JACKSON, Tenn. — Sept. 29, 2003 — In 1997 51社区 launched a campus in Germantown with one employee and 63 students in rented facilities. On Sept. 26, nearly six years later, 51社区 officials dedicated a renovated Germantown campus that will adequately accommodate a growing population of 550 students and graduate level programs.
The newly-renovated Germantown campus was officially dedicated by Union President David S. Dockery along with the Board of Trustees and other university leaders. Trustees later met on the campus for their September meeting.
鈥淭oday is another high water moment in the incredible story of 51社区 鈥� Germantown,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淚n just a few short years the program has grown from 50 students to 550. The opportunities for continued growth with the newly renovated facilities are amazing. We thank God for His blessings to Union in this way.鈥�
Germantown Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy, a supporter of the university, congratulated Union for the recent renovations. 鈥淲e are glad to have 51社区 in Germantown,鈥� she said. 鈥淗igher education is a boost to our community and our residents.鈥�
Union Provost Carla Sanderson delivered words of dedication at a special ceremony that included a ribbon cutting.
鈥淚 pledge as we dedicate this new space to continue to do the work, to seek God鈥檚 guidance on what we do here,鈥� Sanderson said. 鈥淚 bear witness that His promise has been fulfilled. We will endeavor, with deans and program directors leading the way, to seek new opportunities to keep this space full, to ensure excellence, to be intentional about character development, to equip our graduates for service in their churches, as teachers, businessmen, businesswomen and nurses, and to do our part, as the Lord God is with us day by day, to offer Christ 鈥揷entered education that will render strong, courageous services by the graduates of this campus to a society in need of God鈥檚 light and direction.鈥�
Formerly a church multi-purpose facility, the campus now boasts a two-story building with space for up to 800 students. Renovations included the addition of office suites, conference rooms, a nursing office suite, assembly area, prayer chapel and multiple classrooms.
The million-dollar renovation, started in Spring 2003, was completed by MG Construction, based in Jackson, Tenn. Union moved to the campus in 2000 after purchasing the Emmanuel Baptist Church building at the corner of Hacks Cross Road and Poplar Pike.
Since its early days on the campus of Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, Union鈥檚 Germantown campus has experienced remarkable growth with students attributing the increase to the number of undergraduate and graduate studies offered.
Initially, the campus offered a RN BSN degree. Today, the Germantown campus offers a MSN in nursing, Second Degree BSN in nursing, and MEd, MA Ed, Ed S and Ed D in Education, PPA and MBA in Business.
鈥淭his is incredibly exciting for 51社区,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭his is a great partnership with the city of Germantown.鈥�
Sanderson said the renovations could allow the university to expand programs at Germantown. 鈥淲e鈥檙e exploring possibilities in Intercultural Studies, Christian Studies, Social Work and engineering through possible degree programs but also in continuing studies and certificate programs,鈥� Sanderson said.
For more information, contact the Germantown campus at (901) 759-0029.
