Ground breaking at $5.8M Lisa Maloff University Center in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Work officially began on the Lisa Maloff University Center at Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Wednesday after ground was broken during a ceremony on the South Lake Tahoe campus.

Longtime South Lake Tahoe philanthropist Lisa Maloff donated $5.8 million to build the center which will become the home for current and future bachelor degree programs on the community college campus. The donation

"This is a historic moment for our college and for the South Shore community," said LTCC President Jeff DeFranco during the ceremony. "Our students now can continue to live in South Lake Tahoe while pursuing their four-year degree and it will enhance our citizenry."

The color theme of Wednesday's event was pink, Lisa Maloff's favorite color.

"A college education is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make," Lisa Maloff told the many students attending the ground breaking. "It can give you strength, it can give you the confidence to solve anything that will come your way."

The approximately 7,000 square foot building is scheduled for completion by fall of 2018 and will house four flexible classrooms that can be combined into two larger rooms for events, a lobby, restrooms, offices, and meeting spaces. There will also be an outdoor plaza to serve as a hosting area for special events.

“Lake Tahoe is a premier California destination, and it deserves a college to match,” said LTCC President Jeff DeFranco. “Thanks to Mrs. Maloff’s generous support we are laying the foundation for a 21st century learning environment for our students.”

DeFranco noted that a significant theme that emerged from a community survey conducted in 2013 during the college’s process to undergo a general obligation bond measure was the desire for four-year degree opportunities in South Lake Tahoe. The college is currently piloting two bachelor degree programs in partnership with Sierra Nevada College: Global Business Management and Psychology.

Currently, students complete their first two years through LTCC and then start upper division classes taught by Sierra Nevada College faculty on the LTCC campus. These degree programs along with other possible future partnerships with public and private universities would move into the Lisa Maloff University Center upon completion. LTCC is in talks with other potential partners like the California State University system.