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Officials broke ground yesterday on a 72,280 square-foot Convocation Center at Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). Referred to by officials as the “new front door to campus,” the Convocation Center is part of a $48 million state-funded capital project that will include an infrastructure upgrade, including the creation of a central energy plant onsite.

GGC President Jann L. Joseph said the new building will reshape life on the college’s campus for students, faculty and staff, and the community for generations to come.

“The Georgia Gwinnett College Convocation Center will be more than a building,” she said. “It will be the focal point where memories are made, successes celebrated, dreams realized, and fitness and healthy lifestyles are cultivated on a daily basis.”

Joseph said the three-story, multipurpose facility will be used to host large events like orientations, commencement ceremonies, future athletic competitions, small concerts and community gatherings. The building features a main event space with a seating capacity of 3,100, a collegiate-sized basketball court with locker rooms, a presidential suite, and a student health, wellness and recreation space. Flexible use rooms in the center will support students through formal and informal learning and collaboration.

Lawrenceville Mayor David Still said the new facility is another example of how the college and the city can connect. The city recently completed a $30 million college corridor that unites GGC with downtown Lawrenceville.

“The Convocation Center will create an additional level of vitality for both the students and the citizens of Gwinnett to bring the community together with our college corridor, which is now named Grizzly Parkway,” he said. “The center will bring the community together in so many different ways."

Eighteen years ago, Dr. Sonny Perdue was present at the ceremony to witness what he called the “birthing” of Georgia Gwinnett College. Last year, on his first official day as University System of Georgia (USG) chancellor, Perdue was present as Dr. Jann L. Joseph was invested as the college’s president. He said it was fitting that he was on hand to turn the shovel at yesterday’s groundbreaking.

“A facility like this brings life to a campus experience for students. I’m happy to be here," he said. “I’m going to be back when we cut the ribbon.”

The Convocation Center is expected to open in fall 2024.

View and download Convocation Center groundbreaking ceremony photos.

View and download Convocation Center groundbreaking ceremony photos b-roll.