Features
Georgia Southwestern ceremony kicks off $3.4 million Academic Center for Excellence renovation
On Friday, December 13, GSW held a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of renovations to the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), GSW’s primary advisement building.
During the ceremony, GSW President Neal Weaver thanked the legislative delegation that worked diligently to secure $3.4 million for the renovations in Georgia’s Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19) budget. Two of those state legislators, Sen. Freddie Powell Sims and Rep. Mike Cheokas, were in attendance. Sen. Greg Kirk was unable to attend.
“This investment is significant - not only for the amount of money - but it’s significant that this is the first real investment the state has made in this campus in over 10 years,” noted Weaver. “This is an investment in Georgia Southwestern and in our region.”
Originally constructed in 1962 as the University’s library and classroom building, the ACE Building has long been in need of aesthetic and practical upgrades. The renovation will include modernization of the HVAC system, a remodel of the interior to meet the current needs of students, and construction of two elevator shafts – one for the ACE Building and one for the adjacent English Building.
Once renovations are complete, the building will house a number of essential student services, such as financial aid and advising offices.
“The ACE Building will dramatically change the way we interact with and support our students, particularly as they begin their journey here at Georgia Southwestern,” said Weaver. “This renovation will allow us to house every support service that students need to be successful under one roof. Students will be able to get the help they need in a more coordinated, cooperative way that is not broken up by office title or building location.”
Read more about the ceremony and upcoming renovations here.
GSW to host 40th Annual MLK Convocation, Rev. Tony Lowden, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, to serve as keynote speaker
GSW will host its 40th annual MLK Convocation on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center. Reverend Tony Lowden, pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Ga., will serve as the keynote speaker. This year’s theme for convocation is “One People, One Nation, One Dream.” This is a Windows to the World event.
The MLK Convocation is sponsored by GSW’s Division of Student Engagement and Success, Black Student Union (BSU), Strong United Assertive Virtuous Educated Women (SUAVE), Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB), Serviceable, Adaptable, Beautiful, United (SABU), National PanHellenic Council (NPHC), and Student Government Association (SGA).
Learn more about Rev. Lowden here.
Georgia Southwestern recognizes 2019 graduates
GSW recognized the Class of 2019 on Friday, December 13 at the Fall 2019 Commencement ceremony in the Convocation Hall. Approximately 285 students received their bachelor’s, master’s and specialist degrees during the ceremonies, with 436 students total earning degrees this semester.
The commencement speaker for the 11 a.m. undergraduate ceremony was State Senator Freddie Powell Sims. Following an introduction from GSW President Neal Weaver, Sims spoke to the graduates about servant leadership and becoming an active part of their communities.
During the undergraduate ceremony, Georgia Southwestern also presented a posthumous degree to the family of Cole Varnum, a GSW psychology major who passed away in June 2018 due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Cole’s degree was accepted by his parents, Lynn Register and Bobby Varnum, and his sister Charley Varnum (pictured at right).
The graduate ceremony followed at 3 p.m., with 150 students receiving master’s and specialist degrees. GSW’s Dean of the College of Business and Computer Liz Wilson, Ph.D., served as the commencement speaker.
Read more about the December 2019 commencement ceremonies here.
