Construction begins on instructional facility in Cumming
1/17/2012 4:21:03 PM
Collaborative project with North
Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College set to
broaden higher education opportunities for region
CUMMING, GA (Jan. 17, 2012) – North
Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College celebrated
the beginning of construction on a new instructional facility in Cumming, Ga.,
today.
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| Officials hold a ceremonial groundbreaking for the new University Center | GA 400 instructional facility, which is under construction on property near Ga. 400 at Pilgrim Mill Road in Forsyth County. From left are Philip Wilheit Sr., University System Board of Regents; Bonita C. Jacobs, president of North Georgia College & State University; Martha T. Nesbitt, president of Gainesville State College; H. Ford Gravitt, mayor of Cumming; and Mary H. McGruder, member of the NGCSU Foundation Board of Trustees. |
Slated to open in fall 2012,
University Center | GA 400 is being constructed on property near Ga. 400 at Pilgrim
Mill Road. The instructional center will offer a range of two- and four-year
undergraduate programs, graduate programs and professional development
opportunities. Additionally, North Georgia's MBA program, currently located in
the Cumming City Hall building, will move to the new facility.
Due to inclement weather, the
ground breaking ceremony was moved indoors to the Cumming Aquatic Center, which
is adjacent to the construction site. However, the rainy weather didn't dampen
officials' outlook for the future of the University Center.
"North Georgia College &
State University and Gainesville State College are each very strong, successful
schools in helping students enter college and earn a degree. Jointly, through
University Center GA 400, we will expand students' pathways of opportunity and
enhance the economic development and quality of life in this community," said
Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president at North Georgia College & State University.
The University System of Georgia
has identified the Cumming and Forsyth County area as an "underserved
region" of the state for higher education, and Cumming officials have been
seeking to expand higher education opportunities for the fast-growing community
for years.
"We are looking forward to
being part of the project to bring higher education to a permanent location in
Cumming. As a partner with North Georgia College & State University,
Gainesville State College through its 'student focused, learning centered'
environment will play an important role in this location. I see this as
just the beginning of an exceptional opportunity for the citizens in the
region," said Dr. Martha T. Nesbitt, president of Gainesville State
College.
University Center | GA 400 site
will not be residential and is expected to alleviate some of the capacity
pressure at the existing campuses of North Georgia College & State
University and Gainesville State College. With nearly 6,100 students, North
Georgia is nearing capacity at its Dahlonega campus and Gainesville State's
capacity has exceeded 100 percent on the Oakwood campus since 2000. In fall
2011, more than 1,500 students from Forsyth County were enrolled at both
schools -- 782 at North Georgia and 806 at Gainesville State.
More information about University
Center | GA 400 is available online at www.universitycenterga400.org.