Albany Herald

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter speaks at the groundbreaking of Phase II of the Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus on Monday afternoon. Phase II will house the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving and is scheduled for completion in late December.

AMERICUS -- With the simultaneous turn of several shovels, ground was officially broken Monday on Phase II of the new Rosalynn Carter Health and Human Sciences Complex at Georgia Southwestern State University.

The new building, which will also be the new home of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, is roughly 35,000 square feet and will also be the home of GSW's psychology and sociology departments, in addition to containing extra lab space for the sciences.

Phase I of the project, a 43,000-square-foot facility, contains classrooms and clinical space for the GSW School of Nursing. It is scheduled for competition this summer.

"This Health and Human Sciences project is perhaps the most important project in the history of Georgia Southwestern State University," GSW President Kendall Blanchard said before turning the podium over the the project's namesake.

"This university has continued to grow and has become a great institution," Carter, a GSW alumna, said. "I am honored to have my name associated with this great university."

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby said the new center is in keeping with the state's vision.

"One of our goals in the University System is to make these types of opportunities available throughout the state," Huckaby said. "I'd also like to acknowledge the Phoebe Putney Health System for making a major contribution to this facility, which will be so critical to the quality of life for the people of Georgia."

State Sen. George Hooks, D-Americus, agreed.

"I think this is a wonderful honor for a wonderful person. It is also a benefit for the people of Sumter County, the community and the people of the state of Georgia," Hooks said.