Dean Joe Shapiro and President Stephen Weber
Ten years ago, the time had come for a new state-of-the-art building for SDSU’s College of Extended Studies.
The $13 million Extended Studies Center (ESC) had its official grand opening celebration on Oct. 26, 2004, offering the latest in a high-tech, education and professional training building.
The four-story, 60,000-square-foot ESC added 22 modern classrooms for Extended Studies, provided new office space for the Department of Rhetoric and Writing on the third floor, and the SDSU Human Resources Department on the fourth floor. The SDSU University Relations and Development department is now housed on the third floor, with human resources remaining on the top floor.
From the outset, the first two floors have served as classrooms for Extended Studies and its customers – members of the greater San Diego community, individuals re-entering the workforce, business people from the community, and the American Language Institute. The layout includes 12 standard classrooms, five large-capacity classrooms, a computer lab and multimedia presentation room. There is also a student lounge, reception area, the Sycuan Conference Room, and additional storage.
The groundbreaking ceremony in 2004 featured such former SDSU dignitaries as President Stephen L. Weber, Provost Nancy Marlin, and Dean William Byxbee of Extended Studies.
“We are very excited about the possibilities this new facility brings to the College of Extended Studies,” Byxbee said at the time. “As we begin new certificate programs, expand our extension offerings and increase our American Language Institute student base, we now have a state-of-the-art building to handle new demands. Not only is the space appropriate for our offerings but the ambiance created with plants, fountains, beautiful art and furniture – as well as a great patio for relaxing over coffee and pastries – is sure to please the most discriminating visitor.”
Highland Partnership of Chula Vista was the project’s general contractor. The architect was Mosher Drew Watson Ferguson.
The ESC currently provides rooms, equipment, and catering services on a short or long-term rental basis. From small, executive meeting rooms to large seminar rooms, from a coffee cart and break room to full catering services, the facility has been designed to deliver complete, professional education, training, and meeting experiences.
Rooms in the ESC can accommodate groups of 10 to 200 people. They can be equipped to meet individual needs with whiteboards, easels and pads, and a full range of audio/visual and computer equipment requirements. All of the rooms in the ESC have wireless Internet access.
For more information regarding room rentals, call (619) 594-2539 or email pzachari@sdsu.edu.
