Replete with the esthetic of modern architecture and new, state-of-the-art learning equipment, E.C’s Humanities Building was unveiled to faculty and staff, alumni, and members of the community Tuesday evening, as awards were received by individuals involved in the development of the building.
“I’m very impressed,” Brock Gibson, E.C graduate and embedded software engineer said. “I remember the Humanities Building being a little run-down, now it is pretty spiffy. This is definitely cutting-edge stuff.”
After Proposition 39, Measure Bond E was passed in July of 2002, a $394 million bond was issued to E.C, granting funds for construction, reconstruction or replacement of facilities.
“Nothing had been done on campus for years,” Stanley Dunn, foundation board member said. “It was more of a communication problem. People just weren’t familiar with the needs of a community college.”
The new building, complete with 36 classrooms, and 8 computer labs ready for EC student usage, also implemented a certain degree of environmentally friendly resources in its architectural design, with the north side of the building’s windows two-thirds opaque with frosted glass to keep students on task as well as to utilize every ray of sunlight.
The south side of the building is two-thirds drywall and one-third glass to keep excess sunlight out, thereby easing the possibility of a student’s discomfort due to over-exposure of the harmful ultra-violet rays.
Thick vinyl provides a floor for the building, eliminating noise from passing students.
“The new system is going to be more state-of-the-art and more technologically oriented because kids don’t relate to the class instructor anymore,” Dunn said. “Kids are oriented to and have a relationship with computers and technology.”
Classrooms are equipped with podiums, projectors and internet connectivity, taking complete advantage of the technology of the day.
“This place is going to be really great for the kinds of things that students need to learn today,” Gibson said.
Checked off of the list of campus projects, the Humanities Building’s completion is notable as “this is an actual instructional structure,” Doctor Thomas Fallow, President of E.C said.
While council members, mayors, and board members from neighboring cities within the South Bay received recognition and awards for their support of the measure, E.C received an award of its own.
Tom Caheno, training manager and transmission and distribution business unit at Southern California Edison, Kevin Devore, manager of technical services from the same establishment and Tony Williams, manager of training and development, presented E.C with a signed check for $25 thousand dollars.
“I think this is an appropriate celebration for our community to recognize it’s about community and communication,” Fallow said.
After council members, alumni, faculty and staff and board members lined up on the steps that led to the building’s entrance, Fallow and Mary Combs, vice president of the board of trustees, both cut the proverbial ribbon, after which a tour of the building commenced.
“I’m happy with it and it is getting good reception,” Bob Gann, facilities and planning director said.
Next on the list of completion is the Learning Center Building, which is adjacent to the Humanities Building, where a ceremony similar to this one is expected to take place in six months, Gann said.
“I knew this place was going to be great,” Doctor Virginia Pfiffner, E.C graduate, former dean of behavioral and social sciences, and former psychology instructor said. “It’s nice to see the college grow. There are new people and new things but it is still the same thing: education. It’s going to help everyone do a better job in life and that is what it is all about.”
