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:: Officials Re-dedicating Garcia Science Building, Holding Open House


March 9, 2009


*******PHOTO/NEWS OPPORTUNITY*******


Expanded and renovated facility once featured nursing and allied health programs, now houses Department of Natural Sciences

WHAT: Re-dedication of the Garcia Science Building

WHEN: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 10 (tomorrow)

WHERE: Main Entryway (First Floor) and Main Hallway (Second Floor), Garcia Science Building, Del Mar College East, Edwards off Ayers (online map available at www.delmar.edu/resources/maps/east.php)

VISUALS: Del Mar College officials, students and family members of the late Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia unveiling a new building plaque that officially renames the East Campus facility as the “Garcia Science Building.” Students remarking about the contributions the former DMC Board of Regents member made to the medical and general community. Participants moving up to the main second floor hallway and unveiling a plaque honoring former student Lavernis Royal. A tile mosaic that the late artist created back in the 1960s has been moved from the St. Clair Science Building to the facility that now houses the College’s Department of Natural Sciences.

Faculty members and students conducting demonstrations and presenting displays throughout the state-of-the-art lab facilities. (A map with demo descriptions will be distributed tomorrow during the event.)

FYI: Upgrading the facility is one of the last projects funded by Del Mar College’s $108 million capital improvements program. Tomorrow, March 10, College officials will re-dedicate and officially rename the facility the “Garcia Science Building,” which underwent renovations and expansions that cost nearly $7.9 million.

During the re-dedication, officials will also honor the late Dr. Clotilde P. Garcia, the first woman to serve on the Del Mar College Board of Regents and whose terms ran from 1960 to 1981.

Originally built at a cost of $2.4 million, the facility was dedicated in Dr. Garcia’s honor in February 1983 and housed 11 health science programs, which have since moved to the West Campus. The facility was named the Clotilde P. Garcia Health Sciences Building at that time for the doctor’s dedication to the College and her life-long commitment to health care in South Texas.

The recent project expanded the building from 38,940 square feet to 52,760 square feet to accommodate the classroom, teaching laboratory and computer lab needs of the Department of Natural Sciences. Departmental programs now housed in the facility include biology, biotechnology, chemistry, geology, pre-chiropractic, pre-dental, pre-medical, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, pre-veterinarian medicine and other pre-professional areas of study.

A high degree of space planning efficiency realized in the layout of the existing structure allowed for a smaller addition than anticipated while maintaining instructional and lab space. This overall efficiency resulted in a level of lab space comparable to many university lab buildings. The existing structure was completely reconfigured to bring the already abundant natural light around the perimeter of the building into every lab and every interior corridor. Additionally, interior and exterior student common areas were created in the new expansion due to the high degree of space efficiency realized in the layout of program areas.

Careful stewardship of the funding allowed the College to add the additional wing to the building, which includes additional classrooms and laboratories. Architects and contractors involved with this project include Richter Architects, who served as project architects, general contractor Beecroft Construction Ltd. and consulting architectural firm and program manager WKMC Architects.

As part of the re-dedication and open house, College officials will also honor Lavernis Royal by unveiling a plaque on the second floor of the Garcia Science Building next to one of his originals created in the 1960s. The late artist and former DMC student created a tile mosaic depicting wildlife for the St. Clair Science Building in 1964. The art piece was removed from the building before renovations began last fall and moved to its new home.

Royal was one of the first African American students to attend Del Mar College and was inducted into the College’s prestigious Hall of Fame in 1954 and years later into the Former Students’ Association’s Wall of Honor.

-DMC-mce



Media can contact Dr. Jonda Halcomb, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences, at 361/698-2139 or Joel McKinney, Assistant Professor of Biology, at 361/698-1659 for more information.





Date of this item added : 2009-03-09