Ribbon cutting held for Santa Fe College’s new Cellon Institute 

Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie II, members of the District Board of Trustees, Foundation, legislative delegation and Jerry Cellon prepare to cut the ribbon on Tuesday morning.
Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie II, members of the District Board of Trustees, Foundation, legislative delegation and Jerry Cellon prepare to cut the ribbon on Tuesday morning.
Photo by Nick Anschultz

Nearly two years after putting shovel to dirt, Santa Fe College’s Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing is ready to serve students. 

SF and state officials gathered underneath the outdoor covered lab at the back of the institute on Tuesday morning in Gainesville for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating its completion. 

The facility – located in the same parking lot as the Charles R. Perry Construction Institute on the college’s Northwest Campus – will allow SF to meet current and future workforce needs through the expansion of key trades programs in welding and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), along with the addition of an Engineering Technology Advanced Manufacturing degree program, which has a specialization in semiconductors.  

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Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie II offers remarks at the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Nick Anschultz
Photo by Nick Anschultz Santa Fe College President Paul Broadie II offers remarks at the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Today’s building represents that hard work, our mission and our commitment to workforce development,” SF President Paul Broadie II said.  

The Cellon Institute is named in honor of the late Ralph W. Cellon, who died earlier this year. 

Cellon, affectionately known as “Uncle Ralph,” was a longtime supporter of the college. He helped lead the effort to buy the land where the Northwest Campus is located, served as an inaugural member on the college’s District Board of Trustees and served 54 years on the Santa Fe College Foundation Board.  

“Sometimes you have champions that hold your feet to the fire. Sometimes you have champions that say, ‘this is what we need to do, and let’s get it done.’ Sometimes you have champions that are pillars of the community, that are so deeply passionate about the mission, but more importantly, passionate about changing someone’s life. One such man was Uncle Ralph,” Broadie said.  

Many of Cellon’s family members were present at Tuesday’s ceremony, including his wife, Jerry. 

Classes at the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing will begin on Monday, Aug. 25
Photo by Nick Anschultz Classes at the Ralph W. Cellon Jr. Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Manufacturing will begin on Monday, Aug. 25.

While offering remarks, Jerry said she was “so thankful” that Ralph was able to be present for the Cellon Institute’s groundbreaking and topping-off ceremonies.  

“And I believe he is here today [in spirit],” she added. 

Broadie said projects such as the Cellon Institute don’t happen by accident, adding it costs money. He touted former Sen. Keith Perry and former Rep. Chuck Clemons for their help in securing $1.8 million in state appropriations for the project. 

During the ceremony, Broadie also asked many other supporters not named in the remarks who had a “fingerprint” on making the Cellon Institute a reality to stand up and be recognized.  

Following the ribbon cutting, attendees were invited to tour the facility, meet with students and faculty, and learn more about the programs to be held there. 

Classes are slated to begin in the Cellon Institute on Monday, Aug. 25.  

Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida   

Attendees at Tuesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony socialize in the welding classroom. Photo by Nick Anschultz
Photo by Nick Anschultz Attendees at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony socialize in the welding classroom.

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