Tyler

By MEGAN MIDDLETON
Staff Writer

Tyler Junior College celebrated the opening of the new Louise H. and Joseph Z. Ornelas Residential Complex Friday afternoon with a ribbon cutting and reception.

TJC President Dr. Mike Metke called it a "history-making day."

"It's been 32 years since we've opened a new dormitory here at our campus -- and we've never had one like this," Metke said of the 462-bed facility which features large rooms, a convenience store, cyber lounge and game room. "It's incredible. It's like no housing I ever stayed in on a college campus. I'm fairly sure that I probably would have never left if I had this kind of housing."

The complex opened to students in August, and there was previously a private opening for donors, but Friday's event was more of a community celebration.

Angela Nunez, the director of residential life and housing, said it feels great to be at the point of the official ribbon cutting.

"It's just a new face for housing," Ms. Nunez said. "It's a recruitment tool for housing. I'm excited. I truly enjoyed this last year, seeing it go up �"

Students love the new facility, the look of which offers a "wow" for anyone, she said.

"This building filled up quicker than any other hall," she said. "We have a waiting list for students who want to move from our current facilities into here."

It is about $900 more to live in the complex, though, than in the current facilities, she said.

The $30 million Ornelas Residential Complex includes two buildings -- one for men and one for women. In between the two buildings is a spacious courtyard with a creek.

A front desk, convenience store, many seating areas, plasma television sets, hardwood flooring and stairs with golden railings and a gold-and-black theme throughout the hallways are just some of the noticeable details of the dorm. The facility also features meeting rooms.

Students said this dorm was the place to be on campus.

Metke said of the new facility, "It's amazing how many lives are going to be touched for decades. We've got a waiting list already for next spring. It's really enabling TJC to reach out to serve a lot more students."

Metke said he is predicting that this school year may prove to have the largest enrollment ever. Official numbers come out next week, he said.

Metke also praised the Ornelas family, who he said, "Without their generosity, this wouldn't be here."

Joseph Ornelas said, "It's just an honor to be able to do this. My wife and I feel that we needed to give back to the community. It just feels great to be able to do that."

Mrs. Ornelas also said it is a pleasure for them to get to do things for young people.

Officials have said the building was paid for through donations and revenue bonds.

Students living inside the new residence hall say they enjoy its convenient features, spacious rooms and the camaraderie.

"I love it," said Macy Crim, a freshman from Caldwell and an Apache Belle, noting the large rooms and, particularly, the spacious closets. "We just have enough space to where we're not cluttered and in each other's faces."

Also an Apache Belle, Courtney Freeman, a freshman from Hallsville, said, "We feel very lucky to even be here."

Brittiny Case, a freshman from Alvin and an Apache Belle, said that on the fourth floor of the girls building, which is occupied mostly by Apache Belles, "We're all really close. It's like a big sleepover all year long."

OPEN FOR STUDENTS: From left, Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass, TJC President Dr. Mike Metke, Mrs. Louise Ornelas and Joseph Ornelas cut the ribbon during the official inauguration of the Ornelas Residential Complex at Tyler Junior College on Friday.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero)