Cerritos College Hosts Dedication Ceremony for Science Building
State-of-the-Art Facility Boasts Nine New Labs and Six Lecture Halls
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2006
Media Contact: Kristen Habbestad, Public Affairs; (562) 860-2451, ext. 2287
NORWALK, CA – May 23, 2006 – Cerritos College hosted a dedication ceremony for its newly completed, state-of-the-art science building on Wednesday, May 17. Board trustees, administrators, faculty, staff and community members marked the occasion with an unveiling of a commemorative plaque and a ribbon-cutting.
"It’s with your support that the state-of-the art classrooms, lecture halls and laboratories stand here today," said Cerritos College Board of Trustees President John Moore to the assembled audience.
"You’ve helped us realize a vision for the future of Cerritos College. Thank you. We also extend our gratitude and congratulations to those here at the college who have worked long and hard on this project and are just beginning to see the fruits of their labor."
The new facility on the west side of Cerritos College's campus along Studebaker Road boasts of a total of nine new chemistry and biology labs, six lecture halls and state-of-the art equipment.
"I would like to thank our community, for believing in the vision of our educational master plan and for voting “yes” on the bond measure, which allowed us to build this facility," said Cerritos College President Dr. Noelia Vela.
"We are grateful to you—our community, our valued political representatives, and our students, faculty and staff here at Cerritos College—for making this dream a reality."
Dean of the Science, Engineering and Mathematics Division Norm Fujimoto thanked his staff, the campus facilities staff, and many people in the college's purchasing, finance and information technology areas for their countless hours spent ensuring the successful creation of the building.
"The opening of the Science Building is especially meaningful to those of us who will be using these facilities on a regular basis," said Fujimoto.
“We’ve waited a long time and are very excited to have moved into the building that we helped plan from its inception.”
Instrumental in overseeing the Science Building's construction was the college’s Campus Transformation Committee. The committee has provided oversight in prioritizing the college’s lengthy list of campus infrastructure needs and has developed campus standards to address architecture elements, flooring materials, lighting fixtures, furniture, landscaping and other key areas, to maintain a high level of quality and to achieve “economy-of-scale” savings as the projects are built.
This summer will see a flurry of activity as work is started to replace the college’s track and football field. Other transformation projects will follow shortly, including a new child development center, partial funding for which will come from the state; expanded parking areas; a modified fine arts complex; state-of-the-art classrooms and labs; and a redesigned “front door” of the college, with street-accessible vehicle loading and unloading areas.
At this time, the second-phase sale of $35 million worth of bonds, which will fund upcoming projects, is scheduled for fall 2006. The first bond sale of $37.6 million occurred in July 2004.
Cerritos College celebrates the 2005-06 school year as its 50th anniversary in serving as a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college’s district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and Southgate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Annually, more than 1,200 students successfully complete their course of studies, and enrollment currently surpasses 20,000 students. Visit Cerritos College online at
www.cerritos.edu, and view a celebratory site honoring the college’s 50 years of tradition, honor and values at
www.cerritos.edu/50.
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