QCC Announces “Topping Out” of New QuEST Center

Worcester, MA – December 22, 2014 – Quinsigamond Community College is proud to announce that the QuEST (Quinsigamond Engineering, Science and Technology) Center has reached the last phase of steel construction and has celebrated with a brief “Topping Out” ceremony today at the 670 West Boylston Street, Worcester location.

QCC celebrated the milestone with a time-honored tradition in commercial steel construction known as a “Topping Out” ceremony that observes the point at which the last steel beam is raised into place at the highest point of construction. The last beam is typically decorated with a small evergreen tree and an American flag, and then raised.

President Gail Carberry said, “We’re delighted to hit this milestone because it means that we’re one step closer to our goal of being able to serve more students with a state-of-the-art facility, which will in turn feed the local economy with highly skilled workers that are needed in the STEM fields.”

The QuEST Center is significant in that it is the latest in QCC’s efforts to address the area’s growing need for skilled workers in the fields of biotechnology, biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, advanced manufacturing, electromechanical technology/robotics and automation, as well as energy utility technology.
The new, 30,000 square foot facility will enable QCC to enhance current program offerings, develop new programs and serve more students. 

In March, Governor Patrick presented a grant award of nearly $500,000 from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to QCC, earmarked for fit-up, furnishing and equipment for the specialized space in the new QuEST Center.  A $23 million state bond also supports this effort.  

QCC broke ground for the building on April 10 and is on schedule for an early 2016 opening.