Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation opens
Article By: Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia (91ÁÔÆæ) officially opened the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 16. The Cottrell Center, a $35 million, state-of-the-art 86,483-square foot building, is the new home for the Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB).
Among the speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony were 91ÁÔÆæ President Bonita Jacobs, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and state Sen. Steve Gooch. Lynn and Mike Cottrell joined the platform party and other dignitaries in cutting the ribbon.
"This facility and its advanced resources will provide our students with first-class educational opportunities to gain knowledge and skills in real-world situations," Jacobs said. "We are very grateful to our supporters and to our state leaders for providing the resources and this facility to enhance our students’ educational experience and their development as globally competitive business and technology leaders."
This facility not only provides beautiful, spacious areas, but the functionality of this building will continue to make the University of North Georgia among the best not only in the state of Georgia, but in the United States.
Sonny Perdue
University System of Georgia Chancellor
Many of the spaces in the building are supported and named by regional businesses or individuals affiliated with the college and 91ÁÔÆæ. These spaces will support student and faculty professional development activities over the coming years.
"I am excited to be celebrating this wonderful event and how this facility will transform the delivery of academic programs within the Mike Cottrell College of Business," Gooch, a 91ÁÔÆæ alumnus, said. "This building is critically important in supporting the high-quality education that 91ÁÔÆæ provides its students enrolled in its business and cybersecurity programs, and I am proud to have supported state funding for this project."
Faculty, staff and students moved into the new building just in time for the fall semester to begin in August. They are already seeing the transformation this space provides for the college's business and technology programs.
"The technology available for application to 91ÁÔÆæ through these academic programs will help meet the demands of employers who are experiencing rapid innovation in their industries," state Rep. Will Wade said. "As a MCCB graduate, I am pleased to see this facility development support its fast-growing and high demand academic offerings."
The Syfan Logistics Lab, JT Stratford Finance & Analytics Lab, and Cyber Range are among the industry-focused spaces that mirror what students will experience in their internships and careers.
"This facility not only provides beautiful, spacious areas, but the functionality of this building will continue to make the University of North Georgia among the best not only in the state of Georgia, but in the United States," Perdue said.
Students, faculty, staff and industry advisory board members provided significant input for the center’s specialized labs, classrooms and collaborative spaces.
"We knew we would have a better outcome by including input from faculty, staff and students in the discussion of what was needed in the building. That process is why we have a building that is student-focused and learner-centric," Dr. Mary Gowan, the MCCB dean