On April 27th, the Randolph Community College held its belated ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Allied Healthcare Center. This ceremony doubled as a retirement appreciation event for RCC’s former president, Dr. Robert S. Shackleford Jr., after whom the new building is named. Clancy & Theys was honored to be in attendance for this wonderful occasion.
The ceremony was full of nostalgia, life, and excitement for the future. Speakers took the opportunity to reflect on Randolph Community College’s past and how Dr. Shackleford sparked momentous change for the college and community. Clancy & Theys Charlotte’s Director of Operations, Tom Haggard, took to the 
podium to discuss the challenges faced during construction, his gratitude to the school and faculty for the opportunity to be a part of this project, and his pride in the construction, engineering, and design team that got it done.
This celebration was a long time coming; the project’s completion and occupation took place right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. This delay, however, allowed the facility to take on a life of its own before the opening ceremony, hosting classes, late night study sessions, and unparalleled student experiences. Even on the day of the ribbon cutting, the hallways were bustling with students gearing up for finals and graduation. It was amazing to see that the Dr. Robert S. Shackleford, Jr. 
Allied Health Center had become the vibrant entity on campus it was designed and built to be.
We are incredibly proud to have been on the team responsible for this project and are grateful for the opportunity we had to work alongside Little Diversified Architecture. This facility is a testament to the college’s dedication to being on the forefront of workplace technology and education.
The cutting-edge equipment in this healthcare education facility is the same equipment used in active hospital environments, drawing students from across the state to get the unmatched, hands-on experience of the RCC program. Realistically programmed dummy “patients” exhibit symptoms for nurses in training to triage and treat. Radiology labs and simulated hospital spaces give students a taste of the complex, fast paced work environment they are about to enter.
The Allied Health Center’s contemporary excellence extends beyond the classroom. The first thing you see upon approach is the massive, dynamic art installation. This two story video wall consists of a DigiLED that features beautiful interpretations of the healthcare mission. Swirling animations of DNA give way to x-rays of the human body and other inspiring graphics, including an homage to Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.
The building achieved LEED Silver status due to its energy efficient, environmentally-conscious design and construction. Stunning glass walls, serene rooftop garden spaces, and seamless courtyard seating create a naturally invigorating environment for all that visit.
We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Shackleford on his retirement. His dedication to Randolph Community College and its students and staff is evident in the admiration and respect displayed by everyone at the event and in the boundless growth of the college.
