FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
SGC Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Dining Hall
Ten months after construction began on South Georgia College’s new dining
hall, the project has been completed and students are eating in a modern,
new facility. The 292-capacity space is a blend of old and new architecture,
and offers students a variety of dining options. To celebrate the opening of
this new facility, the SGC community recently hosted a ribbon cutting to
show off the dining hall to the community.
The
$6.5 million project was a public–private venture between the South Georgia
College Foundation and the Atkinson-Coffee Economic Development Authority.
The new dining hall is located in the building that actually served as the
SGC cafeteria for decades. The original building was constructed in 1927,
and served as the dining hall until it was converted to classroom space when
the cafeteria moved to Engram Hall in the early 1970s. The new facility
blends the older portion of the building with new, modern construction that
preserves the historical integrity of the architecture. The dining hall is
also the last step in moving the student life center to the southern area of
campus. Now, the residence halls, recreation facilities, campus store and
dining hall are all centrally located in close proximity to each other.
The new dining hall has been designed with future expansion in mind,
approximately doubling its current footprint. Ambling University Development
Group, Hendessi and Associates, Juneau Construction Company, and Lord, Aeck
and Sargent architecture firm are the development partners involved in this
project.
“In the early 1970s, there was a lot of excitement because we thought we
were on the verge of becoming a four-year institution. That excitement died
down until SGC adopted a master plan. The Wellness Center was built and
other projects followed. Then Dr. Virginia Carson came along. Now we have a
four-year degree in nursing. We’re excited about the future, and this
college has never let us down,” said Mayor Jackie Wilson at the ceremony.
Benjamin J. Tarbutton, Chair of the Board of Regents, attended the ribbon
cutting as well. “This new dining hall is another step forward for this
college and for Dr. Carson. We are very supportive of her work here at South
Georgia College,” he stated.
“All of the previous renovations of the existing building had depleted the
structure of the building. It wasn’t plumbed and square. We had to fix that
as we worked on this project. Also, because the project took place in the
middle of campus, we had to be very careful as we worked. We had to take the
old and blend it into the new. We built about 9,500 square feet of new space
and renovated 6,500 square feet of old space. About 40 percent -- $1.8
million – came from local vendors and subcontractors. We love this campus
and we love seeing it transformed. It has been an honor and privilege to be
a part of this,” commented Nancy Juneau, CEO of Juneau Construction Company.
Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President, closed the ceremony with a few remarks
of her own. “A project like this sends an important message to students. It
shows that this institution cares. It shows we recognize the needs of our
students, and we are willing to go the extra mile to make sure those needs
are met. The students have ownership of this dining hall. It is located next
to their community. It’s a space they can call their own, one devoted
entirely to them. At South Georgia College, we say every student counts.
This dining hall is just the most recent example of our commitment to each
and every student on this campus,” she said.
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About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment
gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and
close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer
opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible
to the citizens of its service area.
