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Undeterred by hot summer temperatures, an estimated 700 people turned out this afternoon for the dedication of Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Terrace Heights.

It is the first new medical school to open in 60 years in the Pacific Northwest.

"It's a very humbling experience to see this many people here for the dedication ceremony," said Lloyd Butler, chairman of the university's board of directors.

During the ceremony, which lasted about an hour and a half, the school's president, Stanley Flemming, acknowledged many of the people who helped the school move from idea to reality. Several government officials, or their representatives, were on hand, including Mike Gregoire, husband of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Plans for the new medical college were first announced in April 2005. Since then the project has had some ups and downs, Butler said. But, he added, to see it become a reality en route to the start of classes on Aug. 4 is an exhilarating relief.

A few members of the inaugural class of 75 students were also at the ceremony and many gave tours of the new building.

Ron Nilson and Roberta Church, from the Chehalis, Wash., area were among those touring the building. Their daughter, Holly Nilson, is in the first class of Pacific Northwest students.

"We heard so much about the facility, we just wanted to see it first hand," Ron Nilson said.

"It's overwhelming to me," he added, referring to both the building and the turnout for the dedication.