MC Unveils Transformational Learning Hub with Opening of the Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building

Montgomery College (MC) proudly announces the grand opening of the Catherine and Isiah Leggett Math and Science Building, a state-of-the-art facility set to revolutionize STEM education on the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Thursday, September 19, at 2 p.m. This cutting-edge building is designed to equip students with essential skills for high-demand careers, to fuel the workforce, and boost the economic vitality of Montgomery County.

Starting Tuesday, September 3, students will begin their fall classes in this stunning new space, benefiting from an environment tailored for success. Faculty and staff will commence their work in the building on August 26, ensuring everything is ready for the students' return.

Spanning 108,000 square feet over three stories, the Leggett Building boasts 20 advanced labs, eight versatile classrooms, a planetarium, a math and science learning center, a cybersecurity center, an atrium, and a greenhouse. These facilities provide an unparalleled educational experience, preparing students for high-wage careers as Maryland’s future engineers, cyber technicians, nurses, and other vital STEM professionals.

In honor of their philanthropic support, the building is named after former County Executive Isiah “Ike” Leggett and his wife Catherine. Their dedication to the College and its students has been instrumental in making this project a reality.

“I am thrilled that our local residents and students now have access to this state-of-the-art facility where they can master the skills needed for high-demand STEM careers,” said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, president of Montgomery College. “The Catherine and Isiah Leggett Building is the culmination of years of efforts to ensure that our students at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus have equitable access to math and science instruction in a modern, fully-equipped, and sustainable building. The College is grateful for the longstanding commitment of the county and state to revitalize this campus and deliver the funding totaling $104 million, for this project. We are also thankful for the patience of the surrounding community throughout the construction process, and I am so grateful to everyone who worked with such dedication to make this a reality.”

The Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, one of Maryland’s most diverse college campuses, offers quality instruction in over 100 disciplines to more than 7,800 students from over 140 countries. The new Leggett Building enhances the campus, home to the College's health sciences programs and the Department of Visual and Performing Arts and Community Arts.

Highlights of the Leggett Building include:

Planetarium: Features 100 movable seats under a tilted 30-foot dome, showcasing stars, nebulae, galaxies, Layered Earth simulation software, and 360-degree virtual reality video and sound.

Labs:

• Four general chemistry labs
• Two organic chemistry labs
• Three anatomy and physiology labs
• Five biology labs
• Three microbiology labs
• Two physics and engineering labs
• One environmental ecology lab with a greenhouse
• Networking lab
• LAN room
• Four computer labs

Reflecting the College’s commitment to environmental stewardship, the building is designed for LEED Silver certification with sustainable features such as:

• Resilient green building design
• Energy-efficient operations
• Seven new stormwater facilities, including rain gardens and bio-swales
• The planting of 101 new trees across 23 species, alongside shrubs, flowers, and groundcover to enhance habitat value for insects and birds, primarily using Mid-Atlantic native species

The Washington, DC-based integrated design firm, SmithGroup, led design of the Leggett Building with extensive and valuable input from the community. As part of the design process, the College partnered with LINK Strategic Partners and hosted a series of planning meetings (charettes). The charettes created a communications pathway for neighbors, faculty and staff, community members, students, the City of Takoma Park and other stakeholders to collaborate with designers on a vision for the building that balanced the needs of students, neighbors, and fiscal prudence.

When groundbreaking began on the new building in 2019, Barton Malow, the primary construction contractor, and LINK Strategic Partners along with the College hosted a series of project update forums to keep the community informed and to address questions.