Ribbon Cutting

The Alexandria Campus community gathered to celebrate the completion of Bisdorf Phase III on September 17, 2008. Preparing to cut the ribbon are, from left, Alexandria Campus Provost Dr. Jonathan Gueverra, retired Alexandria Dean of Students Dr. Fred Hecklinger, Commonwealth of Virginia Senator Patsy Ticer, Alexandria Campus Student Government Association President Chris Mastromarino, NOVA Board Member David Miller, NOVA President Dr. Robert Templin, and Alexandria City Public Schools Assistant Superintendent John Porter.

Here are some photos from the happy event. Thanks to NOVA photographer Kevin Mattingly for sharing them.

Dr. Templin addresses the campus and guests in the new theatre.

Dr. Gueverra, Dr. Hecklinger, Senator Ticer

NOVA Board Member David Member

Alexandria Public Schools Assistant Superintendent John Porter

Alexandria Campus SGA President Chris Mastromarino

And now it's time to say goodbye. The ribbon has been cut, the cake has been consumed and Phase III is now alive with the voices of Alexandria Campus students, faculty and staff in classrooms, offices, hallways and labs. We hope you've enjoyed this opportunity to watch us grow.

Sylvia Rortvedt & Kevin O'Hagan

Alexandria Campus Library

October 20, 2008

Moving Pictures

It's moving day at last!

Registrar Niki Neal moving out...

...and moving in.

Business Manager Derrick Williams in the new Parking Office

IT Specialist Van Ky in the communications closet

Finishing touches outside...

...and inside

Thanks to Gilbane Assistant Supervisor Jamie Sarver!

Thanks to NOVA project manager Dan Priest!

Red Letter Day

July 29, 2008

It's a red-letter day for the Alexandria Campus. Phase III has a certificate of occupancy and it's time to MOVE IN!

And helping to make that happen are the campus IT staff and the Dean of Educational Support Services who are moving and installing staff computers tonight.

Dave Babel

Max Alleyne

Tariq Arsalayee

Dave Williams

Thanks, guys!

Two More Weeks

The move into Phase III is scheduled for the week of July 28, and lots of the finishing touches are...nearly finished!

The construction fence has come down.

New sod is in place.

Trees have been planted.

The entrance is nearly ready.

The reception desk is in place.

The Counseling suite is nearly ready for new students...

...as is the Business Office.

The theatre is nearly ready for groups.

Walls, floors and restrooms are bright with colorful paint and tile.

How much longer for the construction trailer?

The Phase III ribbon cutting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us in the celebration!

Theatre previews

Here's a sneak peek at the tiered theatre-style classroom

with left-handed writing arms on the aisle.

Woodwork on the ramp is nearly done.

Here's the entrance to Counseling:

And a first for any part of Bisdorf: windows that open. Here's a screen awaiting installation,

and there are built in window seats in the halls.

Finally, a view of the rain garden from a second-floor window:

One month to go -- watch for more completion details and the big move!

Breakthrough, or Getting Connected

We slip behind the billowing sheets of plastic on the third floor of Bisdorf Phase II

to show you how Phases II and III are coming together.

The brown brick wall is the exterior edge of Phase II. We're looking through the connecting area and the opening with the automatic fire door into the third floor of Phase III.

Going Green

There's a lot of green to be seen in Phase III, both on the outside

and on the inside:

But there are also some exciting environmentally green features in Phase III which you might not notice, including

• Motion sensors to turn off lights when classrooms are not in use
  
• More attractive and efficient ceiling light fixtures with two bulbs instead of four
  

• Multiple switches to control classroom lighting so you can use only what you need

• Exit signs that use energy-efficient LED technology
  

• Fume hoods that will vent the conditioned air and fumes to the outside but capture and recycle the heating/cooling energy.
  

• And outdoors, a rain garden that will capture storm water and prevent it running off into the nearby creek. This space will have plantings selected for their ability to catch and hold rainwater over a sand bed that will allow the water to soak in and re-charge the aquifer.