BEND, OR -- Central Oregon Community College has renamed the science building on the Bend campus. In a special ceremony Wednesday evening, the school formally dedicated the Middleton Science Center, in honor of Dr. Jim Middleton. 

COCC’s Jen Kovitz says it recognizes Middleton’s contributions as President, "His vision and his drive, and his advocacy really stewarded COCC through our fastest time of growth, as well as through some really important building projects." The Science Center opened in 2012. Kovitz teslls KBND News, "So many of our state of the art facilities that we are known for today - our Science Center, our Health Careers Center, our Jungers Culinary Center; and those are just three of several - are all thanks to his vision and advocacy. They were all developed and constructed during his tenure." He also oversaw COCC's establishment of campuses in Madras and Prineville.

Dr. Middleton led Central Oregon Community College from 2004 until his retirement in 2014. Kovitz says the Board chose to honor him with this facility because of its expansive use, "We also are really proud of the Science Center. It, I think, defies normal expectations of the kinds of facilities you might see at a community college. And defying expectations of community colleges is something that Dr. Middleton excelled at."