James and Lois VanderWoude present Sonja Haynes, right, director of the Southwestern Community College Foundation, with a check for $43,700 to help equip and furnish the SCC Macon Campus, now under construction.

When the Southwestern Community College Macon Campus opens this spring, students will be able to tap into the internet via a cyber lounge, courtesy of a $43,700 donation from the James VanderWoude family of Franklin.

"This donation from the VanderWoude family for our Macon Campus will mean a great deal for our students," said Sonja Haynes, director of the SCC Foundation. "It will make it possible to equip and furnish both the cyber lounge and a reception center at the Campus."

According to Haynes, the cyber lounge will be centrally located on the first floor of the building with a panoramic view of the valley and distant mountains.

"It will be a wireless environment, in fact the entire building will be wireless inside," she said. "The cyber lounge will have two public access computers and the area will be furnished with comfortable chairs and tables with nearby vending machines for snacks and beverages and access to an outdoor area. It will be great space where students can work on computers, study and relax.

"In addition we'll also be able to furnish and equip the reception area where most students and visitors will enter the building.

"In honor of this generous gift and the support the VanderWoude's have provided to the college in many other ways, we plan to place a plaque in their honor in the cyber lounge and reception areas."

VanderWoude thanked Haynes' for her comments and said, "For over 40 years, Southwestern has walked hand in hand with Macon County to help the people here realize their educational goals. In addition the college has acted as a community partner in so many ways, not the least of which has been their work with the county toward economic viability for the region. My family is proud to be a part of this new campus and what it will mean for the people of Macon County."

According to Haynes, when plans began for the SCC Macon Campus, the college realized funding would not cover a number of facility needs.

"Thankfully, the people of Macon County understood this," she said. "As a result, we have experienced a great deal of generosity from them. Like the Jim VanderWoude family, they are responding by coming forth to fill those needs."

Sitting on a knoll overlooking a scenic valley on Siler Road in Franklin, the 27,568 square-foot building is nearing completion. Construction of the building is being funded through $2.9 million in 2000 state bond funds, which was initially matched by monies from the Macon County Board of Commissioners who later agreed to provide an additional $902,000 when the low construction bid exceeded initial estimates.

For information on the SCC Macon Campus or on making a donation toward furnishing or equipping the building, phone Sonja Haynes at 800.447.4091 or 828.586.4091, extension 218.

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