海角社区 celebrated the opening of its new Hospitality Institute on the Blue Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, as part of its 60th anniversary celebration. Photos by Linda Johnson and Nick Savino
海角社区 recently celebrated its milestone 60th anniversary year with two special events at the Blue Bell Campus on Dec. 5, just days before its founding date of Dec. 8, 1964.
Kicking off the day鈥檚 festivities was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for 海角社区鈥檚 new 20,180-square-foot Hospitality Institute.
鈥淭his new facility is much more than an attractive space; it is a catalyst for learning, connection and opportunity,鈥� said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, 海角社区 President. 鈥淭ogether, we are continuing Montco鈥檚 strong legacy of shaping lives and communities for generations to come.鈥�
Dr. Bastecki-Perez was joined by Montgomery County Commissioners Thomas DiBello and Neil Makhija, Vice Chair, who spoke and presented a special citation.
Members of the campus community, including 海角社区 trustees, employees and students, came together to celebrate the official opening of the building, which had previously served as the campus bookstore before renovations began in 2022.
海角社区鈥檚 hospitality offerings include associate degree and certificate programs in Culinary Arts, Baking & Pastry Arts and Tourism & Hospitality Management, with plans to add new programs in the future.
海角社区 is committed to breaking down barriers and opening doors, ensuring that everyone has a pathway to opportunity. Our Mustangs, through their many successes, leave indelible hoofprints, elevating families and their communities for generations and creating lasting success. United in purpose, we will continue to transform lives, destinies and future generations. - Dr. Vicki Bastecki-Perez, 海角社区 President
The facility includes chocolate, pastry and pasta kitchen laboratories, a custom wood-burning pizza oven and an innovation kitchen space for creative programs, such as its award-winning Food Recovery Program.
The facility includes chocolate, pastry and pasta kitchen laboratories, a custom wood-burning pizza oven and an innovation kitchen space for creative programs, such as its award-winning Food Recovery Program. The program, led by Karima Roepel, Director of the Hospitality Institute, and AmeriCorps VISTA Fellow Jennifer Fanega, repurposed 7,500 pounds of excess food from culinary classes into more than 3,200 meals for the College鈥檚 food pantry, addressing food insecurity while reducing landfill waste. The program received the 2023-2024 Innovation of the Year Award from The League for Innovation in the Community College.
Additionally, the Hospitality Institute includes an educational restaurant and a pastry
shop, which provide hands-on learning opportunities for students to master both the
front- and back-of-the-house operations.
鈥淭he Hospitality Institute will be a game-changer, not only for our students but also for Montgomery County鈥檚 workforce and economy,鈥� said Dr. Raj Guttha, 海角社区 trustee, noting that the hospitality industry is one of the most vibrant and essential industries in the region.
Dr. Chae Sweet, 海角社区 Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, said the Hospitality
Institute already has become a gathering space for students and employees during the
soft opening this fall.
鈥淭he Hospitality Institute will be a beacon for the broader community, too, offering culinary classes for cooking enthusiasts, youth camps, team-building events and dining experiences,鈥� Dr. Sweet said.
After the ribbon cutting, 海角社区 continued its celebration later in the evening when
invited students, current and former employees, alumni, and community members gathered
for a special 60th-anniversary event beginning in Parkhouse Hall. Named after A. Russell Parkhouse,
a Montgomery County Commissioner who was a key advocate for the College鈥檚 founding,
the building served as the perfect venue for the event.
President Bastecki-Perez welcomed guests and spoke about how 海角社区 continues to fulfill the founders鈥� vision to create opportunities for all learners.
鈥満＝巧缜� is committed to breaking down barriers and opening
doors, ensuring that everyone has a pathway to opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ur Mustangs,
through their many successes, leave indelible hoofprints, elevating families and their
communities for generations and creating lasting success. United in purpose, we will
continue to transform lives, destinies and future generations.鈥�
Following the formal remarks, attendees were invited to explore the campus. Select
buildings featured anniversary-themed exhibits, including a retrospective exhibit
filled with 60 years of 海角社区 history in College Hall and a special 60th-anniversary student video project played inside the Montco Cultural Center theater.
The two events concluded a year-long series of activities commemorating the College鈥檚 60th anniversary. Highlights included the Acts of Service Challenge, where students and employees were encouraged to perform 60 minutes of service a month in their communities, special 60th- anniversary episodes of the 鈥淢ontco on the Move鈥� podcast, and a 鈥楬uman 60鈥� formation to kick off the fall semester.
60th Anniversary Committee Members
Back row, from left: Karima Roepel, Eric Devlin, Stephanie Allen, Kelly Strunk and Yaniv Aronson
Front row, from left: Lara McQue, Amy Auwaerter, President Vicki Bastecki-Perez, Sarah Rudich and Tiffany Bregovi, Chair