8 May ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Robotics Lab at Belden Center May 8, 2025 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College formally opened its state-of-the-art robotics lab at the Belden Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony today (May 8). “It is an exciting day for our college, our students, our faculty and our region as we officially unveil our new state-of-the-art Robotics Lab, a facility that not only represents the future of workforce training, but also our steadfast commitment to innovation, opportunity and excellence,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The $1.2 million renovation made possible through the support of our friends in the Mississippi Legislature reflects a true investment in the lives and futures of our students and the communities we serve. At ICC, we don’t just train for today’s jobs, we prepare for tomorrow’s careers. And this Robotics Lab is a shining example of that mission in action. As industry leaders consider locating in North Mississippi, this lab, and the facility as a whole demonstrates that we are ready – with the talent, training and technology to meet their needs.” Dr. Doug Ferguson, ICC Robotics instructor, concurs. “This new Robotics Lab is a game changer for our program. It gives our students the space, tools and technology to dive deeper into hands-on learning and real-world robotics. We’re excited about the opportunities this opens up for preparing students for the careers shaping the future. We’re thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.” Dean of Career Education Dylan Baldwin also expressed appreciation for those who were instrumental in the process. “This laboratory has changed Robotics Technology at Itawamba Community College. Although it has long been a focal point for tour groups of prospective students and industry leaders, Robotics has a new face, and subsequently, is more appealing to those who are investigating a career. Thank you isn’t adequate for the buildout of this lab. It could be the catalyst that encourages both traditional and adult learners to either start or reinvent their futures.” In addition to the lab, the 8,280 square foot buildout includes a classroom and breakroom and space for storage. For students like Samira Brewer of Mooreville, “The facility is bright and inviting and offers more space than before.” ICC’s Robotics program, Brewer said, “is the perfect mix of a trade program and a traditional degree pathway. We get hands on training with the kind of devices that companies use out in the field. We don’t just watch PowerPoints and do bookwork. We get to install the devices, power them up and program them ourselves. You can’t put a price tag on the knowledge we gain through this program, but for this to come out of a community college (meaning the cost of attendance) is amazing!” All of the robots are sectioned out, and tour groups can watch the students program them in real time. “The new lab lets students take pride in knowing the school believes enough in the Robotics program to invest in such a massive upgrade,” Brewer said. Because of her participation in an annual ICC-sponsored job fair, Brewer has secured an internship with Southern Automation and Controls. “I had a very well-paying job before I went back to school, but I wanted a career that I enjoyed. So, I quit, moved into a much smaller place, and now I work two jobs to pay my tuition and bills. I knew it would not be easy going back to college, but I don’t have a single regret. ICC has already done so much to help me prepare for my future, and I’m only halfway through the program.” So, with the formal opening of the “new and improved” Robotics Laboratory at the Belden Center, which will provide an exceptional learning space, Itawamba Community College students in that area, both now as Samira Brewer, and in the future, will benefit not only from the skills that they learned, but also from the connections that they have made, ensuring a better future, not only for themselves, their families, their communities and beyond. Related Articles ICC formally opens newly-renovated Student Activities Center at the Fulton Campus Itawamba Community College reopened its Student Activities Center with a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, Aug. 14, at the Fulton Campus. “It is with great pride and excitement that we gather to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Student Activities Center,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Just as with our recent residence hall ribbon cuttings at Monroe and Sheffield Halls, this is not just a physical transformation but a renewal of our commitment to providing a vibrant and supportive campus environment for our students.” ICC’s approximately 13,000-square-foot Student Activities Center, which opened in 1961 and the oldest building on the Fulton Campus, has had numerous facelifts over the years, but this renovation touched every aspect of the building, including a completely redesigned interior to maximize open space for seating and the addition of a new covered space on the back to provide students a place to dine in the event of inclement weather. Allen said that the new space will be called “The Yard.” The outdoor furniture will arrive soon and be installed with outdoor TVs. “Our ... ICC formally reopens W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center Itawamba Community College formally reopened the