Ingram hints at continuously
adding to the curriculum. He
is also the executive and
creative director for the Rome
International Film Festival.
The timing seems to be right
for more enhancements and
he and his team are working
on improvements as this
magazine is being distributed.
REALIZING
REHABILITATION
Dr. Heidi Popham, President
of Georgia Northwestern
Technical College, is proud
of the students, faculty and
staff and the quest for more
opportunities to add capacity.
Most recently, the US
Department of Labor, Governor
Kemp and Technical College
of Georgia Commissioner Greg
Dozier awarded the college
its share of a statewide $4.5
million grant with a focus on
manufacturing. Dislocated
workers, incumbent workers
and new entrants to the
workforce will all benefit.
Perhaps the welding program
is a preview of this type of
program. Adult nonviolent
offenders from the Work
Release Center are learning a
new skill for a much brighter
future. All 12 students
successfully earned both
American Welding Society
certifications, achieving a
100% completion rate. Nine of
the 12 are already employed,
so that’s a 75% employment
rate, and likely will be 100%
within one year.
ANIMAL SCIENCE AND
SCHOLARSHIPS
Perhaps the biggest news on
the Berry College campus is
the Animal Science Teaching
and Research Center. This
23,000 square foot building,
nearly $16 million invested,
is on schedule to finish this
summer, opening in fall 2021.
It adds to the popular Animal
Science major, thanks to the
historic agriculture and science
curriculum and internationally
recognized expansive campus.
The 98 percent acceptance
rate for those with 3.3 GPA or
higher and desiring to enter
Veterinary College earns
its exceptional academic
reputation.
The One Health program
is the first of its kind for
undergraduate students and
focuses on interconnectedness
of human, animal and
environmental health.
There’s no wonder the Animal
Sciences student enrollment
has grown to 227 students
this year.
Berry’s always-giving-back
alums recently donated
the funds for repairing and
technically adjusting the
dynamic Foucault Pendulum.
This 60-foot 250-pound brass
ball pendulum is the focal point
of the McAllister Hall atrium.
Berry’s strategic use of its land
has a newly opened upscale
Spires active retirement
community along the banks
of Eagle Lake. Fairfield Inn,
the latest addition to Rome’s
hospitality community is under
construction adjacent to the
Rome Tennis Center at Berry
College, which also added six
indoor courts during 2020.
All athletics are returning to
Berry in the spring, with some
restrictions so that students
can compete and watch safely.
Parents and other fans may
watch via live streaming for
the immediate future.
Shorter University is
celebrating a recent gift
of $1 million for student
scholarships and $75,000 for
newly endowed and ongoing
scholarships.
The Chemistry Lab is being
renovated with $150,000
raised already – the fourth
science lab upgrade since
2015.
Rounding out 2021 plans is
new turf at Ben Brady Field,
home to the soccer and
lacrosse program and the
practice field for the Hawks
football team.
Georgia Highlands College has partnered with the Georgia Film Academy
to provide students with hands on experience in the film industry.
The Floyd County Prison hosted a special graduation ceremony for the
12 offenders who completed the Shield Metal Arc and Flux Core Welding
certification program in October
GNTC President Dr. Heidi Popham (left) hands Christopher Brookins
his certificate showing he is fully certified in Shield Metal Arc and
Flux Core Welding
24 OUTLOOK | MARCH 2021