The rededication ceremony (Photo – PCC)
Pasadena City College marked a milestone this month with the official rededication of the historic John A. Sexson Auditorium and the campus mirror pools, celebrating the restoration of two long-standing campus landmarks and the beginning of a new chapter in their use.
By News Desk
Over the past year, both sites underwent extensive renovations after falling into disrepair. The auditorium had been closed, and the mirror pools were no longer functioning as intended. The restoration projects were funded by Measure PCC, a $565 million general obligation bond approved by voters in 2022.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see this auditorium filled with our students, our community members, our friends, and long-time PCC supporters because all of you…made this possible,” said PCC Trustee Alton Wang during the December 5 rededication ceremonies. Wang attended alongside other trustees.
The ribbon-cutting ceremonies were part of a larger evening celebration that also featured the PCC Foundation’s annual scholarship awards ceremony. The event was among the first held in the newly renovated Sexson Auditorium.
“I can’t think of a better place to host this event,” PCC President José Gómez told the audience, calling the ceremony a fitting debut for the restored space.
During the Western-themed event, the PCC Foundation awarded $300,000 in scholarships to 177 students. The ceremony drew students, faculty, staff, and community members who gathered to celebrate both student achievement and the return of the campus icons.
Designed in the Art Deco style, the Sexson Auditorium is known for its high ceilings and grand arch. Renovations preserved its historic character while adding a new floor, updated speakers and amplifiers, a new lighting control system, reupholstered seating, and upgraded technology. One notable feature remained unchanged: the auditorium’s 100-year-old stage.
“Like the generations who walked on this stage before you, your resilience and success are the driving force that moves this community forward,” Gómez told scholarship recipients. “The world is your stage, but you are not merely the actors. You are the playwrights who write your dreams into reality.”
Following the scholarship ceremony, attendees gathered at the mirror pools for a ribbon-cutting and the lighting of the area in school colors.
Originally built in the 1930s, the mirror pools were designed as a place for students to relax, study, and reflect. The restoration added new seating, tables, and umbrellas, transforming the quad along Colorado Boulevard into a more welcoming space. Wireless access points were also installed, providing strong connectivity throughout the area.
“I love seeing another generation of PCC students enjoying the mirror pools and the vibrant area around them,” Gómez said. “It is a symbol of what PCC represents: strength, persistence, and possibilities.”
(Photo – PCC)
Source: PCC
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