First-time visitors will never again search in vain for the campus along Golf Club Road and Viking Drive.

At noon today, tarps, planks and plastic netting will be stripped away to reveal a large, cement sign – 7 yards long and 1 yard high – that marks the main entrance. District chancellor Helen Benjamin, President Judy Walters and board members are expected to attend.   

Sunset Building & Development, Inc., began working on the signs in August. The company kept the signs under guard for today’s unveiling at Golf Club Road to prevent the curious from getting a sneak peek.

“A published photo ahead of time would take much of the thunder from our event,” said Chrisanne Knox, DVC’s marketing and communications administrator.  

Chris Leivas, the college’s vice president of finance, said the signs cost $70,000, which came from the college’s facility use funds.

The President’s Council chose to go with cement instead of redwood, because the cost was similar, but the cement would last 30 years, Walters said.   

The signs have been a top priority with president Walters, who could not easily find the school when she first arrived two years ago.

Previously, the only campus identification was a smaller redwood sign on Golf Club Road. In addition to the two large, cement signs, two smaller signs on Stubbs Road will designate the campus.

Student Scott Lanway said the new signs will be well worth it.

“The first time I went to the campus a couple years ago, I missed my turn and got lost,” he said. “I wouldn’t wish that annoyance on anyone.”