Edison State College will host a groundbreaking celebration for the first Edison State College Living and Learning Center on Monday, April 18. For the first time in the College’s 49-year history, students at Edison State College Lee Campus will have the opportunity to live on campus.

The ceremony will take plac at 3 p.m. in Parking Lot 5 West at Edison State College, 8099 College Parkway in Fort Myers.

“It’s not just a place where students come to live. I see this as a living and learning center,” said Dr. Kenneth Walker, district president of Edison State College. “We strive to meet the needs of all of our students through academic programming, student leadership opportunities and student services. We plan to provide a variety of activities within our facility.”

The Lee Campus student housing facility will be a four-story, 404-bed residence hall. Plans include two- and four-bedroom suite-style units, common recreational areas and academic centers.

Edison State offers 10 bachelor degree programs, intends to continue to add programs that emphasize our core mission of associate degrees for transfer students, and will meet the needs of employers and students. More students from out of the area are expressing an interest in attending Edison State College due to the addition of the baccalaureate degrees.

The cost of the building is estimated at $26.3 million which was made possible by the Edison State College Financing Corporation. The Living and Learning Center is slated to open for the fall 2012 semester.