{"id":49427,"date":"2025-10-28T14:00:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T18:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=49427"},"modified":"2025-10-28T14:00:50","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T18:00:50","slug":"northwest-state-community-college-opens-new-full-service-campus-in-van-wert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/northwest-state-community-college-opens-new-full-service-campus-in-van-wert\/","title":{"rendered":"Northwest State Community College Opens New Full-Service Campus in Van Wert"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A chilly but cheerful crowd gathered Tuesday morning, October 28, for the official ribbon cutting of Northwest State Community College\u2019s new full-service campus in Van Wert. President Todd Hernandez opened the ceremony, calling it \u201ca pretty exciting day for Northwest State Community College.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hernandez shared the story of how the idea for a permanent Van Wert campus began in 2019 during a Chamber dinner when trustee Scott Mull challenged him to do more for the citizens of Van Wert County. \u201cFor those who know me, you know that I took that as a personal challenge,\u201d Hernandez said with a smile. Despite delays caused by COVID-19, the vision continued to grow until it became a reality this fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not just another satellite location,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cThis is a full-service campus. We\u2019ve already invested over $7 million of Northwest State and state funds into this building. Now it\u2019s your turn\u2014send us your students. We\u2019ll educate them, improve their lives, and strengthen this community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following the ribbon cutting, several officials shared remarks, including State Representative Roy Klopfenstein, who presented a proclamation from the Ohio House of Representatives. \u201cWe have unbelievable opportunities, and this is another one,\u201d Klopfenstein said. \u201cWhat an opportunity for our community, and I\u2019m glad to be a part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

State Senator Jim Hoops, a former Northwest State employee, reflected on the progress made since his time with the college. \u201cI remember when Dr. Stuckey asked me to look at this building\u2014boy, has it changed,\u201d Hoops said. \u201cThis is an affordable place for people to find themselves, to better their lives and their families. We need to train the next generation for Ohio\u2019s future workforce, and this campus will play a big role in that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Board member Lisa McClure, who once worked in Van Wert, said she was excited to see classes move from the hospital facility into the new building. \u201cIt will be so exciting to see that first class move over,\u201d McClure said. \u201cBring those students\u2014we want to fill this building.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trustee Scott Mull, whose challenge helped spark the project, spoke proudly about the completion. \u201cVan Wert is in great hands with Northwest State having this campus here,\u201d he said. \u201cThe staff and faculty are first class, and this partnership fits beautifully with everything happening downtown and throughout the county.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LouAnn Cook, representing the Ohio Senate, also presented a document from the Senate and praised Northwest State\u2019s leadership in community and workforce training. \u201cThe big word at Northwest State is \u2018community,\u2019\u201d he said. \u201cThey take it seriously. With programs like TechCred, Northwest State is by far the largest provider in Ohio\u2014by a very large margin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new Van Wert campus represents a major step forward for the college and the region, offering expanded educational opportunities and training to help meet local workforce needs. As President Hernandez said, \u201cWe\u2019re here\u2014and we\u2019re ready to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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