George Bugen addresses an audience at the dedication of The Bugen Family Career and Technical Education Building. Family, friends and college personnel attended the event at Cochise College in Sierra Vista on Jan. 25. (Photo by Rick Whipple)
SIERRA VISTA — Last Friday, the Bugen family of Bisbee was honored for historic donations given and pledged to Cochise College to help expand the Career and Technical Education building and facilities on the Sierra Vista Campus.
The late Sam Bugen’s estate was transferred to the Cochise College Foundation in December and is the largest recorded donation in the history of the college, valued at about $1 million. The estate of George Bugen, a Bisbee native and 1947 Bisbee High School alum, has also been pledged to the foundation.
The CTE building on the east side of the Sierra Vista Campus has been named for the Bugen family, with a monument unveiled at last week’s ceremony.
“This is a beautiful honor to the Bugen family name,” said George Bugen, who became a miner in Bisbee like his father before joining the Navy and going to machinist school. He soon returned to Bisbee and found a surface job with the mining company, and he would go on to work in Peru and California before settling back in his hometown.
“I’d say it’s a bet that the rest of the family up there is looking down here right now with a big smile on their face, wishing Cochise College the best of everything in future endeavors,” Bugen said. “As for me, I think it’s the greatest thing that ever happened.”
The college expects to begin planning for the CTE expansion this year. Bugen said he wanted to give back to students pursuing vocational training because he saw first-hand how difficult it can be to secure an apprenticeship before getting a job. He said the education they receive at Cochise College will be a key step in their careers.
“All of this is made possible because of the generosity of one man and his family’s commitment to Cochise County,” said Cochise College President J.D. Rottweiler. “A man committed to making opportunities available to others.”