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A WALK TO REMEMBER
Pair of Arvadans join Hall of Fame Steve Camins and Eldon Laidig are among 2016 inductees By Shanna Fortier sfortier@coloradocommunitymedia.com
Paige Zedlar, 6, struts down the sidewalk where Arvada West cheerleaders welcomed her for her first day of first grade at Stott Elementary. She said she was excited about starting school and she thought the cheerleaders and band at the school entrance was really cool. Find more coverage from the first day of school on PAGE 5. Photo by Shanna Fortier
RRCC offers master’s in health science Community college’s Arvada campus hosts ribbon-cutting for new facility By Christy Steadman csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com History was made at the Arvada Campus of Red Rocks Community College recently, when the newly rebuilt facility became the first community college in the nation to offer a master’s degree program. Ed Perlmutter recognized the significance and presented the college with a congressional record of the second session of the 114th Congress. Congressional records are given to individuals or organizations in the district to “forever recognize” events and achievements, said. Ashley Verville, Perlmutter’s office’s communications director It specifically recognizes the expansion, she said, “but certainly applauded Red Rocks Community College as a whole.” Classes began Aug. 22, but to celebrate the opening of the campus’ new health sciences department — where the master’s program is offered — a ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Aug. 16. Excitement filled the air among the hundreds of people attending the ceremony. “The campus is tremendous for the opportunities it offers for the future,” said Duncan Smith, president pro tem of student government. “It’s remarkable that a community college hosts not only a health science campus but also a master’s program. This makes an education in healthcare affordable for the community.” The campus renovation and expansion, which took exactly one year and
Two Arvada residents are among those inducted into the Jefferson County Hall of Fame this year. The Jefferson County Hall of Fame is a program of the West Chamber that recognizes business, government, and philanthropy by honoring outstanding individuals, from past and present, who have had significant long-lasting impacts through their leadership and contributions to Jefferson County’s economy, community and legacy. Camins “It was such a surprise to me that I’m not sure what to think,” Eldon Laidig said of his induction on Aug. 23. “I feel honored.” Laidig has been an Arvada resident since the late ‘50s and have been involved in the commuLaidig nity since. He worked for Jefferson County Public Schools for 27 years and was an elementary and junior high principal for 25. In those years, Laidig saw everything from a two-room school house to a large school. He took early retirement from the school district and found a career in financial planning. He also served in the United States Coast Guard. Laidig is no stranger to awards. In 1990, he was named North West Metro Chamber Man of the Year and in 2004, he was named as one of the most influential Hall continues on Page 5
Saba Sadaquat, a student ambassador at Red Rocks Community College’s Lakewood campus, gives Brad Rupert, right, who sits on the Jefferson County board of education, a tour of the new health sciences building at the Arvada Campus of Red Rocks Community College on Aug. 16. The new department will offer students training on high-tech, up-to-date equipment for those pursuing a career in the health sciences. Photo by Christy Steadman one month to complete, triples the size of the campus adding approximately 54,000 square feet. The project cost $22.5 million and is the largest building campaign in the history of Red Rocks for either the Arvada or Lakewood campus. A number of community organizations contributed — the State of Colorado invested $10 million, Red Rocks Community College Reserves invested $7.5 million, Community First Foundation and the City of Arvada both provided $1 million, $250,000 came from the Red Rocks Community College Foundation Board and $50,000 came from the Caring for Colorado Foundation. The school is expected to serve an ad-
ditional 800 students seeking a career in the health sciences. With the expansion, the college now boasts the latest technology in its various labs — including exam and X-ray rooms, ultrasound devices and simulation labs, among others. “The school,” said Saba Sadaquat, a student at the Lakewood campus and a student ambassador, “is kind of set up like a small hospital.” She mentioned it’s one of the best campuses in the state. Even the student areas, such as the commons, study rooms and lecture hall, College continues on Page 5
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It was such a surprise to me that I’m not sure what to think. I feel honored.”
Eldon Laidig, Recent inductee to Jefferson County Hall of Fame
UNSUNG HEROES Long snappers for area football teams take their role seriously. Check out this story and others as we continue our fall sports previews on PAGE 23.