Northeast College Unveils New Campus Centerpiece Clock and Plaza

Northeast College of Health Sciences recently commemorated 30 years in Seneca Falls and its organization's new name with the installation of a 19-foot post clock and creation of a new green-space plaza on its Seneca Falls campus. The clock and plaza honor Northeast's historical role as a leading healthcare education institution.

New Clock Represents Rich History, Symbolizes Inspiring Future

Made possible by donors through the College's "Celebration of Time" fundraising campaign, the clock is prominently located between the Kenneth W. Padgett Administration Building and the campus's main academic buildings. This new addition symbolizes Northeast College's legacy through time, while the clock face illuminates the future and serves to inspire upcoming generations of outstanding healthcare professionals.

"Over the past 102 years, our College has educated generations of innovative healthcare leaders while embracing change and providing meaningful learning opportunities," said Northeast College President Dr. Michael Mestan. "This iconic clock will forever stand as a reminder of our great Northeast community and our shared dedication to healthcare and academic excellence."

Part of the College's strategic plan to maintain and improve the physical plant facilities and grounds to enrich the campus environment, groundbreaking on the clock plaza began in June 2021. The Northeast community was able to witness the project's progress in real-time via a strategically placed live webcam.

All about the Iconic Clock

Situated at the center of the new plaza space, the 19-foot-tall clock is made from an original Seth Thomas casting and will serve as a focal point on the Northeast campus that can be seen across the grounds. This new landmark features roman numerals on the clock face and a header plaque with lettering highlighted in 23K gold leaf that reads "NORTHEAST COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES". Another matching plaque below reads "FOUNDED 1919."

The custom-made clock was engineered and fabricated by Electric Time® Company of Medfield, Massachusetts. The general contractor leading the project was Mittiga Construction Co. of Geneva, N.Y.  Local architects QPK Design and mason contractors R.E. Kelley, Inc., both out of Syracuse, N.Y., also provided important roles.

Community Invests in Campus Improvements

Contributors of the Celebration of Time clock project made the new clock possible, including Northeast's students who had the opportunity to contribute $19.19 toward the project. All contributors -- including alumni, students, faculty, and staff — will be recognized by giving level on a campus recognition wall and acknowledged in the College's published donor list.

The clock is one of many ongoing campus enhancements at the College. Three years ago, 45 acres of the campus grounds were dedicated to the creation of a sustainable "Grow Zone" landscape, allowing native plants to naturally populate the area. Recently a new afforestation project was begun, adding 1,000+ new native shrubs and trees to the grounds. These initiatives continue to further the College's goals of embracing sustainable operations, creating natural green spaces, and practicing conservation whenever possible.

FUN FACT: A blue stone quarried in Ithaca, matching the stone already used throughout the Northeast College campus, was used for construction of the clock plaza. The stone is named Llenroc (Cornell spelled backwards) and has been used on the Cornell University campus. This blue stone is likely the same stone that was used on the Northeast Campus when it was first constructed as Eisenhower College in the late 1960s.