Athens, Ga. – This year marks the 50th anniversary of the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center and Hotel. Since it opened Jan.1957, the Georgia Center has been the focal point for the University’s continuing education efforts and connects UGA with lifelong learners throughout the world.
“The theme for our anniversary is ‘Building a Tradition of Lifelong Learning,'” said Robert Leiter, director of the Georgia Center.”Looking back at our last 50 years, the Georgia Center has remained true to its mission by providing exceptional programs in a stimulating living and learning environment with superior service.”
During 2007, the Georgia Center is thanking its supporters by offering 50th Anniversary pricing on selected courses and honoring many long-standing clients, some of whom have been coming to the Georgia Center since it opened. The year-long celebration will be marked by a series of events including a photo display that will be unveiled in February highlighting thecenter from its creation to its continuedrole in the university’s public service and outreach efforts.
“It’s because of our people, our partnersand the support of the university that we’ve been able to remain relevantfor 50 years,” Leiter said. “We look forward to building on our foundation of excellence as we continue finding innovative ways of improving lives through learning.”
With funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the continued support of the state of Georgia, the center has forged partnerships with numerous UGA colleges, schools and departments as well as hundreds of businesses, professional organizations and associations. Every year, more than 95,000 people participate in certificate programs, professional and personal development courses, conferences and special events at the center.
“The Georgia Center has served the state well for half a century and continues to get better,” said Art Dunning, UGA’s vice president for public service and outreach. “Extensive renovations, adding wireless Internet access, enhanced customer service and other recent improvements have contributed towards the Georgia Center being named one of the top six university residential conference centers in the nation.”
For more information on the 50th anniversary, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/50th.
The Georgia Center, celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2007, is a unit of the University of Georgia’s Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. The center provides innovative lifelong learning opportunities through its continuing education programs. On UGA’s campus, the Georgia Center includes a full-service hotel with 200 rooms and suites, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and a computer lab – all under one roof. For more information, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.
