DeKalb Technical College Experiences a Renaissance
Before a crowd of over 300 community and business leaders on Monday, January 7, 2008, DeKalb Technical College’s President cut the ribbon to Phase I of its major Renaissance of the Clarkston Campus. At a cost of approximately $25,000,000, the 78,000 square foot, two-story classroom addition and 20,000 square foot Conference Center are the first major renovations for the Clarkston Campus since 1961. Following the official ribbon cutting, business and community partners were invited to share their ideas for the future of the College at a Community Forum and reception.
“This is a monumental milestone in the life of DeKalb Technical College,” says President Dr. Robin Hoffman. “This facility will provide a multitude of new educational opportunities for our students.”
The new 78,000 square foot educational facility located at 495 Indian Creek Dr., Clarkston, houses a 15,000 square foot Learning Resource Center and a Student Success Center. Programs included in the educational building are general education, computer information systems, and business technology. Built by The Facility Group as a design-build project, the new additions came in ahead of schedule and under budget. The Georgia State Finance and Investment Commission is the organization fiscally responsible for the building.
The 20,000 square foot Conference Center houses over 10,000 square feet of meeting space with flexible layout options. The Conference Center is available for student activities and is open to the public for business meetings, seminars, wedding receptions, banquets or holiday parties. The ceiling mounted projectors, automatic screens, and wireless capabilities offer a totally high-tech experience. “This world-class Conference Center provides DeKalb Tech with a viable link to the community,” adds Dr. Hoffman.
Phase II of DeKalb Tech’s Renaissance includes renovation of the existing space for Student Affairs and the creation of a “One-Stop-Shop” environment. Phase III involves the renovation, enhancement, and upgrade of the original facilities.
In his opening remarks as the keynote speaker for the event, Commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia Ron Jackson congratulated the College on its accomplishments and emphasized the value of technical education, “Technical colleges are important to the economic viability of the State,” he said. “Technical college graduates are sought after in the business community, and DeKalb Technical College is a microcosm of what must be done in technical education throughout the State of Georgia.”
Other dignitaries in attendance were representatives from the Technical College System of Georgia and the University System ; State and local elected and appointed officials; state and local members of the Technical College Boards of Directors; DeKalb Technical College Foundation Board members; and faculty and staff. The Community Forum and reception, which enjoyed festive decorations, refreshments, and entertainment, was sponsored by The Facilities Group, Hall Weir, Admobile Atlanta, and the DeKalb Technical College Foundation.
DeKalb Technical College is a unit of the Technical College System of Georgia and offers degrees, diplomas, and certificates in Business Technologies; Computer Information Systems & Engineering Technologies; Health & Human Services; and Industrial & Transportation Technologies. For information on admissions, call 404-297-9522, ext. 0. Continuing Education, non-credit programs are offered through Economic Development.
Contact Loretta Hicks at 404-297-9522, ext. 0. For information on the Conference Center, contact Julie McKay at 404-345-1119.
