Orchard Ridge renovations celebrated

Officials celebrate Orchard Ridge renovations 

Oakland Community College’s Orchard Ridge Campus in Farmington Hills celebrated the completion of a $6.34 million student center renovation with a May 9 ribbon cutting ceremony. 

The OCC Board of Trustees authorized the renovation of the lower level of Building J in September 2011. Renovations included the replacement of 57,000 square feet of waterproofing under the Student Center plaza  and landscaping. Leaks over the years damaged much of the building’s lower level, including the campus bookstore.

The ribbon cutting featured as speakers OCC Chancellor Timothy R. Meyer, Campus President Jacqueline Shadko, Farmington Hills Mayor Pro Tem Richard Lerner, and campus history faculty member Marilynn Kokoszk.

The new HydroTech waterproofing system has worked well this rainy spring season, said OCC Director of Physical Facilities Daniel Cherewick.

Renovations also included:·         

• New ceilings, lighting and painting·         
• Gutting and remodeling of the campus bookstore·         
• New study spaces and Student LIFE offices·         
• Construction of a small theater/performance room at the east end of the building with a separate entrance.

Work included renovations to the campus bookstore.

“We now have a student gathering space that is inviting, promotes fellowship and is conducive to studying,” said campus president Jacqueline Shadko.

The Student Center features display areas where students and faculty can showcase the artistic character of the campus and its programs, Shadko added. The space can be used to display ceramics, interior design, graphic design and cinematic arts.

“An attractive campus enhances and positively fosters the quality of the educational experience for our students,” said Chancellor Timothy Meyer.  “Maintaining and improving our facilities would not be possible were it not for the support of Oakland County citizens who have approved OCC millage funds three times in the last 18 years for such projects.”

Oakland Community College is the largest community college in Michigan. It ranks 23rd among the nation’s 1,200 associate degree-granting schools. With five campuses throughout Oakland County, it offers degrees and certificates in more than 160 fields, including university transfer degrees in business, science and the liberal arts, workforce training and certificate programs. More than nearly three quarters of a million students have enrolled at the college since it opened in 1965.  Visit OCC online at oaklandcc.edu.