March 25, 2010
Contact:
Jeremy Craig, 404-413-1357
University Relations
ATLANTA - Georgia State University will celebrate the dedication of its state-of-the-art 350,000 square-foot Parker H. Petit Science Center at 10 a.m., Monday, March 29 at the intersection of Decatur Street and Piedmont Avenue.
The facility will house laboratories, offices and classrooms, and will be home to university research and education programs in biology, chemistry, nursing, nutrition, physical and respiratory therapies, public health, as well as the Neuroscience Institute.
"Pete has been a loyal friend to Georgia State University for many years," said President Mark Becker. "He is a champion of higher education. We are deeply grateful for his support, which will build upon our mission of creating a premier urban research university."
"We could not be more pleased to see the Petit Science Center come to fruition," said Robin Morris, vice president of research. "With the new building, we will totally transform not just a part of campus, but the profile of research and education at Georgia State."
The building is named for Parker H. "Pete" Petit in recognition of his leadership gift to Georgia State University. Petit received his master of business administration degree from Georgia State in 1973 in order to build his business acumen and today serves as chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx Group, Inc., an integrated developer, manufacturer and marketer of biomaterial-based products.
"I feel very grateful about what was made available to me, and I also feel strongly about giving back," Petit said. "I hope that the facility is going to fill a very key role in Georgia State's future."
The new facility includes vastly improved research and office space on the fifth through ninth floors, including critical core facilities needed for exploration. Officials hope that the new science center will help attract new researchers to Georgia State, and the new building will open up more space on campus for current researchers.
The 10-story building will include six general classrooms and 32 department-specific teaching labs and classrooms, including a more than 100-seat auditorium on the first floor. More than 2,000 students are expected to pass through the building during class changes on a daily basis.