The University of Houston System at Sugar Land officially has opened the new 145,000-square-foot, $37 million academic building it shares with Wharton County Junior College.
Named Brazos Hall, the building adds 44 classrooms with nine science and five computer labs – adding seating for about 2,500 students to Fort Bend County’s educational resources.
The building also includes 73 faculty offices, and exercise facility, a bookstore, a 150-seat auditorium and large multi-purpose room.
Fort Bend County and area city and school district officials and other dignitaries gathered in that room Wednesday morning for dedication ceremonies.
Guests sampled a breakfast buffet and wandered Brazos Hall’s first floor as a jazz duo performed prior to dedication speeches.
“Sugar Land is one of the fastest-growing areas in the entire country, so we’re delighted to be able to provide this important facility to support the community’s ambitious educational objectives,” said Renu Khator, system chancellor and UH president.
“Brazos Hall will allow Fort Bend-area students to fulfill virtually all their lower- and upper-level educational needs at a single campus, should they wish to,” she added.
“This building is an admirable example of successfully embracing the collaborative spirit in higher education,” said WCJC President Betty McCrohan.
As an example of that, a nursing school suite will be shared by both institutions.
It was a collaborative effort that funded the building, too. Paid for in part through a community fund-raising campaign, Brazos Hall was also made possible by a $4 million donation from the George Foundation, and a $3.5 million contribution from the City of Sugar Land via a long-term lease agreement involving nearby property.
Also, the county plans to build a public library on the campus, including 5,000 square feet of space for UH and Wharton Junior College.
“We firmly believe that providing an opportunity for students to earn college degrees without having to leave Fort Bend County is a great way to invest in the future of this community,” said Gene Reed, George Foundation board chairman.
