Yesterday evening, South Seattle College celebrated the dedication of the Hermanson Sustainable Building Science Technology Center.

The dedication ceremony recognized Hermanson Company’s founder, Jerry Hermanson, for his support of South Seattle College. Jerry, a construction industry trailblazer, is a former member of both the President’s Advisory Council at South Seattle College and the South Seattle College Foundation Board of Directors.

Jerry and his wife Linda have been longtime advocates for post-secondary student success in the region. Their generous contributions include the Jerry and Linda Hermanson Endowed Scholarship and the Hermanson Sustainable Building Science Technology Endowment which supports programs and activities associated with the Bachelors of Applied Science degree in Sustainable Building Science Technology at the College. In addition to his dedication to the advancement of the industry, Jerry has spent his career focused on the development of construction education programs throughout the region.

“Jerry Hermanson is a part of our campus community,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said. “Jerry and his wife Linda have dedicated time, expertise and financial resources to South, and we’re honored to express our gratitude to them with this recognition.”

Jerry began his educational journey at Olympic Junior College, followed by a sheet metal apprenticeship. After heading the sheet metal division at MacDonald Miller and managing large projects in Alaska and Washington, Jerry opened Hermanson Corporation in 1979, specializing in HVAC construction for Seattle landmarks such as the Columbia Tower. Today, Hermanson Company has grown to a $150 million full mechanical construction, engineering, service and energy conservation firm with more than 450 employees.

The bachelor degree program at South Seattle College for Sustainable Building Science Technology is one of the first of its kind and is one of few offered in the country. Through this program, students learn how to work with and in today’s sophisticated buildings and how to manage the people and resources needed to be successful. You can learn more about the program by visiting the South Seattle College website: http://www.southseattle.edu/programs/bas/sustainable-building-science-technology/