As part of a strategic process to improve and optimize the academic effectiveness of KPC’s Kenai River Campus, the Brockel Building will undergo a renewal that has been planned for several years. The need for the renewal was identified in the 2006-2007 academic school year and funding for the capital project was directly appropriated to the college from the university in FY13, FY14 and FY15 (for deferred maintenance, repair and renewal).

“The spaces that will be renovated were constructed almost 40 years ago,” said Phillip Miller, KRC construction manager. “This will be the first significant renovation of the area including major electrical and mechanical upgrades.”

The renovations will result in improvements to both the library and the Learning Center and will relocate the G.L. Freeburg Gallery. The resulting “academic renewal” will address a myriad of issues that will result in more efficient delivery of tutoring and testing in the Learning Center. The changes in the library will include providing long-requested quiet group study rooms and improve research work flow for both students and faculty.

The construction project was put out to bid in early November. Of the six general contractors that submitted bids, Steiner’s North Star Construction from Homer submitted the winning bid of just more than $1.1 million. It is expected that their work will commence during the upcoming holiday break and continue through next spring semester.

The impacted departments are currently packing up and being relocated throughout the campus. Most of the Learning Center staff will be temporarily located on the second floor of the McLane Building with public computers and services help desk located in a small portion of the River View Commons, upstairs in the Goodrich Building.

Library staff will also have office space upstairs in the McLane Building. All library books have been temporarily housed in the Ward Building. Staff will retrieve books for students and faculty upon request.

There will be signage to help students and the public find the relocated Learning Center and library resources. KPC apologizes for any inconvenience to students and the public as a result of the construction process.

Blood drive’s lifesaving results

Because community blood drives provide more than half of Alaska’s blood supply, KPC’s Kenai River Campus blood drives, like the one held in early November, play a vital role in keeping Alaska’s blood supply at safe levels.

According to Troy Palmer, Blood Bank of Alaska’s community coordinator, 37 donors registered to donate blood and a total of 34 prints were collected. The donated blood has a potential of saving up to 102 Alaskan lives. Of the registered donors, seven new donors gave the gift of life.

For more information on blood donation and to access the Life Mobile’s schedule of future blood drives, visit www.bloodbankofalaska.org.

G.L. Freeburg Galery hosts last show of the year

Cam Choy, associate professor of art, would like to invite the public to view new work by local artist Nicole Lopez.

Lopez earned her UAA Bachelor of Arts in Art in 2014. She held office in the KRC Art Students’ League Association and served as lead assistant to former art department chair, Celia Anderson.

“Her show is a reflection on her experiences travelling in Europe,” Choy said. “Please stop by to enjoy and please join us for the closing reception from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 10.”

This will be the final exhibition of the academic year since the gallery will be undergoing relocation and renovation during the spring semester. For more information, contact Choy at 262-0274 or email cchoy2@kpc.alaska.edu.