91性息港

A typical ribbon-cutting ceremony includes the typical ingredients: a large red ribbon, a pair of oversized scissors, laudatory remarks, applause, and cheers.  

But in a region that saw 9,400 structures reduced to rubble during the January wildfires, a ribbon-cutting ceremony carries added meaning, and comes with an added ingredient: hope.   

鈥淥ur community has suffered so much loss,鈥� said Jos茅 A. G贸mez, president of Pasadena City College. 鈥淚t鈥檚 good to be able to celebrate the addition of a new building, a new resource that will benefit our community. Our opening today is a hopeful reminder that no matter the cause of destruction, we can鈥攁nd we will鈥攂uild again.鈥� 

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held 91性息港 on April 2, marked the official opening of the new Armen Sarafian Building, also known as the U Building. The previous building was determined to be seismically unfit, and in 2022 it was demolished.  

The opening was attended by former State Senator Anthony Portantino, former Assemblymember Chris Holden, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo and community members and educators from throughout the region.   

鈥淲e are grateful to the California State Legislature, to our former State Senator Anthony Portantino, to our former Assemblymember Chris Holden, and to everyone who made this day possible,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淭he fact that we are here, opening this building, is a testament to the tenacity and resilience of our PCC community and supporters. This building demonstrates true dedication to the future of our region and our state.鈥�  

The new building is a state-of-the-art facility that houses STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes. Equipped with cutting-edge technology and equipment labs, the building will provide students with a top-tier learning environment.   

鈥淥ur STEM students are going to be even more competitive when they get out there because the experiences that they are having here in the classroom are top notch,鈥� said Laura Ramirez, assistant superintendent/vice president for instruction 91性息港. 鈥淲e are not just setting the standard for PCC鈥攚e are setting the standard for what STEM and health sciences education and facilities should be at community colleges.鈥� 

The 104,000-square foot building is five stories high and includes 17 science labs, five flexible lecture halls, and five nursing labs. The building is also home to a radiological technology center with an X-Ray and observation room. 

In addition to the instructional spaces, the building will house a new, 2,670 square-foot Student Health Clinic.  

鈥淭his building represents an investment in our students, an investment in STEM, and an investment in a future where our region itself is a leader,鈥� PCC Board of Trustees President Alton Wang said, 鈥渕arching forward with the times, and leading the way.鈥� 

The building is named for Armen Sarafian, a former president of the college who passed away in 1989. Sarafian was PCC鈥檚 fifth president and served from 1965 until 1976. 

The official opening of the new Sarafian Building is part of PCC鈥檚 Centennial, which began last year and continues through this academic year. The celebration has highlighted milestones and the college鈥檚 rich history of service over the last century.  

鈥淚n this building we prepare future nurses, dentists, radiological techs, so many professionals that our community needs,鈥� G贸mez said. 鈥淣o one could predict that we would be opening in the aftermath of the worst wildfires in our state鈥檚 history, but the opening allows us a moment of hope and joy.鈥