CYPRESS, Calif. — Sundt Construction, Inc. recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for Cypress College’s new Science, Engineering and Math (SEM) Building.

The new $80 million SEM building will replace the current outdated structure with a new complex that includes 22 classrooms, 25 laboratories, faculty offices, support spaces and a highly advanced, 100-seat domed immersive digital classroom.

When completed, the 106,023-square-foot facility will be the first new instructional space to open on the campus since 1976 and the first new building since 2007.

“We have a proven track record working with community colleges,” said Robert Stokes, vice president and Irvine regional director for Sundt’s Building Group, California District. “Education is essential to our community’s prosperity and being a part of this community college project is something we are very proud of.”

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, the NOCCCD Board of Trustees awarded a construction bid to Sundt Companies, Inc. for the construction phase services of the project.

The new SEM building is the first project to break ground under North Orange County Community College District’s $574 million Measure J program, passed by voters in November 2014.

Cypress College’s SEM division contains seven programs, including: biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, mathematics, physical science, and physics. The division currently offers 289 course sections to 8,287 students.

“Cypress College has served the North Orange County students and surrounding communities for over 52 years, and we are thrilled to start construction on this beautiful new addition to our college,” said Cypress College President Dr. JoAnna Schilling. “We take pride in offering exemplary educational programs in science, engineering and math, and are proud to be contributing to the future careers of our students and the local businesses that employ our students.”

The groundbreaking celebration included representatives from Cypress College, North Orange County Community College District, Sundt, LPA Inc., MAAS and Porter Consulting LLC. The new building is slated to open in time for fall semester 2021.

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