The University of Georgia held a dedication ceremony Oct. 30 to celebrate the completion of the first phase of renovations to modernize UGA’s Science and Ag Hill research and instruction facilities and infrastructure.
Located just south of Sanford Stadium, this area of campus includes buildings dedicated to various scientific disciplines, including biology, physics, geology, and agriculture.
Phase I of the broader Science and Ag Hill modernization project focused on Cedar Street Building C, the former Chemistry Building.
“The completion of this facility will result in multiple projects to build, renovate and modernize hundreds of thousands of square feet of research, instruction and innovation on the Science and Ag Hill,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. We are one step closer to achieving our 2020 capital plan.” . “We appreciate the strong support of Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia Legislature, Chancellor Perdue, and the Board of Trustees who made this project possible.”
Originally built in 1960, Cedar Street Building C underwent a comprehensive renovation that began with a complete demolition of the interior.
The aging interior will be replaced with state-of-the-art laboratory and support space, providing a new home for the Department of Entomology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Departments of Microbiology and Cell Biology in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. .
Features of these new spaces include open laboratories, microscopy rooms, insect containment facilities, walk-in environmental chambers, and plant growth spaces.
President Jere W. Morehead speaks at the dedication of Science and Ag Hill. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
“Connections and networking are so important, and moving into our new field has increased these opportunities tenfold,” said Taylor Medlock Lanier, a doctoral student in cell biology. Ta. “Sharing large laboratory space with four other laboratories in our department has already opened the door to collaboration between the groups, and we are very excited to see what the future holds.”
Students, faculty, and staff will benefit from new conference rooms, work spaces, staff offices, and administrative offices that will facilitate collaborative research.
“We believe that the community and research environment fostered by this newly renovated building will be very attractive to prospective students and faculty and will strengthen the value of our department and degree,” said Dr. said Kelly Timms, a student in the course.
The renovation of Cedar Street Building C follows the construction of the Science Learning Center in 2016 and the Interdisciplinary STEM Building, which was completed in 2021 and 2022.
In addition to new research space, facility renovations will help keep pace with the University’s growth in research and innovation, which has been driven by advances in fields such as infectious diseases, plant science, behavioral research, animal health, informatics, and science. and modernization are essential. And many more.
Governor Brian Kemp speaks at the dedication of Science and Ag Hill. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
“Part of the enduring beauty of a truly interdisciplinary research university is the cross-pollination that occurs between students from different schools and colleges,” said Anna Stenport, dean of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “We are excited that tomorrow’s students and faculty will continue that rich tradition in these spaces.”
The renovation of Cedar Street Building C is part of a comprehensive capital strategy aimed at modernizing Science and Ag Hill laboratories and creating flexible and efficient research and teaching spaces that support multiple disciplines .
“Today, as we dedicate the first phase of Science and Ag Hill’s modernization, we are committed to not only the physical transformation of our research and collaboration spaces, but also to innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and outreach. Congratulations on your new commitment to promoting the world,” said Nick T. Location, Dean and Director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
In total, more than 100,000 square feet of Cedar Street Building C was renovated.
The second phase of the Science and Ag Hill modernization project includes the renovation of the former Biological Sciences Building (now Cedar Street Building B), the university’s largest midcentury science facility. Construction on that project began earlier this month.
“Our state has grown in recent years, and UGA has always stepped up to meet the needs of that historic growth,” said Governor Kemp. “Prudent and strategic investments like this will pay dividends for generations.”
