Collin College's Central Park Campus held a ribbon cutting Jan. 20 to unveil its new Cary. A. Israel Health Sciences Center.[/caption]

The new Cary A. Israel Health Sciences Center at the Collin College’s Central Park campus in McKinney held its first classes on Jan. 20 following a ceremonial ribbon cutting, which included the college’s administration and former presidents.

“This health sciences center is just one more step in cementing Collin County’s reputation as a leader in health care education in North Texas, a process that began three decades ago on the same plot of land where this center now stands,” Collin College board Chairman J. Robert Collins said.

The three-story, 125,000-square-foot health sciences located on the northeast side of the

Cary A. Israel, the colleges second district president seen here in the red tie, cuts the ribbon on the new Cary A. Israel Health Sciences Center at the schools Central Park Campus.[/caption]

campus will feature state-of-the-art hospital labs for students in nursing, emergency services, surgical technology, respiratory care and polysomnographic technology sleep disorders programs as well as classrooms and faculty offices.

"The future of Texas health care starts in buildings just like this one, built around award-winning programs and our established Center of Excellence in Nursing Education," Collin College President Neil Matkin said. "Collin College can deliver quality at a price point that benefits the state, taxpayers and students helping to fill Texas' critical needs."

The center’s ribbon cutting was also held on the college’s 30^th anniversary of the Central Park campus opening. The center is also named after the college’s second and longest-serving president Cary A. Israel.

"The letter A on this building," Israel said, referring to his middle initial, "stands for 'all of us' because this wouldn't have happened without all of you. Everyone in this room has made a difference."

Upon completion of the new health sciences center, Collin College will begin renovation of vacated space in the main building of the Central Park campus. There are also plans to create a student center with spaces dedicated to student collaboration.