The University of Windsor's School of Social Work is officially open in downtown Windsor.
The ribbon has been cut in the former Windsor Star building at Pitt and Ferry Streets.
The old building was gutted and transformed to the first of the university's downtown locations at a cost of about $32-million. Faculty and students moved in last August and are now into their second year of classes at the facility.
Old Windsor Star Building Re-opens as University of Windsor's School of Social Work (Photo by AM800's Peter Langille)
Director of the school, Dr. Robin Wright, is very pleased with the new building. She says it has allowed for improvements in the teaching at the school.
"This gave us the venue to be able to do creative teaching using the technology, engage the community, and also diverse members of our community from across Canada to come in and meet in this very luxurious atmosphere," says Wright. "It's given us the ability to engage and access a broader range of communities not only locally, but across the province across Canada and also is helping us develop our international focus with engagement of students from around the world."
Old Windsor Star Building Re-opens as University of Windsor's School of Social Work (Photo by AM800's Peter Langille)
Dr. Wright says the downtown location means the students are closer to the kinds of populations that will become their clients, which enhances their learning.
In addition to university and city dignitaries, many former leaders of the Windsor Star were present for the ribbon cutting.