A new $15 million, 23,839-square-foot technology building has opened at Pensacola State College.
PSC debuted the new Baars Technology Building during a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday morning. It will house the college’s STEM programs including cybersecurity, mathematics and computer science.
“The building will allow us to expand the program and provide more class offerings per term,” said Robert Pratten, cybersecurity program coordinator. “We are currently stretched to the max in trying to provide classes for all of our students. Now we can offer classes with leading-edge technology in the classroom, keeping pace with the industry and technological advances.”
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Theo Baars III gets ready to cut the ribbon Friday on the new Baars Technology Building at Pensacola State College. (Photo: John Blackie/[email protected])
The building houses a cyber warfare range, cybersecurity center and a STEM academic support lab, which includes virtual tutoring studios. Each classroom also allows instructors to teach in-person and live online classes.
The Baars building is the first phase of a $35 million project that will include a west-wing building to house other high-tech programs such as advanced manufacturing.
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The new building replaces the old Mary Ellison Baars Building on campus, which was demolished in January 2019. At the time, it was nearly 60 years old, which made it the campus’ oldest structure.
Some math and cybersecurity classes will be moved to the new building during the current term.
“It couldn’t come at a better time because our cybersecurity program is growing. This will allow us to expand our program to serve even more students interested in careers in cybersecurity,” said Kirk Bradley, dean of Baccalaureate Studies and Academic Support, in a news release.
Madison Arnold can be reached at [email protected] and 850-435-8522.
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