Gwinnett Tech Breaks Ground on New Life Sciences Center

April 22, 2010 - LAWRENCEVILLE — Officials from Gwinnett Technical College and the Technical College System of Georgia were joined by executives from the Gwinnett Chamber, the area’s leading healthcare systems and providers, business and civic leaders, and GTC students and alumni to celebrate the groundbreaking of the college’s new Life Sciences Center.

Gwinnett Tech currently serves 500 students in 10 health science programs. The new building will allow that student population to grow to 3,500, which is significant since more than 5,000 applicants were denied enrollment because of the demand.

“The Life Sciences Center is a project that will benefit both our community as well as our school,” said Gwinnett Tech President Sharon Bartels said. The new 78,000-square-foot, three-story facility will house 13 classrooms and lecture halls and 12 high-tech labs. GTC currently offers 10 life science and healthcare programs, and will add new programs in bioscience, nursing, cardiovascular technology, diagnostic sonography and health information technology.

When the LifeSciencesCenter is complete, in the fall of 2011, Gwinnett Tech will have more than 140,000 square feet of learning space devoted to healthcare and life sciences education. This year, more than 45 percent of GTC students are enrolled in a life sciences program. Additionally, 50 percent of the college’s current applications for admission are to one of these programs.

Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson, the commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, said explained the importance of the health care industry … not just in providing jobs, but important to the health of the community.

Quick Facts

• Design Professional: Cooper Carry & Associates
• General Contractor: Barton Malow Company
• GSFIC Project Manager: Andrew Morton
• GSFIC Contract Compliance Specialists: Steve Forman

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