Shellie Turner
In Motion Staff Writer
In October 1977, Daytona Beach Junior College broke ground on a new Fine Arts building on the Daytona campus. Forty years later, Daytona State College held a renaming ceremony of that facility, Building 230, honoring a past member of the college’s Board of Trustees and a relentless supporter of education.
Jeanne M. Goddard was an education leader in Volusia County, serving on the county’s school board during a time when women didn’t hold such positions.
“To the surprise of many men, she won.” Goddard’s daughter Maggie Thompson said, when referring to the 1959 school board race.
Although Building 230 formerly housed a theater named after Goddard, now the entire renovated facility will be known as the Goddard Center for Music and Dance. The official opening of the building was part of a long roster of events staged during Homecoming Week Oct. 18-21.
Featuring an all-new dance studio, music listening labs and state-of-the-art equiepment, the “new” building
made its debut after spring break, highligting the expanded 1,300 square feet, with diffused lighting, large mirrors and new barre.
Goddard had a deep love of education and worked tirelessly to enrich the lives of the community. She was a fourth-grade teacher before moving to Daytona Beach. She served on the Daytona Beach Junior College Advisory Committee and eventually was Vice President of the Daytona Beach Community College Foundation. She joined the likes of Lillian Lenholt and Mildred Wetherell in the Dollars for Scholars program to raise money for education for local youth. They went door to door asking for small donations for the cause. In 1975, Goddard was named the top college trustee in the United States.
“This building serves as a living tribute to her dedicated service in providing quality programs that continue to enrich the lives of this community. Especially for the arts,” Thompson said.
In his remarks at the opening, Daytona State College President Dr. Tom LoBasso described Goddard as one of the matriarchs of what is now Daytona State College and a leader in the county’s education scene. He also recognized Goddard’s daughter for continuing her mother’s legacy.
“Your understanding of how a college education can transform an individual, family, and community is an inspiration to us all,” LoBasso said.
The building now has much-needed rehearsal space and updated music practice rooms. Previously, students were using the facilities at the News-Journal Center. The lack of space at the building made rehearsals difficult.
Refurbishments allow students in the college’s fine arts programs to be on campus with ready access to what they need and not have to work around personnel at the News-Journal Center. The college was able to incorporate acoustic equipment so students can rehearse in an environment similar to an actual performance space.
“Students were having to put the rehearsal sets on the stages and then break them down, so this gives them a rehearsal space to clear the stage for performances. The main point was to make this a benefit for the students and I think we accomplished that,” explained Dr. Amy Locklear, Daytona State College Provost.
Guests of the ceremony and open house were treated to three performances by Daytona State students. The college’s jazz vocal group Melodia Dolce sang “Africa” by Toto and “Isn’t She Lovely?” by Stevie Wonder. In the new music rehearsal space, the Jazz Ensemble performed two pieces Cole Porter — “Night and Day” and “All of You.” Finally, the college’s Director of Theater Samantha Stern introduced a performance of a scene from Neil Simon’s play “Fools” that completed its run at the News-Journal Center on Oct. 28.
Other events highlighting the second consecutive Homecoming at Daytona State included a Mr. and Ms. Daytona State College pageant. The new Mr. DSC, Mark Poole, attends the Flagler/Palm Coast Campus, where he is working on his pre-requisites for the nursing program. He is a member of the Multi-Cultural Club and the Veterans Club. He enjoys working with underprivileged youth and travels to the Bahamas annually with a church group to participate in a summer camp for Bahamian and Haitian children. His hobbies include camping and blacksmithing.
Ms. DSC, Imani Severin, is a sophomore working on her AA degree and plans to major in musical theater when she transfers to a university. She spends a lot of time volunteering at her church, including a summer camp for less fortunate youth. Her hobbies include singing, dancing, acting and being outdoors.
In addition, a Culinary Bootcamp attracted some 50 community participants, as well as local press coverage. Proceeds from that event benefitted culinary arts student scholarships. There were also outdoor concerts, tailgating parties to promote DSC sports teams, a vintage car show, 5K run and day-long Florida Symposium, coordinated and hosted by Senior Professor of Photography Gary Monroe, who is also a best-selling author.