Growth and change for PC in Athens
by Jesse Thompson
Issue date: 9/19/05 Section: PC Athens
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A decade ago when Athens' residents thought of Piedmont College, they may have thought of a picturesque liberal arts college quietly nestled in the hills of north Georgia. Today they are more likely to think of a busy, growing satellite campus of a strong liberal arts institution situated in the heart of a city. Located on Milledge Avenue, Piedmont College's Athens campus is home to nearly 500 students in undergraduate degree programs, which include business, criminal justice, education, sociology and psychology, as well as graduate programs in business and education.
Dr. LaVerne Hill, newly appointed Associate Dean in charge of the Athens campus, remembers discussing the satellite campus during her initial interview with the college ten years ago. By the time her contract with Piedmont began, the Athens program was up and running at its first location on Prince Avenue with degree programs in education, sociology and business.
Over the years, the education program has expanded to encompass preparation for early childhood, middle and secondary students, master's degree programs, special education and education specialist programs. The largest of the Athens programs, education classes have helped hundreds of potential teachers prepare for the classroom, an accomplishment particularly important to Hill, an Athens resident, whose two children have been taught by several Piedmont graduates.
The business and social science programs have also grown; Business has added a very successful Master of Business Administration program and social science has included popular majors in criminal justice and psychology.
There have been many changes over the years regarding staff, faculty, and building locations. Currently, faculty occupies a separate office building at the corner of Pulaski and Hancock.
Like its home campus, Piedmont at Athens has not lost its personal touch, despite its changes.
Piedmont at Athens administrator Margy Moremen notes, "the class size and hands-on environment are two of our major strengths when it comes to attracting our students." This attitude has proved to be an important ingredient in Piedmont's success in Athens along with the support and cooperation of the University of Georgia and the community at large. The continuing successful enrollment for Piedmont in Athens gives testimony to this fact. After a decade of quiet success in Athens, Piedmont College has certainly cleared a spot for a bit of green and gold in a landscape of red and black.
Dr. LaVerne Hill, newly appointed Associate Dean in charge of the Athens campus, remembers discussing the satellite campus during her initial interview with the college ten years ago. By the time her contract with Piedmont began, the Athens program was up and running at its first location on Prince Avenue with degree programs in education, sociology and business.
Over the years, the education program has expanded to encompass preparation for early childhood, middle and secondary students, master's degree programs, special education and education specialist programs. The largest of the Athens programs, education classes have helped hundreds of potential teachers prepare for the classroom, an accomplishment particularly important to Hill, an Athens resident, whose two children have been taught by several Piedmont graduates.
The business and social science programs have also grown; Business has added a very successful Master of Business Administration program and social science has included popular majors in criminal justice and psychology.
There have been many changes over the years regarding staff, faculty, and building locations. Currently, faculty occupies a separate office building at the corner of Pulaski and Hancock.
Like its home campus, Piedmont at Athens has not lost its personal touch, despite its changes.
Piedmont at Athens administrator Margy Moremen notes, "the class size and hands-on environment are two of our major strengths when it comes to attracting our students." This attitude has proved to be an important ingredient in Piedmont's success in Athens along with the support and cooperation of the University of Georgia and the community at large. The continuing successful enrollment for Piedmont in Athens gives testimony to this fact. After a decade of quiet success in Athens, Piedmont College has certainly cleared a spot for a bit of green and gold in a landscape of red and black.