On Thursday morning, Ivy Tech Community College’s Sellersburg campus marked a milestone for its students and staff with the ribbon‑cutting of the Pat Harrison Gateway. Chancellor Travis Haire, along with longtime real‑estate professional Pat Harrison, led the dedication of the new entrance that promises to improve campus flow and reinforce a sense of collegiate pride.
Grand opening ceremony
Chancellor Haire praised the project as a tangible sign of the college’s growth. “When our students arrive, they get that ‘college feel,’” he said, noting that many larger universities feature prominent gateways that welcome learners. The new structure, he added, will help ease congestion around the campus’s main thoroughfares, making arrivals and departures smoother for commuters.
Pat Harrison, whose name the gateway bears, expressed surprise at the scale of the project. “My vision started not so much. I didn’t think it would be so big; it just kept getting bigger and bigger,” she recalled during the ceremony. As a real‑estate broker for most of her career, Harrison emphasized the lasting impact she hopes the gateway will have on future generations.
Impact on students and community
Beyond its practical benefits, the gateway is intended to serve as a visual reminder of the college’s mission. “In my heart, I’m leaving something worthy of the people coming, and that’s education changes lives,” Harrison said, underscoring the belief that a welcoming environment supports academic success.
The addition arrives just days before the start of Ivy Tech’s fall semester, which begins Monday, Aug. 24. Faculty and staff anticipate that the new entrance will set a positive tone for incoming students, many of whom travel from surrounding towns and counties.
Looking ahead
Campus leaders view the Pat Harrison Gateway as part of a broader effort to enhance facilities and student services. While the gateway itself is a standalone project, it aligns with Ivy Tech’s ongoing plans to expand program offerings and improve infrastructure across its Indiana locations.
Local residents and alumni expressed optimism that the gateway will become a recognizable landmark for the Sellersburg community. As the college continues to serve as a gateway to higher education for the region, the new entrance stands as a symbol of both tradition and forward momentum.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
