ALPENA – The Fine Arts Center at Alpena Community College was officially renamed the Olin H. Joynton Fine Arts Center during a short ceremony Friday afternoon on the Alpena campus. Joynton served as president of the college for just over 11 years, in which time the Fine Arts Building was constructed.

Joynton said he was surprised and honored that the board of trustees would consider putting his name on a building on campus.

“This is an over-the-top gesture by the board and a great honor,” Joynton said. “This building houses talented people, and it was great to be a part of the effort to bring the arts onto campus and watch the program flourish. The success of the arts is due to the creativity of the students and the dedication of the instructors.”

Current ACC President Don MacMaster thanked Joynton for his years of service with the college, and said the naming of the building was a well deserved honor.

During the ceremony, board President John Briggs said the decision to rename the building was not taken lightly.

“This building and Olin’s time with the college are milestones in the college history that have built upon the institution,” Briggs said. “Olin has always been a firm supporter of the arts and we’re proud we’re able to honor his years as president in service to the college and the community.”

Joynton later said the full culmination of his name being on a building at the college most likely will hit him when he and his granddaughter can visit Alpena and recognize her grandfather’s name on the fine arts building.

Nicole Grulke can be reached via email at ngrulke@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687. Follow Nicole on Twitter @ng_alpenanews.