newly-renovated W.O. Benjamin Fine Arts Center at the Fulton Campus during a ribbon cutting, Apr. 20. Renovations began in the fall of 2021 to restore the decades-old 24,000-square-foot facility, which had not received any major work since it was built in 1978. With upgrades to almost every inch of the facility, the state-of-the-art auditorium, lecture space, exhibit hall and lobby now boast modern designs that are more inviting to guests. The renovations were designed by McCarty Architects. ICC formally opens state-of-the-art Magnolia Hall with ribbon cutting Itawamba Community College formally opened its new residential facility, Magnolia Hall, with a ribbon cutting today at 10 a.m. at the Fulton Campus. “I have had an opportunity to participate in several milestones since arriving here at ICC…the opening of the new Academic and Student Center on our Tupelo Campus, the naming of many different spaces across our locations…but very few as significant as this one,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “The opening of this innovative student-friendly residence hall will provide state-of-the-art housing accommodations for 246 additional ICC student leaders and scholars,” Allen said. “Even with this additional number of beds, we still have more than 350 students on waiting lists for housing this fall. This simply reinforces the dire need of this hall.” The 72,000-square-foot three story residence hall has customizable halls/wings for separated male and female occupancy and two efficiency apartments as well as one for the hall director. “Not only will it provide modernized residential rooms and ample amounts of collaborative study space, but it also offers elevated security with this being a separated ... ICC sets October adult education enrollment/orientation session for Belden Center Itawamba Community College will enroll new adult education students at the Belden Center with a three-day orientation session, Oct. 18, 19 and 20. The orientation will begin each day at 8:30 a.m. Participants must have a photo ID, and 16-/17-year-olds should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring a withdrawal form from the most recent school attended. Entry into the adult education area is across from the WIN Job Center at ICC-Belden. The class schedule includes Amory – Amory WIN Center (1619 Hwy. 25 North), Tuesday and Thursday, 8a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Belden – ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.), Monday and Tuesday, 8a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30p.m.; and ESL, Monday and Tuesday, 9a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Fulton – Old Grammar School (603 So. Cummings St.), Tuesday and Thursday, 3:30-7:30 p.m.; Houston – Houston WIN Center (210 So. Monroe St.), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Pontotoc – Pontotoc WIN Center (316 Coffee St.), Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and Tupelo – Regional Rehabilitation Center (615 Pegram Dr.), Wednesday and ... ICC schedules adult education orientation for day, night Belden Center new students, July 22 Itawamba Community College will enroll new day adult education students at the Belden Center, July 22. Individuals 18 years of age and older will begin at 9 a.m. and 16/17-year-old students, 1 p.m. An orientation session is also scheduled the same day at 4:30 p.m. for those 0f all ages who plan to attend night classes at the same location. Participants must have a photo ID, and 16/17-year olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring a withdrawal form from the most recent school attended. Entry into the adult education area is across from the WIN Job Center at ICC-Belden. Day and night classes are also offered throughout the Itawamba Community College district. The class schedule includes Amory – WIN Job Center (1619 Highland Drive), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Belden – ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Rd.), Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. and 4:30-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, 8 am.-3:30 p.m.; and English Language Learners (formerly ESL), Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; Fulton – ICC (Academic Building ... ICC sets new adult education student orientation, Mar. 1-3, at Belden Center Itawamba Community College will enroll new adult education students with a three-day orientation session, Mar. 1-3, at the Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Road). Each session will begin at 8:30 a.m. Participants must have a photo ID, and 16-/17-year-olds should be accompanied by a parent or guardian and bring a withdrawal form from the most recent school attended. Entry into the adult education area is across from the WIN Job Center at ICC-Belden. Students who plan to enroll in any of the classes offered in the ICC five-county district are encouraged to attend. The schedule includes Amory – Amory WIN Center (1619 Hwy. 25 North), Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Belden – ICC Belden Center (3200 Adams Farm Road), Monday and Tuesday, 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; and ESL, Monday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. and Tuesday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.; Fulton – Old Grammar School (603 So. Cummings St.), Monday and Tuesday, 4-7 p.m.; Houston – Houston WIN Center (210 Monroe St.), Tuesday and Thursday, ... Comments are closed.