HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — The University of Guam and its partners held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday for the university’s fourth new facility, the Dr. Lucio Chua Tan Student Success Center.
The two-story building, located across from the UOG Calvo Field House, will have 45,000 square feet of floor space and is estimated to cost $22.9 million. It will contain all of the university’s student services, including admissions, financial aid, counseling and advising, student health and career development.
In addition, there will be a Triton store, a coffee shop and a dining hall featuring a banquet room and meeting spaces for student organizations.
“This will be a vibrant hub for our students coming through our halls and coming through the offices that are intended to support student success in a variety of ways,” said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez.
The project was gifted $1 million by Lucio Chua Tan, a Philippines-based business tycoon. Some of Tan’s business ventures on Guam include the Micronesia Mall, Philippine Airlines, American Bakery and Guam Beachfront Residences.
“I did not hesitate (to support UOG) as education has been and continues to be a foundational philosophy of my philanthropy. I firmly believe that truly there is no end to learning,” said Sheila Pascual, representing Tan in his absence.
The Student Success Center, along with the recent launch of the School of Engineering, the Nursing Annex for the Dr. Margaret Perez Hattori-Uchima School of Health and the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific, adds up to capital projects totaling $50 million.
“If we continue to do this, together, we will have an island where every student’s dreams come true, problems get easily resolved, and everyone gets a chance at living their best life. It is time we do something about it, and it begins here, with the new student center,” said 62nd Student Government Association Vice President Christian Gyles Ramos.
The Dr. Lucio Chua Tan Student Success Center building is expected to be completed in April 2025, according to the university.
Local architect Enrico A. Cristobal designed the facility. The construction contractor is Reliable Builders Inc.
Anita Borja Enriquez
