Colleges and Universities

Augusta State University students and faculty have a reason to celebrate with a new three-story classroom building and plans for off-campus housing and a student activities center.

University Hall officially debuted in August to rave reviews. The $12.6 million building houses the nursing department, media services, the college of education, the curriculum lab, a telecommunications studio and the writing center.

Students and faculty members accustomed to studying in old warehouse buildings were thrilled to be inside the new location for the first day of classes.

"It's like going from ghetto to condos," returning student Lisa Echols said.

The campus also has a bright new entrance that allows motorists to enter from Walton Way at Fleming Avenue. The new front features a circular driveway, a picturesque fountain, an area to drop off students and access to other parts of campus.

The new building and front entrance come as student enrollment for fall 2004 hit a record high of 6,368, which is up 4 percent from the previous year.

The six old classroom buildings have been demolished, making way for more parking and a student activities center. The new center, which should open in spring 2006, will include a fitness center, lounges, Internet cafe and large banquet room.

Construction of student housing has begun on a 24-acre lot on Damascus Road, directly across from the First Tee golf course. Named University Village, the $19.5 million project is in a wooded area not far from Wrightsboro Road and is scheduled to open in fall 2005. It will offer 508 students fully-furnished apartments with a clubhouse, a swimming pool, a computer lab, walking trails and picnic areas.

AUGUSTA STATE UNIVERSITY: 2500 Walton Way; a public institution of the University of Georgia system. It offers more than 50 programs leading to associate, bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees, a paralegal certificate and a cooperative doctoral degree; 737-1400; www.aug.edu.

AUGUSTA TECHNICAL COLLEGE: 3200 Augusta Tech Drive; a public, post-secondary institution of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. The school serves technical education needs and supports economic development of the Central Savannah River Area; 771-4000, www.augusta.tec.ga.us.

MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA: Medical College of Georgia, 1120 15th St., Augusta, the health sciences university for the University System of Georgia; includes schools of allied health sciences, dentistry, graduate studies, medicine and nursing; 721-2725; www.mcg.edu.

PAINE COLLEGE: 1235 15th St., Augusta; a private, church-affiliated, four-year co-educational college. It was founded in 1882 as a joint effort by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America (now Christian Methodist Episcopal) and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now United Methodist). The liberal arts curriculum offers 13 majors leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of sciences degree; 821-8200; www.paine.edu.

TROY UNIVERSITY: 2753 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 201; the Augusta campus offers graduate degrees in several areas, including education, health care and business administration; (706) 210-3800; www.tsuaugusta.com.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AIKEN: 471 University Parkway; a four-year college that offers undergraduate and master's degrees. It features about 40 programs of study; (803) 641-3366; www.usca.edu.

AIKEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE: U.S. Highway 1; offers associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in computer technology, industrial and engineering technology, health, public service and business; 593-9231; www.aik.tec.sc.us.

KERR BUSINESS COLLEGE: 2528 Center West Parkway, Augusta; offers certificates and diplomas in a variety of accounting, business, computer, medical and office support programs. Kerr Business College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; 738-5046; www.kerrbusinesscollege.com.

PIEDMONT TECHNICAL COLLEGE: 506 Main St., Edgefield, S.C., and 540 Wilson Road, Newberry, S.C.; offers associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in business and information technology, arts and sciences, public service and engineering technology. Edgefield campus (803) 637-5388; Newberry campus (803) 276-9000; www.ptc.edu.

-Greg Rickabaugh, Staff