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Spring 2004 Volume 7 Number 2 |
Home » MSC Today Magazine » Spring 2004 » Introducing the Charles H. Jones Building
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Building for the Future
By Sheron Smith Photos By Bruce Radcliffe
Macon State College just took a quantum leap into the future. On a beautiful spring day in late March, with a crowd of about 400 looking on, College officials and invited dignitaries formally dedicated the Charles H. Jones Building, MSC's largest and most technologically advanced academic facility. When students fill the new labs and classrooms for the first time this summer semester, Macon State will boast one of the state's premier learning environments for nursing and other degree programs vital to the College's core academic mission and to Central Georgia's economy. "Make no mistake about it," MSC President David A. Bell told the dedication audience, which spilled over the sidewalk and into the street running in front of the three - story structure. "The $16 million invested by the state of Georgia in this building will return dividends to this region for many years to come. This building is exactly what we need at this point in time. At 78,000 square feet, the Jones Building - an attractive blend of steel, glass and brick - has more instructional space alone than the entire campus did when Macon State opened in 1968. The new space, including ultra - modern science labs and "smart" classrooms wired for technology, will be largely devoted to expanding, in both quantity and quality, the College's degree programs in nursing and other health sciences, math and natural sciences.
"The community has a need for these programs, particularly to help deal with the area's nursing shortage, and it so happens that these programs are central to our academic mission," Bell said. "It's very exciting that Macon State is in a perfect position to address some of the issues this region is facing." Besides celebrating the latest in a string of MSC facility milestones, the March 25 dedication was an opportunity for the campus community to honor Charles H. Jones, the Macon civic leader for whom the new building is named. A recognized champion of higher education in Georgia, Jones was a strong advocate for the College's focused baccalaureate mission. He also played a key role in the reorganization of the MSC Foundation, which is raising record levels of private support for the College's enhancement. "Charles Jones knows a good investment when he sees one," Bell said. "And because of that, Macon State College has grown in stature in the University System of Georgia." Jones took part in the dedication ceremonies along with his wife, Ves Jones, and his son, Dwight Jones, who is president of Ocmulgee Fields Inc. and also heads up the Charles H. Jones Family Foundation. Dr. Thomas Meredith, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, also participated, noting the historic significance of the occasion. "This is a fantastic building," Meredith said. "Macon State College is in a great growth mode."
Jones agreed and told the dedication audience that he wants to see the growth continue. "I have high expectations for this College," he said, "and I expect it to change a great deal more in the years to come." The Jones Building got high marks from many of the students, faculty, staff and visitors who toured the facility after the dedication. "The labs in this building are excellent," said Breezy Houston, a health information management major. "Macon State obviously wants students in healthcare programs to get the best education possible." Charlene Goodwin, an associate professor and director of the health services administration degree program, said the beauty of the Jones Building will only enhance what is already a "positive learning environment" at the College. "It's an outstanding addition to our campus," she said. "I'm looking forward to using classrooms that are wired for easy access to the latest technology." Charles Matson, director of the College's respiratory therapy degree program, also said aesthetics can have a positive impact on learning. "It's up to students whether they want to learn, but we can provide an environment that is conducive in learning," he said. "The Jones building is definitely an environment that is conducive to learning." Todd Greene, a nursing major, agreed the new building will motivate students, "especially freshman nursing students. It's an architecturally stunning building." The Charles H. Jones Building: Facts & Figures
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