PVCC’s Hidden Gem: The Giuseppe Center
Set against the Blue Ridge Mountains and above Greene County’s branch of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library lies PVCC’s hidden gem. The Eugene Giuseppe Center is located in Stanardsville, Greene County, and first opened its doors for classes in August 2012.
PVCC’s main campus is generally thought by many to encompass the college in its entirety, but this leaves its two satellites well-kept secrets. The Giuseppe Center in Greene
County and The Jefferson School Center in downtown Charlottesville are little-known but worthwhile extensions of PVCC.
The Giuseppe Center offers many of the same services that are offered on the main campus. Many classes are taught in the traditional manner with the instructor present; however, remote instruction and online options are also available. Its close proximity to the county high school makes it ideal for dual enrollment students, and the Guaranteed Admission Agreement between PVCC and Old Dominion University allows students to earn a bachelor’s degree without ever leaving Greene County. There is even an academic advisor present on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The center’s 14,000 square feet of well-thought-out space fills many needs: five state-of- the-art classrooms that are completely web-delivery equipped, a fully-developed computer classroom, instructional lab space, and a proctored testing center.
In addition to a reception area filled with caring, helpful staff, there is a huge student lounge equipped with comfortable seating, worktables, computers, and a small vending area.
Available for rental to the general public is a 250-person capacity community room with a catering kitchen and a meeting room.
It did not take long for the Giuseppe Center to come to fruition. During the summer of 2010, the Greene County Board of Supervisors offered PVCC use of the unfinished second floor of the county’s library. It was up to the college to raise the necessary funds to finish out the space and furnish all of its educational necessities.
Within a year, nearly 100 major donors and many other donors contributed approximately $1 million to make PVCC a reality in Greene County. This generosity allowed construction to begin in December of the following year.
According to a PVCC news release dated March 7, 2012, Mrs. Giuseppe’s $500,000 gift was recognized by naming the facility after her late husband to honor his legacy. Mr. Giuseppe died in 2006 and was a lifelong champion of education serving the Greene County school system in many capacities.
Mrs. Giuseppe stated, “My husband, Eugene Giuseppe, believed that education was the path to success-to being able to lead a meaningful and productive life,” Mrs. Giuseppe further wrote, “As a school principal and coach, he devoted his life to working with young people.This center in his name ensures that those who wish to pursue a college degree will have the opportunity right here in Greene County.”
It is through the generosity of citizens, the dedication of the Greene County Supervisors and the area’s taxpayers that PVCC now leases the building from Greene County for $1 per year.
If you are in the area, take time to explore this treasure. You do not need to take classes in this building to use its facilities. If you are a student at PVCC, you are welcome to use its computers, make copies of assignments and study in its lounge.
