It was an important day for the Augusta University Literacy Center as the ribbon was cut on its new location at The HUB for Community Innovation on Tuesday, Oct. 19.

For over 20 years, the Literacy Center has provided free instruction to students and adults, and now in a new home, the center is able to offer more opportunities to those looking to improve their reading skills.

The ceremony featured many of those who made the new center a reality, including the Community Foundation for the CSRA, the Boys & Girls Club of the CSRA and the Medical College of Georgia Foundation. The community hub was made possible from a $10 million donation from Augusta National Golf Club and its partners AT&T, Bank of America and IBM, as well as other federal grants.

Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, gave most of the credit for the center’s new home to Augusta National Golf Club.

“We would not be here without the generosity of Augusta National and their tremendous support,” said Keel. “We all know the impact Augusta National has had on the city of Augusta for many years, but they really have taken that to the next level.”

Betsy VanDeusen, PhD, Literacy Center director, said the whole goal of the center, and The HUB in general, is to bring services to the Laney Walker/Harrisburg community, an area that is generally lacking in resources.

“If you think of the governing principals of The HUB, to hear, to understand and belong, it’s important that this building is down here,” said VanDeusen.

One of the highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of a Reader’s Theater. Students of the Literacy Center, backed by their instructors, read Tug of War for those in attendance.