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Week of October 6, 2005 |
Columbus High to name new tech building after Mas brothers Christopher Columbus High School this week unveiled a design for a new technology building named for three of its Cuban-American graduates. Jorge Mas Santos, Jose Mas and Juan Carlos Mas donated $2 million over a four-year period to the Mas Technology & Academic Resource Center - a new high-tech building to rise adjacent to the high school at 3000 SW 87th Ave. The Mas brothers, all graduates of the all-male school, donated the money to help finance the $8 million project. "The Mas family is such a wonderful family," said Brother Patrick McNamara, Columbus principal. "To help give funds and do something that will shape the future of Columbus is a great thing." The high school has received an additional $2.5 million in donations from parents and alumni. The technology center will be a three-story building housing six computer labs and a new library facing 87th Avenue. "The plan to build the technology center began last year and is the largest project ever undertaken by the school," said Brother Kevin Handibode, president of Columbus. The old library, built in the 1950s, will be converted to classrooms once the technology building is completed. Columbus High, on 18 acres, has about 1,300 students in grades 9-12. "With this building we're making a move toward the future and a whole new era of educational teaching," said Brother McNamara. The Mas brothers began the Mas Family Scholars Program for the top 10% of the student body. In the program, students can earn 30 college-level credits. "This is going to be first-class facility," said Jose Mas, vice chairman of family business MasTec and 1989 Columbus graduate. "What better way to say thank you to Columbus for giving us a great Catholic education?" "We are really looking forward to this building," said Brother Handibode. "When it is completed in 2008-09 it will mark the 50th anniversary of Columbus High." |
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