LSC-Montgomery's Louise Casey shows off the drawing of the new Science Center to guests during the groundbreaking ceremony to kickoff construction of Lone Star College-Montgomery's three new instructional buildings- the Science Center, the General Academic Center, and the Music Hall. A reception was held in the commons and the groundbreaking ceremony was held in the school's theater. Photo by David HopperBy the spring semester of 2011, the Lone Star College – Montgomery campus is expected to grow 60 percent, with the addition of three new buildings including a Health Science Center, a Music Hall and a General Academics Building.

“We are trying to attract high caliber students looking for an opportunity to shine,” said Austin A. Lane, president of the campus. “We value them, and we are invested in their success. It makes me feel good to provide a quality campus.”

This is only the second expansion at The Woodlands-based campus since it opened it 1995, despite a growth in the student population from about 3,200 to nearly 11,000 enrolled for the fall semester. The college added a 72,000 square foot library and classroom building in 2003.

The new facilities will add about 150,000 square feet of instruction space to the 350,000 square foot campus, which will be able to accommodate thousands of additional students in the years ahead. The expansion will open up new classroom space and faculty offices, increase available labs and technology and provide the first stand-alone music hall in the Lone Star College system.

In addition to the academic buildings, the campus is also adding a 1,000 space garage to give the expanding student base more space to park.

Finally, the campus is expected to break ground in the near future on a new satellite campus in Conroe. The 83,000 square foot facility at 777 N. FM 3083, will house general academics as well as the college’s workforce programs, which includes training in automotive technology, welding, heath, ventilation, air conditioning and machining.

The new buildings are being funded through a $420 million bond issue approved by voters in 2008. It is just one of many expansion efforts going on systemwide at Lone Star College, the fastest growing college and largest community college in Texas.

Nationwide, 40 percent of all college students enter higher education in a community college and community colleges account for 40 percent of the entire student body in higher education, said Lane.

“This is truly a landmark day not only for Lone Star College – Montgomery, but the Lone Star system as well,” said system Chancellor Richard G. Carpenter. “We are adding one million square feet of space to our system. That’s more than two times the square footage of the average Texas community college.”

The new two-story Health Science Center, which will be linked to the existing building B, will offer 60,000 square feet of classrooms and specialized laboratories. For the popular nursing program, students will get a simulation lab with high fidelity mannequins. There will be a training classroom for physical therapist assistants as well as dedicated labs for biotechnology, microbiology, biology and physics.

“We will be able to teach students in the lab not just the skills, but the concepts and clinical judgment and clinical decision-making,” said Manijeh Azhang Scott, director of nursing at Lone Star College-Montgomery.

The new 20,000 square foot Music Hall will include a 175-seat rehearsal hall, as well as a music laboratory and practice and rehearsal rooms. It is being designed by JaffeHolden, who created or renovated such concerts halls as the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Lincoln Center in New York and Cleveland Orchestra’s Severance Hall.

For Earl Holt, chairman of the campus’ performing arts department, it will mean leaving behind a theater designed for theatrical performances and stepping into a facility especially designed for music.

“I think the jewel is the new recital hall,” said Holt. “This theater was not built for music. It was built for plays. But the recital hall will have wooden surfaces that reflect the sound.”

Founding faculty member Martina Kusi-Mensah, a professor of English, said the new general academic hall offers lots of space and technology. The 75,000 square foot building will have 22 computer labs, 18 general classrooms, two language labs and a 100 seat lecture hall.

“I think students will enjoy the amount of space and the technology,” said Kusi-Mensah. “There is a white board and computer in every classroom.”

Construction on the three building will start in November, and the new facility are expected to open by December 2010. With the new instruction space, the college will be able to handle more students and expand its offerings within classes, such as science, chemistry and physics. The college system will determine in the next budget process whether additional staff will be added, said Steve Scheffler, dean of college relations for Lone Star College-Montgomery.

Lone Star College Additions
Lone Star College Montgomery is expected to add three new buildings and increase is instructional space by 60 percent by next December. Following is a snapshot of the new buildings under construction.
General Academics
• Two story, 75,000 square feet
• 22 computer labs
• 18 general classrooms
• Two dedicated language labs
• A 100-seat lecture hall
• 45 faculty offices and two resource rooms for adjunct faculty
• Located south of building F, near University Center
Health Science Center
• Two story, 60,000 square feet
• 30 classrooms and specialized labs for biotechnology, microbiology, biology and physics
• Nursing simulation lab with high fidelity patient simulator, intensive care units, hospital beds and debriefing room
• Training classrooms for physical therapists assistants
• 45 faculty offices
• Located on the north side of Building B and will be connected to that building.
Music Hall
• 20,000 square foot free standing building
• 175 seat recital hall
• Music laboratory
• 13 individual practice rooms
• Band hall and choir room
• Five faculty offices
• Located on the east side of Building D
Source: Lone Star College-Montgomery