Ceremony Marks Completion of Renovations to Broadhurst Science Center

TITUSVILLE, Pa – On Thursday August 11th, to an audience of over 150 people, the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s Education and Training Hub hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of renovations to the Broadhurst Science Center.

The Broadhurst renovations are a part of the hub’s larger strategy to provide modern, cutting-edge resources to Pitt-Titusville and its partners. Renovations to the Broadhurst Science Center began in 2021 with the goal of providing Pitt’s nursing program with an updated, state-of-the-art lab, as well as provide updated classrooms and labs for the hub’s partners.

“We are well on our way to educating the workforce of tomorrow,” Jim Broadhurst, co-chairman of the capital campaign for Pitt-Titusville said in remarks before the ribbon cutting. “It has been a real honor for me to be involved.”

William Strickland, president of Manchester Bidwell, which offers no-cost clinical medical assistant and phlebotomy courses at the hub through its sister program, the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology, spoke about the hub as an innovative partnership for rural education.

“We’re going to make a difference,” he said. “This thing is going to set an example of how a major university in a rural-based setting is thriving.”

Susan Snelnick, president of the Northern Pennsylvania Regional College, another hub partner, praised the cooperation among members.

“This is a true representation of what a community partnership should look like,” Snelnick said.

Also speaking at the event was Pitt-Titusville president Rick Esch who shared the hub’s next steps.

“In addition to the renovations in Broadhurst Science Center, we are making progress with our other renovation projects to the J. Curtis McKinney II Student Union and the Haskell Memorial Library,” Esch said.

Other notable attendees include Senator Michelle Brooks (50th Dist.), Representative Lee James (64th Dist.), Dr. Larry Feick interim associate dean of Pitt’s College of Business Administration, Neil Fratus Titusville’s city manager, and Titusville Mayor Jim Crouch.

During his closing remarks, Esch shared, “With these building renovations, the expanding program offerings, a new permanent executive director, and your continued support, we see a great future for the Pitt-Titusville Education and Training Hub.”

Following speeches, Dr. Stephanie Fiely, recently named executive director of the hub, cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the science center.

The Broadhurst Science Center renovations mark the first part of a three-part campaign to renovate buildings on the Pitt-Titusville campus for workforce development programs as well as partner-led programming to promote community engagement.

To learn more about the hub and any upcoming changes to its campus or programs, visit upt.pitt.edu.