A groundbreaking ceremony at Swisher Park Thursday, organized by the Los Angeles Community College District board of trustees and the president of Pierce College, introduced the construction of two new buildings that symbolize the future.
Approximately 100 members of the development project gathered at the ceremony for the Center for the Science and Student Services buildings, which will consist of 149,775 square feet — almost the size of three football fields.
The new buildings will be the home of many departments and offices, such as admission and records, financial aid, the student health center, EOPS, the transfer center, outreach, counseling, international programs, nursing, chemistry, life sciences, physics, planetary sciences and veterinary technology.
The Spanish design architecture will also consist of the latest technology, aquariums and resting courtyard areas for students to escape and regroup.
The A and AA bonds allowed the board to hire HOK, an architectural firm.
“They came up with a model and we fell in love with the design,” said Pierce President Robert Garber.
According to David Tsao, campus project management director, the science center will cost $4,250,000 and the student services center will cost $15,848,00 to build.
It is expected that the Student Services building will be completed in Aug., 2009, while the Center for the Sciences will be finished in Oct., 2009.
The two physical structures are lead certified, meaning that they are environmental friendly and made with ecological materials.
The buildings are also energy efficient, which reduces the impact on the environment and are considered vehicles to drive into the future. “A part of history is the role we play in this community,” said Garber.
As supporters of the project waited for their turn on stage to convey their thoughts, the sounds of dumping and beeping represented a new beginning.
“Do I feel the earth move? I love it,” said LACCD board president Georgia Mercer as she presented her speech. According to Mercer, the plan to restructure the college has been in the works for decade.
She also stated that services, such as student services that provide support and the science center where a student can create career, means “progress in every single way.”
Mercer also describes the land size and the community that Pierce serves means great potential for the college and variety of special services.
“Now we can enhance careers, students and economy,” said Mercer. “The sky is the limit, it’s just the beginning, and we hope to make this college a real gem in the community college system.”
Nancy Pearlman, LACCD board member, describes how she is looking forward to the technology and research that will come from the science building, said Pearlman and that we are “improving the quality of life.”
James Rikel, department chair of life science stated that interactions amongst teachers can be more efficient in generating curriculum ideas. More contact means more possibilities; instead of sending student across campus, resources may be as simple as across the hall of next door
” I am excited, it means a new culture for the science faculty and student.
According to Joy McCaslin, vice president of student services, it was needed to “bring together all scattered services.”
Astronomy professor Carolyn Mallory, said that 56 percent of jobs are based in science and technology, which “symbolizes progress in the right direction and renewal,” said Mallory. “The better the teaching conditions, the better job we can do.” If the student feels that the school has invested in curriculum, they will discipline themselves, which creates a positive learning environment, according to Mallory
From a student perspective, Tessa Moss, Associated Students Organization president, stated to the audience that she is glad the project was in consideration of the student, and that on behalf of all students, she thanks them from the bottom of her heart.
“This is really going to put us at the top,” said Moss.
“What’s really important is our connection with students,” said Bob Garber, president of Pierce. Garber also stated that his vision is for Pierce College to be recognized in the U.S. and California for the success of its academic program.
“What can be nicer than to work at a place you love and to be a part of the renaissance.”
From L-R ()