Central Arizona College Officially Opens New Student Union and Science Building at Signal Peak Campus
by Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing
Lucy Everingham and Rick Gibson, Governing Board President cut the ribbon at the Mel A. Everingham Student Union.
[NEWS RELEASE] Central Arizona College officially celebrated the opening for the new Science Building and Mel A. Everingham Student Union at the Signal Peak Campus on Tuesday, August 21. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at each building.
CAC welcomed Lucy Everingham, wife of the late Dr. Mel A. Everingham, and her family for this special occasion. Dr. Everingham served as CAC President from 1973-1984.
Dr. Jackie Elliott, CAC President stated, “Students will experience TRUE Learning opportunities in the state of the art learning spaces of our science building and the Mel A. Everingham Student Union will be a destination for our students and community members.”
The new science building features nine teaching labs and associated prep spaces, a Maker Space/STEM classroom, faculty offices, support spaces and student gathering areas.
Governing Board Members, Jack Yarrington, Dr. Debra Banks, Rick Gibson and Gladys Christensen, along with CAC President, Dr. Jackie Elliott and faculty officially mark the opening of the new CAC Science Building.
Austin King with DPR Construction shared unique features of the building. “Prefabricated panels were used for the exterior skin, providing greater quality control and faster construction times than conventional methods.”
Daniel Childers of Architekton exclaimed, “The efficient and functional learning space of the science building is designed to draw and engage students in a 21st Century education atmosphere.”
The Mel A. Everingham Student Union is home to the Vaquero Lounge, meeting rooms, campus bookstore, public safety offices, a café and dining hall, and outdoor stage that opens to the green space.
Childers said, “The Student Union’s centralized location and easy access will make it an icon on campus; a welcoming home to all students, faculty and athletes to socialize and relax.”
