Published: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Updated: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009

Venice SCF building renamed for Pappas

VENICE — There were tears, a fancy cake, speeches and laughter Wednesday during the dedication of a building in Venice in honor of State College of Florida President Emeritus Sarah H. Pappas.

The SCF Venice campus’ Professional Development Center, once an under-utilized gym, has been renovated into busy classrooms, a nursing laboratory and multipurpose room. At a ceremony attended by almost 100 people, it was renamed in Pappas’ honor.

The community college’s board chairman, Steve Harner, told Pappas he was thrilled to have been able “to see first-hand your accomplishments.”

He praised her foresight as president for 11 years in seeking gifts of land at Lakewood Ranch from developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc., where a third campus has been built.

The college, formerly called Manatee Community College, has 3,395 students at its Venice campus, 8,686 at its Bradenton location and 1,933 at Lakewood Ranch, officials said.

“The visionary leadership of Sarah H. Pappas has resulted in one of the most massive capital growth and renovation eras in the college’s history,” Harner said.

Pappas said the building was renovated with state funds and a financial boost from the MCC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raised money for the college.

She said the building’s history provides “a textbook lesson” on what happens when a college wins the support of its community. It gets “fierce loyalty” and “generous support,” Pappas said.

The tears came at the end, with an emotional rendition of Pappas’ favorite song, “You Raise Me Up.” It was performed by SCF students Lurray Myers on piano and Colin Finnegan singing.

SCF Venice Provost Darlene Wedler-Johnson recalled that Pappas loved the song so much, she had once jumped up to sing along as it was being performed on another special occasion. But this time, she was silent, clearly moved, as she sat beside her husband, George Pappas.

After the ceremony, the crowd enjoyed a cake replica of the Professional Development Center, complete with little palm trees.

Pappas, the college’s fourth president, retired last year after 11 years at the helm. She now is president of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation in Sarasota.