Got Feedback?
Send a letter to the editor.

Subscribe now: RSS news feed, plus free headlines for your site

College breaks ground on Process Technology Center

Posted Monday, June 30, 2008

 E-mail this page    Printer-friendly page

Shown at the groundbreaking for the BASF Center for Process Technology are, from left, Harry Willie-BC Foundation, Joe Greer-BC Regent, Raymond Burroughs-Architects Etc*, Sharon Rogers-BC Regent, Carolyn Johnson-BC Vice Chair Regent, Tom Rich-Foundation President and General Manager ConocoPhillips Sweeny Refinery, Dr. Millicent Valek-BC President, Art Colwell-General Manager of BASF, John Gilbert-BC Regent, Dr. Lillian Lockett-BC Regent, Steve Percival-Durotech, Harry Koester Jr.-Regent, Cleve Fontenot-BASF, and Doug Kubala-BASF.

Brazosport College broke ground on campus recently to begin construction of the new BASF Center for Process Technology. The new facility will house classrooms and a plant trainer for the Chemical Process Technology Program, and, in the near future, for the Power Technology Program.

When the facility is completed late next summer, it will include a control room for process distillation plant trainer, a laboratory analysis area, maintenance and repair area, student locker rooms, three classrooms, storage, office spaces and a lobby in the additional 10-11,000 square feet.

“Currently we have approximately 400 students in our programs in this area at any given time, plus customized industry training,” said Dr.Ken Tasa, Dean of Educational Programs and Services. “When the work on the Center is completed, we’ll be able to expand to 600 students working through the building. Ultimately, that will make a significant impact in the number of quality, skilled candidates that are available in our area workforce.”

This past January, the BASF Chemical Corporation made a $1 million commitment to the Brazosport College Foundation in support of the project which will also be funded through last year’s bond campaign.

“The $70 million bond referendum that passed so strongly last November provides the bricks and mortar for campus development like our new BASF Center for Process Technology. With the support we receive through our major gifts campaign and partnerships like those we have developed with BASF, we are able to enhance critical elements of the Master Plan with state-of-the-art equipment, operating resources for new facilities and quality programs,” said Dr. Millicent Valek, Brazosport College President.

The Master Plan includes expansions in the areas of healthcare, sciences, student resources and facilities and the college’s four-year baccalaureate degree plans. The Plan will lead Brazosport College through the year 2020 as the college works to meet the growing needs of our community, students and industries.

For more information on the programs to be housed in the BASF Center for Process Technology, please contact Gary Hicks, Division Chair, Physical Sciences and Process Technologies, at 979-230-3291, or gary.hicks@brazosport.edu.

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page