Tri-C building renamed in honor of outgoing leader

In recognition of outgoing president Alex Johnson’s achievements, service and impact on Cuyahoga Community College, a building on the college’s Metro Campus in Cleveland has been renamed in his honor.

Tri-C’s trustees recently approved a resolution to rename the renovated building the Alex B. Johnson Campus Center and to grant Johnson the title of president emeritus. The college reserves that title for retiring presidents who have provided significant service that benefits Tri-C students and advances the institutional mission, according to a news release.

“Alex Johnson went beyond the duties and responsibilities of his role as president of Tri-C, and his impact on Tri-C and the greater Cleveland community was extraordinary,” said board chair Helen Forbes Fields in the release. “His leadership is unparalleled, and this is a fitting recognition of his commitment to student access, equity and success.”

Construction on the $38 million Campus Center project began in 2017, transforming the entrance of the Metropolitan Campus into a welcoming space for students and visitors, the release stated. The 106,000-square-foot facility opened in early 2019.

The Alex B. Johnson Campus Center houses the campus bookstore; classroom and event space used by numerous programs; The Pantry, which provides food and essentials to underserved students; and the campus food court. The building received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council

in recognition of its sustainability and energy efficiency.

Johnson became president of the college in 2013. During his tenure, Tri-C raised $243 million in philanthropic support and government grants; increased student scholarships from $1.5 million and 2,100 awards in 2014-2015 to $4.7 million and 3,500 awards in 2021-2022; and substantially increased its graduation rate from 4% to 24%.

Sworn in at the conclusion of the board meeting, Johnson’s successor, Michael A. Baston, began his tenure as the college’s fifth president on July 1. An experienced instructor and administrator, Baston has championed many initiatives and served on numerous boards and organizations in a decades-long career in higher education, the release stated.