By Tom Lally, Building Kentucky
Jefferson Community & Technical College (Jefferson) is proud to announce the name of its highly anticipated downtown science building: The Center for Science and Discovery. This 40,000+ square foot building with cutting-edge labs and classrooms is an investment in the future of our region’s workforce, uplifting faculty, staff and students to succeed in and out of the classroom.
“Today, we’re seeing promises take shape,” Jefferson President Dr. Ty Handy said. “This is the promise of a brighter future for our students and community, the promise of a reimagined and revitalized downtown as well as the promise of world-class facilities that match the quality of our student body. These commitments are present in every beam, every building and every barrier broken by the Jefferson Rising project.”
Jefferson Rising is a $90 Million, multi-year revitalization project that serves as a primary anchor to the Louisville Medical and Education District (LOUMED). The first phase of Jefferson Rising brings The Center for Science and Discovery, a new parking garage and an engaging green space to West Broadway, between First and Second Streets.
The Center for Science and Discovery is made possible by state, college and local funding, including gifts from the family of Betty Jones.
“My mother was a strong believer in the power of great teaching to catalyze students’ lifelong agency and self-determination,” David Jones Jr. said. Betty Jones taught French at Jefferson in the 1980s and 1990s. The spouse and life partner of Humana Co-founder David A. Jones, Betty lived her values by pursuing her own graduate education as her children aged and then returning to the classroom to teach. With David, she was also a substantial, mostly anonymous donor to Jefferson’s growth and pursuit of excellence for decades.
The vision for Jefferson Rising goes above and beyond this new appearance, it shows students they are worthy of a world-class college experience to encourage individual success and a wider sense of belonging.
With the support of the community, this ambitious plan will ensure Jefferson continues to be a beacon of opportunity and a trusted leader in the region’s educational and economic growth.
