The honor relates to the Louis Votta, who owned the land where Rowan College at Burlington County now grows.
In honor of the family who owned the land where Rowan College at Burlington County now grows, Rowan College at Burlington County is dedicating and renaming the Mt. Laurel Campus’ Enterprise Center to Votta Hall.
In 1993, college officials say despite several offers from developers, Louis Votta decided to sell his 112-acre farmland in Mount Laurel to the college because of his belief in the importance of higher education. The family also donated $500,000 to support students at the college.
“Louis Votta’s generosity and support of education was the catalyst for Rowan College at Burlington County being able to expand and become what it is today, a leading model of higher education for the nation and the number one community college in the state,” RCBC President Paul Drayton said. “He had said that he hoped the college would be here for eternity, and not only are we still here, but we are modernizing our campus, building a state-of-the-art Student Success Center, and creating an experience that will serve students well into the future.”
In October of 2003, the college placed the Votta name on the pavilion that served as an entrance to the Science Building and Enterprise Center. Prior to his 2003 passing, Louis and Mary Votta had made the a half-million dollar gift to the college.
“We are thankful for Votta’s vision, which allowed the college to create the Mount Laurel Campus that now serves as the college’s main campus and helps thousands of students transform their lives through education,” said Freeholder Linda Hughes, who serves as liaison to the college. “Votta Hall has also undergone an exciting transformation this year into a vibrant hub of student activity where students learn, grow and work together toward their educational goals.”
The former 64,000-square-foot business conference center, now Votta Hall, includes classrooms, executive offices and an auditorium. It is undergoing renovations to create additional space for students as RCBC transitions its main campus to Mt. Laurel.
RCBC is on track to open the new Student Success Center, which college officials say will serve as the gateway to the newly transformed Mt. Laurel Campus, this summer. The college is also making progress on its new quad that officials say will give RCBC more of a four-year university feel and be large enough to hold events such as graduation, concerts or movies.
In addition, the former Briggs Road Center will become home to the college’s new Health Sciences Center this fall. All nursing, dental hygiene, imaging and health information technology programs will move into the completely renovated building.
“RCBC is fulfilling the Votta family’s wishes,” Drayton said. “Where the Vottas once cultivated their crops, our students are cultivating knowledge, nourishing their minds and harvesting their maximum potential.”
