BIG SPRING, TX – Howard College is thrilled to announce the dedication ceremony of the newly renovated Anthony Hunt Library at its Big Spring Campus. The public event is scheduled to take place on Thursday, December 7th at 10:00 a.m. The dedication event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, dedication, and tour to unveil the revitalized spaces and services available at the library.
Originally constructed in 1967, the library has undergone extensive renovations to enhance college facilities and provide a more enriching experience for students, faculty, and the community. These significant enhancements have been made possible through the generosity of the G. C. Broughton Foundation and the Maria Hoag Estate. Notably, the ceremony will highlight two distinguished additions to the library – the Jean Broughton Teaching and Learning Center, and the Maria Hoag Reading Nook.
“We are so excited to unveil these renovations to our students and our community and honor our donors who have made it possible,” said Dr. Cheryl Sparks, Howard College President. “Being able to carve out specific spaces for students to utilize to enhance their learning process has been a dream of ours for a very long time.”
The namesake of The Jean Broughton Teaching and Learning Center, Jean Broughton Powell, is well known in the Howard County community for her dedication to education and the pursuit of excellence. She served in the Big Spring Independent School District as an innovator for profound changes in its history. When there was a leader needed for bold visionary impact, she was asked to assume the role. Many local residents will remember her as a master educator. Changing the lives of students and families were of utmost importance to her, leaving a legacy of being an Educator in its total essence.
The Broughton family legacy of commitment to education and the community has been an integral part of the growth of the Big Spring campus for decades and continues to play a huge part in increasing access to education for all learners throughout the Howard County Junior College District. The center stands as a testament to Broughton’svision and dedication to empowering future generations of students through the focus on education and use of innovative technology. The new space hosts a computer lab where students can collaborate on projects with faculty and enables them to present materials to their classmates in a digital format.
“Howard College is so grateful to the G.C. Broughton Foundation for their generosity as well as their commitment to improving educational opportunities for students,” added Sparks. “The partnership we have with them has been instrumental in bringing these renovations to fruition and will help ensure that Howard College continues to be a beacon of knowledge and inspiration for generations to come.”
Maria Hoag was known for her intensely private nature, but also someone who subtly but profoundly influenced Big Spring in her own unassuming manner. Hoag was the owner of Poncho’s Newsstand, a distinctive establishment in the community, that offered a diverse selection of products, including magazines, maps, and books, catering to a variety of interests. With its eclectic offerings, it became an integral part of downtown history. The Maria Hoag Reading Nook, adorned with Poncho’s memorabilia, pays homage to a legacy of literary appreciation, and celebrates the joy of reading, adding an enriching dimension to the cultural impact of Poncho’s Newsstand while taking local residents back to the fond memory of a day spent in Poncho’s in earlier times.
“We are so appreciative to the Maria Hoag Estate and its generous contribution to the library project,” said Sparks. “Mrs. Hoag’s ’s impact on our community and the way she promoted a love of learning and reading will be the perfect addition to our library and the learning environment we are creating for our students. The way she created an inviting space to explore faraway places in a small town in west Texas will hopefully be recreated.”
Additional spaces that are available in the library include a Maker Space and a Teaching Innovation Lab (TIL). The TIL provides a controlled environment to facilitate faculty professional development and educational workshops. The Maker Space is available to students and community members and offers a creative outlet where individuals can explore activities such as 3D printing, sewing, button making, and includes a Glowforge and Cricut machine.
The dedication ceremony promises to be a momentous occasion, bringing together students, faculty, community members, and donors to celebrate the transformation of the Anthony Hunt Library to the library of today. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the upgraded facilities, witness the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, and appreciate the unique contributions these new spaces provide to the campus.
The building ribbon cutting will begin at 10:00 a.m. with ribbon-cutting ceremonies for dedicated spaces and tours to follow. The event is open and the public is encouraged to attend.
(Photo: Howard College)
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