Commissioner Murman quoted in this Tampa Tribune SouthShore News article:
SOUTH SHORE NEWS
HCC SouthShore dedicates new science and technology center
The new Science and Technology Building at the HCC SouthShore campus houses nine laboratories, five prep labs, two computer class, six traditional classrooms and offices for faculty and staff.
BY DOUG ARNOLD
Special Correspondent
Published: September 4, 2015
RUSKIN – The newest addition to the Hillsborough Community College SouthShore Campus — a science and technology building — was celebrated Aug. 24 in ceremonies hosted by Allen Witt, HCC SouthShore president, and a group of regional VIPs.
The opening of the new building included words by County Commissioner Sandy Murman; HCC President Ken Atwater; campus president Dr. Allen Witt; and Patricia Blackburn, student government association president.
Classes began in the fully outfitted, 36,624-square-foot structure at 551 24th St. on Aug. 17. The two-story building houses nine laboratories, five prep labs, two computer classrooms, six traditional classrooms and offices for faculty and staff.
“With the new science and technology building, we are truly a collegiate campus as now we now have two real brick-and-mortar buildings,” Witt said to the amusement of an audience of about 200. “This bold addition opens new doors for our science faculty and expands learning opportunities for our students.
“Everyone who is a part of this campus is absolutely thrilled to add this beautiful building to our campus community.”
Murman provided the keynote address.
“This campus has become the hub for civic and social activity in South Hillsborough,” she said. “The energy being generated is helping with the tremendous rapid growth and continuing progress of South County.”
Witt said HCC SouthShore is the fastest growing community college in Florida. During the 2013-2014 school year, enrollment for the campus grew 7.3 percent. Since opening in 2008, the school has served more than 6,700 students and functions as a gathering place for the South Shore community.
HCC SouthShore Campus Sciences program manager and biological sciences instructor Mustapha Lahrach looks forward to teaching courses in the new space.
“This new building represents a successful collaboration between our administration and faculty, who participated in almost every aspect of its design,” he said. “The high-tech facilities and environment will help us deliver a higher quality of education.”
Witt added that through HCC’s Academy Program, hundreds of students are completing two years of college before finishing high school. At the Ruskin campus they study with scientists from all over the world.
“This puts them two years ahead in pursuing degrees in biological science, physical science, health careers and chemistry,” Witt said. “This building completes a crucial link in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) training in southern Hillsborough County. The top students at our adjacent high school are able to simply walk across the street and take college courses at this state-of-the-art science center.”
