FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 22, 2012
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgsc.edu
SGC Celebrates Engram Hall Ribbon Cutting
Engram Hall, one of the most visible and oft-used buildings on the South
Georgia College campus, added another chapter to its storied history Tuesday
morning as individuals from throughout Georgia gathered in its lobby to
celebrate a ribbon cutting for the newly-refurbished facility.
Engram Hall was built in 1970 and named after Irby Dell Engram, who served
South Georgia College from 1946 to 1972. He began his SGC career as
Professor of Social Science as well as Acting Dean and Registrar in 1946,
and retired in 1972. He was awarded the title of Academic Dean Emeritus and
Professor of Social Science Emeritus in 1972. He and his family lived on
campus for most of that time.
For much of its history, Engram Hall has served a number of important
functions, including housing Admissions and Financial Aid, the campus
bookstore and the dining hall. Engram also contained two meeting rooms – a
small room adjacent to the main dining hall on the first floor, and a larger
banquet room upstairs. These two rooms hosted a number of community and
regional events on a regular basis; as such, Engram Hall (along with
Peterson Hall at the center of campus) is a building very familiar to
visitors, community groups/partners, students and their families, and civic
organizations.
Over the past few years, SGC has grown tremendously – over 45 percent since
2005. With this growth, Engram Hall became cramped and outdated. SGC needed
to modernize the building and transform it into a welcome mat for its
increasing numbers of students and visitors. One of the first capital
projects funded by state bonds in over 10 years, the Engram Hall project was
given the green light for a $3.75 million renovation in FY 2011.
Construction began in August 2011 to transform Engram Hall into a Student
Success Center, a one-stop shop for all student services. Completed in June
2012, the project included moving the dining hall back to its original
location near the center of campus. Engram now houses the departments of
Admissions, Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office on the first floor. The
bookstore, which was originally upstairs, is also located on the first
floor. The upstairs area of Engram features contemporary meeting spaces and
a large multi-purpose room for student/community events.
Tuesday morning, a number of distinguished guests and friends of the college
were on hand for the ribbon cutting. William “Dink” NeSmith, Vice Chair of
the Georgia Board of Regents, delivered the keynote address for the event.
NeSmith stated that the goal of the Board of Regents – creating a more
educated Georgia – was happening at SGC. He commended the college for
embracing its new role as a state college, and strengthening its academic
programs and student services to reflect its expanding mission. “I’m
especially proud when I see institutions refurbish existing buildings and
preserve their legacy for future generations,” stated NeSmith.
Nancy Juneau, CEO of Juneau Construction, also addressed the crowd. Juneau
Construction has been involved in each project on SGC that has taken place
over the last seven years. All told, over 200,000 square feet of space has
been built or renovated at SGC since 2007. According to Juneau, during the
Engram project, 47 percent of the work was performed by local contractors,
and over $2.2 million was returned to the greater Douglas-Coffee County
area.
SGC was honored to have Tye Engram, Irby Dell Engram’s son, and Michael
Moor, son of Ralph Moor, a friend and colleague of Irby Dell Engram, at the
event. Also in attendance as special guests were Douglas Mayor James Dennis;
SGC Foundation President Shelly McLean; State Sen. Greg Goggans; Gita
Hendessi of Hendessi and Associates; and representatives from Lord, Aeck and
Sargent.
At the conclusion of the program, Dr. Virginia Carson, South Georgia College
President, took a few minutes to speak to those in attendance. “Words cannot
express how excited and grateful I am to be standing in this fabulous new
space and celebrating this special occasion with so many friends of the
college. For the past three years we have been fortunate to have a ribbon
cutting each year to announce the addition of a new or renovated building to
enhance our college. Engram in particular is a milestone for our students
and us. The project is the first in several years in which we have received
state funding and it is also extra special because it will be the welcome
mat for prospective students and will allow us to better serve our students.
On behalf of our faculty, staff and students, I am so thankful to the many
wonderful partners and team of folks we have had involved in the capital
improvements over the past five years at SGC.”
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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.
