News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-5056 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE SEPTEMBER 20, 2006

ABAC DEDICATES $7.2 MILLION HEALTH SCIENCES BUILDING

TIFTON--Solving the nursing shortage in south Georgia got a much needed shot in the arm at Abraham Baldwin College on Wednesday when ABAC President David Bridges used a pair of surgical scissors to cut the ribbon at the dedication of the $7.2 million Health Sciences Building.

“Nursing and the health sciences will be an integral part of the very bright future of ABAC,” Bridges said.  “The nation, state, region, and immediate community demand more human capital investment in health care.   This great facility will enable ABAC to better serve students and the citizens of Georgia for decades to come.” 

Tift Regional Medical Center President and CEO Bill Richardson said the hospital was a willing partner in the building project and in working with ABAC nursing faculty in providing clinical settings for ABAC students.

“This is a great example of what happens when people work together,” Richardson said.  “We appreciate the role that ABAC plays in this community.”

Other speakers at the 35-minute ceremony on a gorgeous blue-sky morning included Julie Hunt, a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Nursing Division Chair Wanda Golden, ABAC Foundation Chair Ruth Raines, and ABAC nursing student Vickie Holloway.

“The advantage of the new Health Sciences building is that the division has more space than previously available,” Golden said. “It puts everything in a centralized location instead of being scattered around the campus.”

The 41,424 square foot building serves two functions at the college. The building is the site for classrooms and clinical labs for nursing students and houses the student health center for the entire campus.

Eight classrooms are located in the new building, including two that seat 100 students each.  Four general labs and three small specialty labs are also a part of  the building.

“We have a computer lab where nursing students can do virtual programs, as well as a skills lab,” Golden said.

Offices for the nursing faculty are also in the building, which is located on the site formally occupied by Creswell Hall and the Moore Building.

ABAC offers all nursing classes leading to an associate degree.  After a satisfactory score on the certification exam, students can receive their Registered Nurse (R.N.) designation.

The new building was funded through a combination of state, corporate, and private funds including a $1 million gift from Tift Regional Medical Center.

###