With construction of the new College of Science and Mathematics building as the backdrop, officials from Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation presented Augusta University with a donation of $100,000 for scholarships within the college and to be used toward construction of the new facility on Thursday, Jan. 30. 

The Georgia Power Foundation has designated $50,000 toward scholarships within the College of Science and Mathematics. 

The remaining $50,000 will be used toward the construction of the new 124,518-square-foot College of Science and Mathematics building that will complete the trio of buildings at The Dental College of Georgia and J. Harold Harrison, M.D. Education Commons. The proximity of the three buildings will give science and mathematics professors and students access to two 300-seat tiered auditoriums, a 150-seat tiered classroom, a 150-seat active learning classroom and a café.

“We’re grateful to Georgia Power for choosing to invest in our students and our future,” said President Brooks A. Keel, PhD. “Students’ opportunities to engage in scientific research as undergraduates — to ‘do’ science rather than just study it — will be expanded given the close proximity to researchers on the Health Sciences Campus. Moreover, College of Science and Mathematics faculty researchers will benefit from cross-disciplinary interactions and collaborations with colleagues on the Health Science Campus, thereby cementing Augusta University’s reputation as a preeminent research university.”

“Efforts in education and workforce development are crucial to helping build a bright future for generations of Georgians,” said Jason Cuevas, Georgia Power Northeast Region Vice President. “Georgia Power is proud to help open new possibilities on the Health Sciences Campus and to assist deserving students in completing their degrees through this scholarship support. These students will go on to impact our communities and our state for years to come.”

The College of Science and Mathematics’ move is part of AU’s plan to shift the college and its students from the Summerville Campus to the Health Sciences Campus as well as give the other undergraduate programs at Summerville the ability to grow.

It will also accommodate the demand for STEM education space, which will create a teaching environment that encourages more cross-departmental collaboration.

“Students, both present and future, as well as College of Science and Mathematics faculty, welcome the support of Georgia Power and the Georgia Power Foundation in providing scholarships for students who transfer from a Georgia Technical College to continue their STEM education at Augusta University. We also appreciate their gift in support of the new building being constructed on the Health Sciences Campus,” said Dr. John Sutherland, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. 

The $70 million project is set to open in the summer of 2021.