Students, faculty and staff in Fort Valley State University’s Engineering Technology Department now have a modern space to study and work.
Wildcat leaders, colleagues, students and special guests gathered for the recent ribbon cutting ceremony of the Cozy Ellison Agricultural Engineering Technology Building. Dr. Archie Williams, professor and chair of the Engineering Technology Department, said the new additions are going to be a game changer for students.
“Now they will come out of Fort Valley feeling like they belong and can compete anywhere,” he said, delighted by the finished product. “It will instill a new sense of pride in faculty, staff, students and alumni. This is something to build upon. From here, the sky is the limit.”
Sharing in Williams’ excitement was student Angelia Laulusa, an electronic engineering technology senior.
“We are eager to utilize the building and to leave a stamp on the world,” she said.
In addition, Dr. Paul Jones, president of FVSU, and Dr. T. Ramon Stuart, provost and vice president of academic affairs, thanked those who made this vision come to fruition through a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Capacity Building Grant. The planning process started in 2014, and renovation began in 2018. Jones said the renovated building is an outstanding addition to the campus, and students will be excited to work in a state-of-the-art facility.
Some of the new features include smartboards in all of the classrooms, and the facility is energy efficient. “It is a new beginning,” Williams said, praising May Architecture of Atlanta and ICB Construction Group of Macon for their work on the building.
The Agriculture Mechanics Building opened for occupancy in 1968. FVSU named the building in honor of the late Dr. Cozy L. Ellison, agriculture professor, in 1979. This building was among eight other entities that FVSU dedicated at a program held in the George N. Woodward Health and Physical Education Building in 1980.