A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on February 15 to celebrate the grand opening of a building that will provide a new home for Grossmont College’s veterans’ center, along with classrooms, tutoring, and resources for math and science students.
The celebration featured student speakers from the Math, Engineering and Science Achievement (MESA) Program and Student Veterans Center.
“My direction in life was changed with just a place, a community and professors who care,” said Yousif Gaboola, a Math and Science Center and MESA tutor. “Now, thanks to this building, the next wave of students will have the Math and Science Center, next door to the MESA Program, both of which are across math professors’ offices to make it as easy as possible for students to ask questions. Can you believe that? I can’t even begin to imagine what type of students this building will help produce.”
The 61,390-square-foot building will house the Grossmont College math, earth science, and anthropology classrooms, along with a STEM tutoring center and the MESA Program. MESA supports students in STEM by providing resources, including tutoring, counseling, and a study center. The veterans’ center will serve as a centralized home for veteran services at Grossmont College, serving more than 500 active duty, reserve service members, veterans and their families.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility that our veterans and STEM students deserve,” said Grossmont College President Denise Whisenhunt. “It offers a modern and well-equipped environment so that our students can be successful in achieving their education goals.”
The building features modern classrooms with multiple electronic screens to display information, and classroom desks with computer monitors that can be lowered out of the way when not needed. Faculty offices are located near the math and science tutoring center so students can work closely with their instructors and tutors.
The construction project cost $49.3 million and was funded by Proposition V, the $398 million bond measure approved by East County voters in 2012. Other major projects at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges that were funded by the bond include the construction of the Performing and Visual Arts Center at Grossmont College; the renovation of the Ornamental Horticulture Complex at Cuyamaca College; and the construction of the Student Services Center at Cuyamaca College.
“We are thankful to East County taxpayers for supporting our colleges,” said Lynn Neault, chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. “We are proud to provide our students with excellent learning environments to support their education.”