Georgia College celebrated two new state-of-the-art construction projects­­—one just breaking ground and the other finishing up— on Wednesday, Sept. 29.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Georgia College’s new $3.4 million Andalusia Interpretive Center at 2628 N. Columbia Street in Milledgeville.

Shovels of dirt were turned to commemorate the start of construction for Andalusia’s new Interpretive Center. The 4,860 sq. ft. building is designed to blend in with the historic architectural aesthetics of the site. Alumna and author Flannery O’Connor spent her last years at the Andalusia farmhouse, composing many of her short stories, articles and letters.

The center will be used as a point-of-entry for public tours at Andalusia. There will be an exhibition room, research area, gift shop, offices and rental facilities. Outside, there will be a story-telling courtyard and walkway connecting to the rest of the property.

“I’m excited about the opportunities this new center will bring,” said Matt Davis, director of historic museums. “From a state-of-the-art exhibition and collection storage facility to research rooms and event spaces, this facility will allow us to better meet our mission and tell a more complete story about the history of Andalusia, Flannery O’Connor, her writing, family and life on the farm.”

Then later that afternoon, a ribbon-cutting was held for the $22.1 million Integrated Science Complex (ISC) at 141 W. Montgomery Street. It fits in with other buildings on campus with its rocking chair front porch and brickwork. But the new 43,000 sq. ft. structure is also notable for its modern array of floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Inside, there are walls of windows. Visitors are welcome any time of the day to walk the perimeter halls and see students and faculty working in laboratories.

“This building was designed to be science on display,” said Dr. Indiren Pillay, chair of biological and environmental sciences. “The building epitomizes a sea-of -change in the way we think as scientists at Georgia College. This building is a monument to that.”

Not only will science be on display in the new building; art will be featured as well. The building will contain the family art collection donated by Jim and Karen Fleece.

“With the art that will hang on the walls, and the science activity that’ll be on display, the ISC is the perfect embodiment of our mission, scope and collaborative spirit,” said Dr. Eric Tenbus, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.