Cooper Hall Opens at CGCC William’s Campus

Cooper Hall, Chandler Gilbert Community College Williams Campus

Cooper Hall, Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s (CGCC) newest building, officially opened its doors to students, faculty and staff last month at the Williams Campus. The 11,820 square-foot multifaceted building, welcomes students with a variety of programs including math, electrical utility technology, history, engineering and business.

“We at Chandler-Gilbert Community College are excited about the opening of Cooper Hall and the opportunities this new learning environment will provide to our students,” said William Guerriero, CGCC Interim President. “Cooper Hall is another example of the College’s commitment to providing students with the latest technology to optimize learning and teaching.”
Cooper Hall’s emphasis on engineering, science and technology is intentional and appropriate given its namesake’s legacy. Cooper Hall is named after United States Air Force Colonel Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper, Jr.  (March 6, 1927 – October 4, 2004), better known as Gordon Cooper. He received flight training at Perrin Air Force Base, Texas, and Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. After earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1956, Col. Cooper went on to become an aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot and one of the Mercury Seven, the original NASA astronauts who manned the first flights into space.

“CGCC is thrilled that Cooper Hall will help to preserve Gordon Cooper’s contributions to our nation’s pre-eminence in space exploration through the fields of engineering and science,” said Guerriero. “His legacy will continue to live on through our students and this building.”
   
Designed by Phoenix-based firm Gabor Lorant Architects and DNG Construction, LLC., Cooper Hall features four general classrooms, two engineering and applied technology labs, faculty offices, a conference room and support spaces. The building was funded by the 2004 Maricopa County Community College District bond, built to LEED Silver certification standards and includes 100 percent LED lighting, carbon neutral carpet and ground concrete floors.

An official grand opening event for Cooper Hall will be held at 2 p.m. on October 21st at the Williams Campus located at 7360 E. Tahoe Ave, Mesa, 85212. 

Chandler-Gilbert Community College Celebrates Groundbreaking Ceremony for Cooper Hall

Members of the Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) administration and faculty joined Interim President Guerriero and Gabor Lorant Architects Inc. on February 4th for the groundbreaking ceremony of Cooper Hall at CGCC’s Williams Campus.  This latest addition to the constantly evolving college grounds is a multi-use facility that will boast 11,820 square feet for general classrooms, engineering and applied technology labs, faculty offices and meeting spaces.
 
Cooper Hall’s emphasis on engineering, science and technology is only appropriate given its namesake’s legacy.  United States Air Force Colonel Leroy Gordon “Gordo” Cooper Jr. (March 6, 1927 – October 4, 2004), better known as Gordon Cooper was an American aerospace engineer, test pilot, United States Air Force pilot and one of seven original astronauts in Project Mercury, the first manned space program of the United States.
 
“CGCC is thrilled to help preserve the accomplishments of Gordon Cooper to engineering, science and to our country through Cooper Hall while drawing inspiration and motivation from Col. Cooper’s relentless pursuit of the next horizon,” remarked William Guerriero, Interim President CGCC. 

Hermanas Conference Promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to Latina Middle School Students

Chandler-Gilbert Community College, in partnership with Intel Corporation will host more than 200 Latina middle school students for the Hermanas: Disena Tu Futuro (Design Your Future) conference on Friday, October 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Williams Campus in Mesa. Students from Chandler, Gilbert, Higley, Mesa and Queen Creek school districts will participate in the one-day conference which promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to underrepresented Latina middle school students.
                                      
The Hermanas Conference provides a supportive environment in which young women can interact with successful Latinas in STEM careers, explore technological careers, receive encouragement to finish school, attend college and to pursue their goals.

"Many young Latinas are not aware of the opportunities available in technology, or what it takes to be an engineer, scientist or a technical professional," said Maria Reyes, Dean Career and Technical Education at CGCC. "All too often, there is the perception that these professions are not considered “traditional careers” for Latinas. The Hermanas conference is aimed to educate young Latinas about careers in STEM, as well as prepare these women to be successful in education and the workforce."

The one-day conference introduces students to various engineering disciplines, provides hands-on experiences to build their problems-solving and teaming skills, and includes informational sessions on preparing for academic and professional success in an interactive environment.  Participants engage in hands-on engineering design activities coordinated by college faculty, dialogue with Latina engineers in the Latina Town Hall and attend a college fair.