NEWS

Education & Colleges

May 21, 2013 — Savannah State University will launch in fall 2013 a new bachelor of business administration degree program in global logistics and international business (G-LIB).  The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the program at its May meeting.

The four-year, interdisciplinary G-LIB degree program is the first of its kind in the state of Georgia to focus on both global logistics and international business.  Students will take courses in international business, management, marketing, logistics and supply chain, economics, finance and entrepreneurship.  Particular emphasis will be placed on increasing awareness and understanding of globalization, international business, global logistics and supply-chain management as they apply to the Savannah region — home of the Port of Savannah, recognized as one of the most strategic ports on the East Coast.

“As a major trade gateway on the Eastern Seaboard, Savannah is at the heart of the globalization process,” said Reynold Verret, Ph.D., provost and vice president of Academic Affairs.  “The global logistics and international business program will produce graduates who have exceptional knowledge of logistics and international business, and the practical skills to support local companies and the wider business community.”

Previously offered only as a minor, the G-LIB major will be coordinated through the Global Logistics and International Business Education and Research Center, which was established in February 2011 as part of the College of Business Administration (COBA).  The center promotes economic development, trade, growth and job creation by engaging Savannah State students and the Savannah business community with industries and institutions abroad.

Construction & Building

Stadium seat expansion and Football Operations Facility construction dates draw near

May 21, 2013 – Demolition of the scoreboard at the east end of Allen E. Paulson Stadium begins today, Monday, May 20th, as preparation begins for the upcoming stadium expansion and Football Operations Center projects. Both projects have a planned June 6th construction start date with expected completion in May 2014. The removal of the venerable scoreboard, originally installed in the mid-1990s, signals a new era for Paulson Stadium and the Georgia Southern Football program.

“The Stadium expansion and the Football Operations Center projects represent the initial steps in our journey into the Football Bowl Subdivision,” said Georgia Southern Director of Athletics Tom Kleinlein. “As Georgia Southern continues to grow, it is important that our athletics facilities reflect the same commitment the University has demonstrated with its first-class academic facilities with the new biology building, library expansion and renovations of the College of Public Health and Foy music building, to name just a few.

“We want to ensure that when we become a member of the Sun Belt Conference, our facilities are attractive to prospects, provide a great experience for our fans and student-athletes, and portray the image of the prominent university Georgia Southern has become,” Kleinlein said. “This stadium expansion is in line with that philosophy and will include new amenities for all fans to enjoy while maintaining some of the traditions fans expect when they visit Paulson.”

Last fall, students overwhelmingly approved of a $25 per-semester fee to fund construction of  6,200 new seats, which includes two lower-level seating areas of approximately 1,100 seats each and a mid-deck to accommodate an additional 4,000 seats. When the cost of the seat expansion project is retired, that fee will terminate. The additional permanent seating will now accommodate 50 percent of the University’s student population as compared to only 20 percent with the original configuration.

The 50,000-sq. foot Football Operations Center, to be located between the east end zone and Lanier Drive, provides space for the essential functions of the Eagle Football program in one central location with locker rooms, meeting spaces, coaches’ offices, strength and conditioning, athletic training and equipment.  In addition to serving as the day-to-day center for the team, the facility will also include a large Hall of Fame exhibit area to display the program’s history and honor Georgia Southern legends.

Two constructions zones allow for work to be performed concurrently, beginning with extensive site preparation, followed by pouring of structural foundations. The new lower-level seating areas will be available for use for the 2013 season. As the stadium seat expansion project progresses, supports for mid-deck will be installed with a large portion of that work to take place after the completion of the season.

The Paulson Stadium expansion, which will provide additional seating for the University’s spring Commencement as well as other events, and Football Operations Center are two of many construction or major renovation projects taking place on the Georgia Southern University campus.  Construction and renovation projects recently competed or underway total more than $120 million.

A new $44 biological sciences building and support facilities anchor the southwest corner of Akins Boulevard and Forest Drive while Sanford Hall undergoes renovation to convert it from a residence hall space to classroom and administrative use. The complete transformation of Landrum Dining Hall, a new construction, and Lakeside, a major renovation, will better serve the campus community with contemporary facilities.  Development also continues on the 167-acre University Park Recreation Complex and the Shooting Sports Education Center.