Armstrong State University and the City of Hinesville hosted a ribbon cutting for the new Armstrong Liberty Center, located at 175 West Memorial Drive in Hinesville, Ga., yesterday.
 
“This is the culmination of dreams of the City of Hinesville, Liberty County, the University System of Georgia, the Board of Regents and Armstrong State University,” Armstrong President Linda M. Bleicken said, addressing an audience of more than 250 guests from around the state. “What a great day this is for all of us.”
 
The 21,000-square-foot facility, which will open to students in January, is more than double the size of the previous Liberty Center. The new building includes classrooms, state-of-the-art science laboratories, faculty and staff offices, common areas, student services and support areas for Liberty County’s growing student population. The facility offers special services for military affiliates and dual-enrollment options for local high school students.

“This project provides education to our soldiers, their spouses and our high school students in advanced placement classes,” said Hinesville Mayor James Thomas. “It is the heart of our community and adds strength to our city.”
 
The Armstrong Liberty Center offers associate degree tracks in liberal studies, criminal justice, business and a variety of health profession areas, as well as bachelor's degrees in liberal studies and criminal justice. Fees are waived for active-duty military.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank M. Huckaby estimated that roughly nine percent, or 900,000 people, in Georgia are military retirees or veterans. Fort Stewart, whose main gate is less than a mile from the new facility, is the largest U.S. Army installation east of the Mississippi River. In addition, about 18,200 veterans also live within a 50-mile vicinity of the base.
 
“This is an effort to do a better job of reaching out to our servicemen and women and their dependents,” said Huckaby, who celebrated Liberty Center’s impressive enrollment increases. “We’re excited about this facility because we know what it means to this community.”
 
University System of Georgia Regent Don Waters, an Armstrong graduate, agreed, emphasizing the importance of supporting student success.  
 
“We’re here to provide a path to success for students,” he told the audience in attendance. “The Board of Regents and the University System of Georgia support Armstrong. We are very, very proud to be a part of this development.”