Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Future
Event celebrates Dot Roark’s legacy and opens C19’s new studio
On Thursday, August 28, 2025, Cleveland Community College celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of the new home for C19, the College’s public access television channel.
Faculty, staff, students, and community members gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony that honored the channel’s rich history and looked ahead to its exciting future. Joining the celebration was Dorothy “Dot” Roark, whose leadership and vision helped launch C19 more than 40 years ago.
“Dot’s pioneer spirit, along with her talent, skill and training, helped elevate the image of this college,” said CCC President Dr. Jason Hurst. Roark, who began her career at CCC (then Cleveland County Technical Institute) in 1971, was also instrumental in building the advancement program that eventually became the Cleveland Community College Foundation. Her impact will live on through the Dorothy Mulder Roark Endowed Fund, established through a generous estate gift she has pledged to the Foundation. The fund will provide lasting support for C19 and help maintain the high standards of programming and production she set in motion.
C19 had operated out of the John O. Harris, Jr. Broadcast Studio in the Bailey Allied Health Center since 2009. As the channel’s needs evolved over the years, CCC decided to relocate it to a more visible spot on campus. “This fabulous new space will allow us to continue producing community-based and educational programming for years to come,” Dr. Hurst said.
The move also creates new opportunities for students in health sciences. Relocating the studio frees up nearly 10,000 square feet in the Bailey Center, space that will be used to expand CCC’s in-demand programs. Soon, the College will be able to welcome up to 200 Associate Degree Nursing students and 60 Practical Nursing students, along with expanding programs in radiography, surgical technology, and medical sonography.
The ribbon-cutting wasn’t just about opening doors to a new facility—it was about honoring the past, celebrating the present, and building a future where both C19 and CCC’s health programs continue to thrive.
