(West Burlington, IA) – SCC celebrated the dedication of the Rev. Dr. William Amos “Booker” Smith, Sr. Activity Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, February 25. The 10,000-square-foot facility serves as a multi-use space for campus and community events while also functioning as a reinforced storm shelter for up to 1,500 people.
“This space is more than just a building,” said SCC President Dr. Michael Ash. “It’s a place of empowerment—a space for students to connect, grow, and build community.”
Located next to the Blackhawk Recreation Center and connected to Loren Walker Arena, the hall features a 5,000-square-foot event space, locker rooms, showers, and storage areas. Designed for versatility, the facility supports SCC’s growing student body, athletic programs, and broader community engagement efforts.
The $4.2 million project was largely funded through FEMA, covering the majority of construction costs. Additional funding came from Iowa’s Accelerated Career Education (ACE) program and SCC’s reserves from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). SCC initially applied for funding for the facility through a FEMA funding program in 2015, contingent on certain Federally-mandated disaster declaration criteria. The project was approved in 2020.
Honoring a Legacy of Education and Service
The facility is named in honor of Rev. Dr. William Amos “Booker” Smith, Sr., SCC’s first Black graduate (formerly Burlington Junior College) in 1931. Dr. Smith dedicated his life to education, ministry, and service, overcoming significant challenges to earn multiple degrees and become a respected educator, pastor, and military chaplain.
Smith attended Crozer Theological Seminary at the same time as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., sharing a deep commitment to faith and social justice.
“Dr. Smith’s story is one of perseverance,” Ash said. “His dedication to education and service changed lives, and his influence reaches far beyond his time.”
Dr. Smith’s nieces, Evangeline Ray and Charlotte James, were guests of honor and joined other SCC dignitaries in cutting the ribbon.
Though unable to attend in person, his daughter, Wilmetta Smith Langston, shared heartfelt remarks that Dr. Ash read during the ceremony, reflecting on her father’s lasting impact.
“My father was a trailblazer,” Langston wrote. “He believed in the power of education to uplift not just individuals, but entire communities. His legacy is alive in every student who walks through these doors, striving to build a better future.”
The event was attended by over 50 community members, including civic leaders, business leaders, SCC Board of Trustees members, SCC Foundation Board members, faculty, staff, and students.
“This hall will serve as a hub for learning, activity, and a place of refuge,” Ash said. “It’s a tribute to a man who believed in the power of education to change lives.”
View photos from the event and learn more about the legacy of Rev. Dr. William Amos "Booker" Smith, Sr.
For more information about SCC and its programs, visit www.scciowa.edu.
