Joined by state and local dignitaries and members of the campus community, Governor Dannel P. Malloy,  Department of Administrative Services Commissioner Melody A. Currey and Naugatuck Valley Community College President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D. led a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, April 17 for NVCC’s new Center for Health Sciences. The center will be housed in Founders Hall, which is undergoing a comprehensive $44 million renovation and addition project. The State Bond Commission approved a $39 million allocation for the project in January.

Constructed in 1962, Founders Hall was the original home of Waterbury State Technical College and is the oldest building on the NVCC campus. When the upgrades are complete, the 85,000-square-foot building will serve as the new home for the College’s Nursing and Health Sciences programs: nursing, radiation technology, physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapy and all non-credit allied health programs.

“This is all about investment in our future,” said Governor Malloy.  “Founders Hall and its new iteration itself will represent real opportunities for people to brush up on their skillset, to get a new degree or a new certification in a field that is growing very, very rapidly.” The Governor noted that community colleges in particular are important to Connecticut’s future because most graduates remain in the state, thus strengthening the workforce.

“This is a significant moment,” proclaimed President De Filippis. “A moment when the promise of a better tomorrow for our students shines brightly and concretely and immediately before us.” She credited Governor Malloy’s understanding of the significant role NVCC’s Nursing and Health Sciences programs play in the region. “The Governor’s support of this project signifies his understanding of the importance of healthcare careers.”

“This groundbreaking is a symbol for what the nation needs to do,” said U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, in voicing support for President Barack Obama’s proposal to make community college free to students across the nation. “It couldn’t happen at a place that is more deserving, that serves more people.”

“When we look at the achievements of what has been done here over the last five years, it truly is astounding,” said State Representative Jeffrey J. Berger of the 73^rd District. “We look at the students and we look in their eyes and we get that sense that they’re getting ahead; we’re giving them some promise in what they do here and what we achieve. And that’s really what government is all about.” Berger, who serves as house chair of the legislature’s Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, was instrumental in securing funding for the project.

Board of Regents for Higher Education President Gregory Gray noted that the new facility will also serve nursing students from UCONN and Western Connecticut State University. “To me, as a taxpayer, and to the legislators, you are seeing the dollars that are put forth here in Naugatuck Valley being used by all of public higher education,” he said.

Other dignitaries on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony included State Representative Victor Cuevas, State Representative Theresa Conroy, Waterbury Mayor Neil M. O’Leary and Board of Regents Vice Chair Yvette Meléndez.

The new state-of-the-art space will include patient simulator labs, classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, computer labs, student study areas, a collaborative learning classroom, a 125-seat lecture hall and a multipurpose room with seating for 320. The building will boast the latest in energy-efficient technology including LED lighting and is expected to receive a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certification.

Construction is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2017. The Morganti Group of Danbury is managing construction; A/Z Corporation of North Stonington is providing construction administration services; and the architect is Moser Pilon Nelson Architects of Wethersfield.