WEST CHESTER TWP. — Amid jokes about the heat and digging in packed dirt with gold-painted shovels, officials from Miami University joined state and local figures Wednesday to break ground on the university's Voice of America Learning Center.

"We're absolutely thrilled to be here," said university President David Hodge. "It's been a while creating today."

Hodge noted that 12 years of discussion and planning have gone into the acquisition of land next to Voice of America Park. University Provost Jeffrey Herbst added that the 23,000 square foot building's design is meant to serve changing educational needs.

"Many of the industries that were based on brawn and were lucrative in the 20th century are not as lucrative in the 21st century," Herbst said. "If this area is to prosper, Miami has to be part of the transition."

He said the learning center will offer a range of classes, from associate degree and career education courses to an executive MBA program through the university's Farmer School of Business.

"That's a lot to ask out of even a substantial building," Herbst said. "We believe we have the educational plans and organization intact to offer that opportunity to West Chester and all of the region."

Both Sen. Gary Cates and Rep. Bill Coley attended the ground breaking, and township trustee George Lang pointed out the long-term impact that planners hope the center will have.

"I can't wait to see what the world is going to be like 40 years from today because Miami University invested here," Lang said.

Construction on the learning center is scheduled to begin immediately, with a projected completion date of January 2009.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5127 or mcunningham@coxohio.com.