Temple College Celebrates Grand Opening of Workforce & Visual Arts Building

Temple College celebrated the grand opening of its new Workforce & Visual Arts Building on Friday, marking a major milestone in the College’s mission to expand high-tech workforce training and enrich its visual arts programs.

The 70,000-square-foot facility – located along West Avenue U between 1st and 5th Streets – is one of several transformative projects funded by the $124.9 million bond approved by Temple voters in 2021.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., welcomed several hundred guests, including Temple College administrators, faculty, staff, students, state and civic leaders, business representatives, architects, developers, corporate partners and community donors.

“This building represents a major step forward in preparing our students for the careers of tomorrow,” said Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce. “Its high bay labs feature leading workforce training programs, while vibrant studio spaces and a gallery provide an inspiring setting for the arts to flourish. We are deeply grateful to the voters, donors and partners who made this vision a reality, and we extend special thanks to Stantec for their exceptional design and to Cloud Construction Company for bringing this magnificent facility to life – offering students and the community exceptional learning spaces and state-of-the-art equipment.”

The Workforce & Visual Arts Building features four advanced technology training bays with attached computer labs dedicated to:

• Construction, electromechanical engineering technology, precision agriculture and safety technology
• CADD, semiconductor technician training, water reclamation and precision agriculture
• Semiconductor technician training and water reclamation
• Integrated robotics and automated manufacturing, global logistics and artificial intelligence

Additional amenities include an art gallery named in honor of longtime art professor Michael Donahue, as well as multiple computer labs, art studios, classrooms, meeting rooms, and faculty and staff offices. The studio spaces support a wide range of creative disciplines, including 3D art, photography, ceramics, painting and woodworking.

“This facility opens the door to extraordinary opportunities for our students and our community,” said DeDe Griffith, Vice President of Workforce Development. “From advanced manufacturing and semiconductor training to robotics and water reclamation, we can now provide hands-on, high-tech education that aligns directly with industry needs, addresses community concerns and prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow.”

Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, designed the Workforce & Visual Arts Building along with several other major Temple College projects, including the Campus Services Center, renovations to the Dental and Surgical Technology facilities, the Health Sciences Center, and the soon-to-open Temple College Main Building. Cloud Construction Company, based in Temple, serves as the general contractor for all of these campus projects.

The building’s completion was made possible through the generosity of numerous individual and corporate donors.

“Every gift, every partnership and every vote of support helped bring this vision to life,” said Dana Riegel, executive director of the Temple College Foundation. “This building represents a shared investment in our students, our workforce and the future of our community.”

Friday’s celebration featured remarks from:

• Christy Ponce, President of Temple College
• Lydia Santibanez-Farrell, Chair of the Temple College Board of Trustees
• Tim Davis, Mayor of Temple
• Adrian Cannady, President & CEO, Temple Economic Development Corporation
• Drayton McLane, Jr., Philanthropist and Chairman of McLane Group
• State Representative Hillary Hickland
• Jessica Diem, representing State Representative Brad Buckley
• Staff representing State Senator Pete Flores
• Richard Rhoades, President of Texas A&M University–Central Texas
• Susan Guzman-Trevino, Temple College Provost and Vice President of Academic & Student Services
• Amy Holze, Stantec Architecture
• Perry Cloud, Cloud Construction

Temple College’s growth extends far beyond its facilities. Since 2021, enrollment has increased by 22%, with more than 80 degree, certificate, academic and workforce programs now offered – including competitive, high-demand health care and advanced manufacturing semiconductor training programs.

With its combination of state-of-the-art labs and vibrant creative spaces, the Workforce & Visual Arts Building embodies Temple College’s commitment to preparing students for emerging career fields while fostering a thriving arts community.

ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE

Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.

Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 99 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premier institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.