Following last week’s ground breaking ceremony for the $5.2 million expansion project for the Shelby M. Jackson campus of Central Louisiana Technical College, I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to Dean Mignonne Ater. It was certainly a wonderful day for our community and our state, as noted by Gov. Bobby Jindal.

Mrs. Ater’s untiring efforts have brought this project to fruition — a project that will have far-reaching effects in our community and beyond.

Her vision and leadership are taking the technical college into the future and will provide the opportunity for many more prospective students to take advantage of the outstanding educational and career programs the technical college provides.

A project such as this touches so many lives in so many ways — from the current construction jobs it provides to the continued education of the many students yet to enroll.

I am so grateful to Mrs. Ater for all that she has done for students, for education and businesses throughout the region while serving as college dean.

I wish her and the college continued success.

Randy Maxwell

Concordia Parish sheriff