RANDOLPH — The County College of Morris Board of Trustees held a dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 21 to mark the naming of the college’s new Music Technology Center in honor of Dr. Edward J. Yaw, CCM’s second president, who will be retiring this summer.
Attending the celebration were members of the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, faculty, students, staff and friends of the college.
Credit: Farlekas Photography
“It is a pleasure and honor to be dedicating this building to Dr. Yaw, who has served as CCM’s president for 30 years and is currently the longest-serving county college president in New Jersey,” said Paul Licitra, vice chair of the Board of Trustees.
“During his tenure, Dr. Yaw, through his vision and leadership, has guided CCM’s development as one of the top community colleges in the state. As a result of his stewardship and service, CCM has one of the highest combined transfer and graduation rates among community colleges in New Jersey, and our students benefit from first-class facilities, such as those housed in this center, allowing them to take advantage of the most-up-to-date learning opportunities.”
The dedication was marked with the unveiling of a portrait of Yaw that will hang in the first-floor of the Music Technology Center. On behalf of the faculty, Dr. Stephen Kaifa also presented a plaque noting the achievements of Yaw.
Following that presentation, attendees had the opportunity to tour the building and then attend the college’s Spring Music Concert, at which Yaw joined the Chamber Choir’s performance.
“As someone with a deep passion for music and the performing arts, the dedication of the Music Technology Center in my name is particularly meaningful,” said Yaw.
“I am deeply honored that this wonderful facility has been selected to recognize my time here, which has been profoundly rewarding and meaningful. I have been fortunate through the years to work with a dedicated faculty, motivated students and a devoted staff.”
The two-story, 22,500-square-foot Edward J. Yaw Music Technology Center was completed earlier this year and opened this Spring Semester. The facility was constructed at a total cost of $8.5 million.
Of that amount, $5.3 million was provided through the Building our Future Bond Act approved by New Jersey voters in 2012 and additional funding came from the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Included on the first floor of the center are an experimental theater lab with recording studio, a second instructional recording studio, electronic music/aural comprehensive classroom, general classroom, scene shop and dressing room.
Located on the second floor are multiple student practice rooms, piano lab, faculty offices, general classroom, multipurpose room and a seating area.
The academic programs housed in the center are Dance, Electronic Music, Music, Music Recording and Musical Theatre.
