September 7, 2023 – Santa Fe College will hold a ceremonial groundbreaking Monday, Sept. 11, at 2 p.m. for the new Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing. It will be built on SF’s Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83rd Street across the street from the SF Gymnasium.
The facility is being named in honor of Ralph W. Cellon, a longtime supporter of the college. Cellon has been a central figure throughout the college’s history. He helped lead the effort to secure the land where the college’s Northwest Campus is located, served as an inaugural trustee on the college’s District Board of Trustees, and has continuously served for 54 years on the Board of the Santa Fe College Foundation.
“Ralph Cellon has been integral to the growth of Santa Fe College since its inception and it is fitting that this new facility be named in his honor,” SF President Paul Broadie II said. “He knows the power of a college education, and the need for highly skilled workers in the trades. As demand continues to grow in these industries, students graduating from our programs will be able to enter their career field knowing that they have been trained utilizing the latest technology and are poised for success.”
When the facility opens, the increased space will enable the college to see a 275% increase in the number of students that can be trained in HVAC and Welding. In addition, the college plans to add a new degree program in Advanced Manufacturing to help address the needs of business and industry within the community.
Construction on the facility is expected to begin next year with a projected opening of Fall 2025.