Albany State University to Name Building Honoring Former President, New Construction, and Facility Upgrades
Albany State University (ASU) will see new growth on campus in the near future. In
addition to the $11.9M Nursing and Health Sciences Simulation Center and the ongoing
renovations, the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents (BOR) has approved
two new building projects, including a major renovation and the naming of a building
to honor former ASU president, Dr. Portia Holmes-Shields. 
“Thank you to the University System of Georgia (USG) for approving new construction on campus as Albany State University sees its fourth year of increased enrollment. The university is committed to the growth and sustainability of the campus, Albany, and the surrounding areas. This growth will assist ASU as it continues to be the educational hub of Southwest Georgia,” said President Dr. Lawrence Drake.
The first new project approved is the construction of an Early Childhood Center. The facility will provide safe and affordable childcare for the campus and community. This will also have a significant impact on academics. Education majors will complete student-teaching activities in the on-campus environment, physical therapist assistant and occupational therapy assistant students will interact with the pediatric population in a real-world environment, and health and human performance students will provide education in coronavirus prevention related to co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. The center will be named in honor of the 7th and first female ASU President, Dr. Portia Holmes-Shields.
The second approved project is constructing a $8.8 million, 30,682 gross square feet student residential facility with 64 beds for junior and senior students in the honors program. The facility aims to foster school spirit, increase retention, progression, and graduation rates, maintain safety and accessibility for students, and prioritize the longevity and durability of the building. The proposed site location is on the East Campus near Residence Hall 6. The university aims to have construction completed by Fall 2025.
Additionally, the Billy C. Black building will undergo a significant renovation that aims to be completed in fall 2025. The renovation seeks to promote flexibility to allow programs to grow over time and make it easier to absorb changes in the future, to become a learning-oriented hub where students can collaborate and study together between classes, and to encourage student interaction with faculty. The Billy C. Black Auditorium will be named in honor of ASU alumna Gladys McCollough, who authored ASU’s alma mater.
In addition, ASU has worked diligently to support energy conservation and recycling efforts on campus, as well as the other ongoing renovations on campus. The Billy C. Black Building had a roof section replacement, the C.D. McKnight (F) Building is in the design phase of a building renovation, and the Sanford Gymnasium has been upgraded to support sports, physical fitness, and yoga classes. The C.W. Grant Student Union was also upgraded with new flooring and furniture, and both the student union and the West Campus Student Center have been outfitted with arcade games for students to enjoy.
The Hampton Smith Athletic Fields also received upgrades such as the full Robert Cross Track & Field renovation with a steeplechase addition, a softball field renovation, and the resurfacing and goals installation of the basketball court. The university will also undergo $1.8M renovations to the ASU Coliseum with a drainage upgrade and the replacement of sod with turf and shock padding for additional protection.
Additionally, the demolition of Wiley, Gibson, and Simmons Halls and the former ROTC building is scheduled for this summer. They have been uninhabited due to disrepair for an extended period.
The University completed construction and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the 16,338-square-foot, $800,000 Nursing and Health Sciences Simulation Center earlier this month.