Allan Hancock College lights campus buildings blue to honor first responders and health care workers

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria residents passing by Allan Hancock College’s Santa Maria campus in the evenings may have noticed something different about the exterior lighting on the college’s Administration and Student Services buildings.

For the last two weeks, the college has bathed the two buildings in blue light to thank and honor the first responders and health care professionals who are risking their lives to keep their communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“While we are working from home and sheltering in place, these brave men and women are putting their own health at risk to keep our college and our community safe and healthy,” said the college's Superintendent and President Dr. Kevin G. Walthers. “We want to show them that we appreciate their dedicated service.”

Hancock College has been using the blue lights since April 20. Their Facilities department worked with lighting experts from Pacific Conservatory Theatre to install specialized lighting gels that turn the lights blue.

The blue lights on both buildings are turned on 20 minutes before sunset and shut off 20 minutes after sunrise every day.

Hancock College isn't the only school using blue lights as a show of appreciation. Several major US cities, stadiums and educations institutes are also illuminating important structures in blue every day including Madison Square Garden in New York, The Forum in Los Angeles and The Staples Center.

The college said that many first responders and health care workers are graduates of their very own Public Safety Training Complex and its medical assisting and nursing programs.