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Colorado Northwestern Community College is naming the first classroom in its new, 70,000-square-foot Craig campus academic building after the Pete Pleasant family, the college announced Sunday in a news release.

The classroom is being named after the family in recognition of the family's commitment to CNCC's major gifts campaign, called "Community Partners Building Futures."

"The Pleasant family believes CNCC provides educational opportunities that are vital to business and industry in the Yampa Valley," CNCC President John Boyd said in the release. "The Pleasant family has a long history with CNCC, and it is with pride that we offer Pete and his family this naming opportunity, which recognizes the important role they have played with the Craig campus."

Pete Pleasant, a longtime Craig resident, said his family appreciates the service CNCC provides to the community.

"In addition to providing for the needs of local students, the college will also be able to allow students outside of our area to attend a full-scale campus for their higher educational needs," Pleasant said in the release. "This will be possible with the completion of the Craig campus in late 2010 or early 2011.

"In addition, we value that CNCC offers local high school students opportunities to start college and career paths while still in high school."

CNCC's "Community Partners Building Futures" campaign has raised $7.2 million to date, which is about 87 percent of the $8.3 million goal.

The campaign will fund, in part, the Craig Campus Career and Technical Education Center, which will house the power plant technology, industrial electrician, specialty mine training, cosmetology and massage therapy programs.

The rest of the first phase of the new Craig campus will include the academic building, for which the state designated $21.3 million in capital construction funds.

Both buildings are in final design and should be bid in January 2010 with construction starting on both in April 2010.

CNCC's campaign goal for the Craig Career and Technical Center requires an additional $650,000 in construction grants and investment support during the timeframe of this summer and fall.

Naming opportunities still are available, the college reported.