Health Careers, Science and Math Buildings Get New Looks
By GARY STALLARD
AC News Service
Angelina College, now in its 56th year of serving East Texas and other communities, still has its original buildings in place, along with several additional facilities erected over the years.
Naturally, considering the thousands of students and other people who have learned and worked in those areas, there was going to be some wear and tear.
For the past couple of years, AC has undergone numerous renovations totaling more than $4 million to nearly all those on-campus facilities, and on Friday, the college – along with faculty and staff members – held a pair of ribbon cuttings celebrating those much-needed upgrades.
Both the Health Careers II building (which houses the Pharmacy Technology, Respiratory Care, Radiology and Sonography programs) and the Science and Math building welcomed guests to view the remodeled areas.
Dr. Tim Ditoro, Vice President of Academic Affairs at AC, noted the ages of the two buildings: The Health Careers II building opened in 1991, while the Science and Math building now is in its 25th year of operation.
AC president Dr. Michael Simon said the facilities’ overall longevity is a “testament to the planning the institution performed” over the years.
“These buildings are built very solidly, and we’ve inherited that benefit from our predecessors,” Simon said. “Thirty-three years is a testament to the commitment to build something lasting.”
The entire campus renovation project stemmed from meetings Simon and other administrators held with the Faculty Forum, a committee of selected faculty members who provide input on campus activities and needs.
“We (the administration) approached the Forum maybe two-and-a-half years ago and asked them the one thing we could really do to improve the learning environment on campus,” Simon said. “They could have suggested anything, but what they said was that the public areas in our academic buildings needed upgrades. We went through and did a tour with those members, and when they pointed out specifics, we realized they were right. We knew we had some work to do.”
Simon and Ditoro also lauded faculty and staff members, many of whom found themselves “displaced” as the renovations took place, for ensuring student learning and development continued to take place despite the “inconveniences.”
“I hope, as you were going through it,” Simon said, “you were able to look around the dust and inconvenience and say, ‘It’s going to be so much nicer when it’s done.’ We know that it takes a lot to figure out how to offer our classes and get students through our programs while your space is under construction, and we truly appreciate your perseverance and dedication.”
The college will continue its renovations to include other buildings, as well as some revamping of classrooms, Simon said.
Photo captions:
HC II Ribbon Cutting:
Angelina College administration and faculty members gather on the steps of the newly renovated Health Careers II building for a ribbon cutting during a ceremony held on Friday. The facility, originally opened in 1991, recently underwent some remodeling as part of a $4 million renovation campus-wide renovation project. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
Science and Math Ribbon Cutting:
Angelina College’s 25-year old Science and Math building recently experienced a wave of renovations as part of a $4 million project geared toward upgrading AC facilities. Shown are AC administrators and staff members celebrating during Friday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Gary Stallard/AC News Service photo)
From the Office of Krista Brown
Angelina College
Associate Vice President of Student Services
Email: kbrown@angelina.edu
Phone: (936) 671-4780