center for the Arts after President Minnaert in honor of his contributions to the college,” said Board Chair Leonor Fuller. “Of all the buildings on the campus, the Center for the Arts best symbolizes Dr. Minnaert’s vision to create a fully comprehensive community college.”
The Board approved a motion to rename the Center in time for its upcoming dedication in January. The Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts is the signature building for the campus. It brings the entire Humanities and Communication Division under one roof, and provides a permanent home for the college’s fine and performing arts programs.
The Center includes a black box theatre and a 500-seat main stage theatre; classrooms for choir, instrumental music and electronic music, as well as practice rooms and a secure place to store instruments. The building houses a general art lab, a ceramics lab, a lab for drawing and printmaking, and an exhibition gallery.
“The building will attract and welcome many members of the community to campus. In this way, it will continue Dr. Minnaert's commitment to engage the college in community outreach efforts.” Fuller said.
A noontime dedication ceremony will be held January 19, 2006.