Madera Community College faculty and staff sign steel beam at future Oakhurst campus

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- Last October, the big empty lot just past Ace Hardware in Oakhurst was filled with dust and dirt.

Nearly a year later, buildings are starting to form the future home of Madera Community College's Oakhurst campus.

"We've been focused on renderings for the last six, seven years. To see some of the renderings come to life, it's just beautiful and amazing," MCC President Angel Reyna, Ed. D. said.

Reyna says this campus is more than just buildings on a hillside.

"It's a realization that their future in terms of higher education is going to look different in terms of an educational environment and that we're invested in the community," Reyna said.

He, along with State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith and staff from Oakhurst and Madera campuses, gathered at the construction site last week.

Crews were hard at work as many of the staff and administrators put on hard hats and took a tour of the ongoing construction.

"It is amazing to watch how it started, from really just a rugged mountain to what is now going to be a beautiful campus that will serve this community for decades," Goldsmith said.

The group gathered together to continue a district tradition, each taking turns signing the final steel beam that will be used to construct the building.

Some just signed their name, while others left personal messages.

"I put a blessing and a hope for this site, students, for our community, and everyone who's going to come here," Goldsmith said.

After everyone signed, the construction crew lifted the beam off the ground. Many were excitedly snapping selfies and taking video one last time.

President Reyna says occasions like this are significant.

"I think it's always an important moment when we can bring our colleagues together and celebrate because there are a lot of challenges within higher education, lots of things happening," he said. "When we can come together and celebrate these moments, it's always an exciting day."

The new campus is scheduled to welcome students starting the spring semester of 2027.

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