Temple College Cuts Ribbon on New Main Building, Launches Centennial Year
Temple College officially opened the doors to its new four-story Main Building on Friday, cutting the ribbon on a transformative facility that reshapes the south side of campus and the Temple skyline.
The ceremony also helped mark the beginning of the College’s Centennial year.
“This Temple College Main Building is a new front door to opportunity for our students and our community,” said Temple College President Dr. Christy Ponce. “As we celebrate 100 years of service to Central Texas, this Main Building stands as a promise that Temple College will continue to deliver high-quality education, access and opportunity for generations.”
A crowd of more than 300 guests gathered for the ceremony, including College leaders and staff, students, city officials, state representative Brad Buckley, community and business partners, and education leaders.
The 109,000-square-foot Main Building now anchors the south side of campus and features 21 classrooms, two computer labs, a testing center, student services and advising offices, faculty and administrative office suites, tutoring and student success areas, and a new boardroom. The 9,130-square-foot Dr. Harry B. Macey Conference Center accommodates up to 650 people and can be divided into three rooms, opening onto an outdoor patio and the main lobby for large campus and community events.
The site also includes a new drop-off and entry plaza for visitors and prospective students, as well as a new quad to the north of the building featuring a fountain, seating areas, and a tiered lawn designed for gatherings, performances and student life.
The Main Building also houses the new University Center, which will be occupied by Texas A&M University–Central Texas. The partnership allows Temple College students to seamlessly transfer into bachelor’s degree programs while remaining on the Temple campus.
“This is a special day, and we’re excited to play a part in the opening of this beautiful building,” said Dr. Richard Rhodes, president of Texas A&M University–Central Texas. “We’re honored to strengthen our partnership with Temple College and bring expanded resources from A&M-Central Texas to the Temple campus through the new University Center. We now offer seven bachelor’s degrees to the students here, and as we continue to build out our services, we look forward to celebrating many successes in the years to come.”
The College Main Building is one of four facilities built or renovated as part of Temple College’s $124.9 million bond program approved by voters in 2021.
Other projects include the Workforce and Visual Arts Building, the Campus Services Center, renovations to the Dental and Surgical Technology facilities, and the Health Sciences Center currently under construction.
The building was designed by Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering that has partnered with Temple College on multiple campus projects. Cloud Construction Company, based in Temple, served as the general contractor for the College Main Building and other bond-funded projects.
Following the ribbon-cutting, guests toured the new facility, exploring its classrooms, collaborative spaces and modern student services areas designed to support enrollment growth and student success well into Temple College’s second century.
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 a century. 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.