Building Boosts Georgia State Momentum
ATLANTA — "We have the opportunity to be here to break ground on what is going to be an iconic building that is worthy of the work that is being done at the Georgia State University College of Law," said Mayor Kasim Reed in remarks at the law school's groundbreaking event Thursday.
"We really should not miss this moment," said Reed. "It is very special in the life of the city. The reason it's so special is because Georgia State University and the Georgia State University College of Law are absolutely and undeniably ascending."
President Mark Becker praised the college for its continued growth and declared the new building as a "vehicle for even greater achievements in the years ahead as the college continues their impressive trajectory marked by excellence in the classroom and more important, excellence in the real world."
David Ralson, Georgia's Speaker of the House of Representatives, saluted Georgia State Law's role in the growth of the state. "It is a state I believe that is poised on the threshold of an era of greatness that is unrivaled in the history of our state. This College of Law will play an integral role in this era of greatness."
In acknowledging the crowd of about 500, Kaminshine thanked state, city and university leaders for their support of the college and its new building.
"We stand here today ready to do more," Kaminshine said. "That is what this groundbreaking is about — the opportunity not only to have our first dedicated home and a physical identity, but to have a facility that is designed bottom up to deliver a legal education not only of today but of tomorrow."
The state legislature approved $58.8 million in bond funding for the new building. In June, the bonds sold, enabling the university to begin construction this fall. The target completion date is summer 2015, to open for fall classes. The new building will be the university's first dedicated facility for legal education. Since its founding, the College of Law has occupied parts of the Urban Life Building.
Eleven special guests commemorated the groundbreaking with gold shovels and Georgia State hard hats: Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson of the Supreme Court of Georgia, Mayor Kasim Reed, President Mark P. Becker, Dean Steven J. Kaminshine, donors and former dean Marjorie and Ralph Knowles, Board of Visitors Chair Linda DiSantis (J.D. '88); Board of Visitors member and donor Catherine C. Henson (J.D. '89); Law Alumni Council President Ramsey E. Knowles (J.D. '05); Student Bar Association President Michelli Rivera (J.D. '14); and Class of 2016 representative Harrison "Grey" Westfall (J.D. '16).
A reception was held after the program.
Learn more at building.law.gsu.edu.
Video: Groundbreaking Event
Video: Sneak Peek
Georgia State University College of Law
Georgia State University College of Law in downtown Atlanta has provided affordable and flexible legal education to full- and part-time students since 1982. The college enrolls nearly 700 students annually and offers three experiential learning clinics, including the Philip C. Cook Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, the Investor Advocacy Clinic and the Health Law Partnership (HeLP) Clinic, part of the nation's No. 3 health law program. Georgia State Law has been named a Best Value school by National Jurist magazine for five consecutive years.
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