Emerson to broadcast LA groundbreaking live

Emerson students, parents, faculty, alumni, and staff near and far are invited to watch the groundbreaking ceremony for the College’s new facility in Los Angeles on Thursday, March 8, live on www.emerson.edu/la-groundbreaking beginning at 1:40 pm EST/10:40 am PST. Emersonians are also encouraged to participate on Twitter using the hashtag #EmersonLA.

Speakers at the event will include Henry Winkler ’67, President Lee Pelton, Los Angeles City Councilman Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Chair of the Emerson Board of Trustees Jeffrey Greenhawt ’68, Lucia Cottone ’92, and project architect Thom Mayne.

“This is an important moment for Emerson,” said Vice President for Communications and Marketing Andy Tiedemann. “We wanted to enable Emersonians from around the world to join us.”

Emerson College’s new West Coast facility will be located at the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Gordon Street in Hollywood, and has been designed by world-renowned architect Thom Mayne.

The building will enrich academic programming and opportunities for Emerson students and will incorporate the existing internship program as well as potential new initiatives. An academic advisory committee formed by President Pelton is reviewing a variety of proposals for new academic programs this spring and summer. The building will include a residence hall, classrooms, and administrative spaces.

Construction is expected to be completed in time to move the current Los Angeles program to the new facility beginning in the spring of 2014, in anticipation of full operations beginning Fall semester 2014.

The groundbreaking will also be celebrated that same evening at the 12th Annual Emerson Film Festival, which will be held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills at 7:30 pm. Los Angeles–area Emersonians are invited to attend.

Admission to the Film Festival is $25 for the general public; $15 for Emerson GOLD members (graduates of the last decade, 2001–2011); and free for current Emerson students. A reception will follow the screenings. To secure tickets in advance, contact monique_thorne@emerson.edu. Tickets can also be purchased at the event.