Augusta State University saw major changes in 2003 as it juggled record enrollment with the construction necessary to handle its growing needs.
The college recorded 6,143 students in the fall semester, breaking the previous record of 5,909 set in the fall of 2002, when the campus opened Allgood Hall. The 123,000-square-foot building houses the College of Business Administration and most of the Katherine Reese Pamplin College of Arts and Sciences.
Still under construction is University Hall, another classroom building set to open in fall 2004. Future construction also calls for a new student activity center.
During his State of the University address in August, President William Bloodworth Jr. predicted enrollment increases during the next decade. In the past two years, ASU has seen enrollment jump 16 percent.
"We're also working on a new master plan so that we can develop this campus to its maximum capacity," Dr. Bloodworth said. "That capacity, by the way, is going to be somewhere around 8,000 students not too far into the future."
The university has suffered from persistent parking problems, but leaders have promised more lots once construction is complete. In November, the last road through the university was shut down as ASU converts into a pedestrian campus with parking on the perimeter.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Augusta State University, 2500 Walton Way, a public institution of the University of Georgia system. It offers more than 50 programs leading to associate, bachelor's, master's and specialist degrees, a paralegal certificate and a cooperative doctoral degree; 737-1400; www.aug.edu.
Augusta Technical College, 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, public, post-secondary institution of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education. The school serves technical education needs and supports economic development of the Central Savannah River Area; 771-4000, www.augusta.tec.ga.us.
Paine College, 1235 15th St., Augusta, a private, church-affiliated, four-year co-educational college. It was founded in 1882 as a joint effort by the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America (now Christian Methodist Episcopal) and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (now United Methodist); 821-8200. The liberal arts curriculum offers 13 majors leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of sciences degree.
Troy State University, 2753 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 201. The Augusta campus offers graduate degrees in several areas including education, health care and business administration; (706) 210-3800; www.tsuaugusta.com.
University of South Carolina Aiken, 471 University Parkway, a four-year college that offers undergraduate and master's degrees. It features about 40 programs of study in undergraduate degrees and master's degrees; (803) 641-3366; www.usca.edu
Aiken Technical College, U.S. Highway 1, offers associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in computer technology, industrial and engineering technology, health, public service and business; 593-9231; www.aik.tec.sc.us
Kerr Business College, 2528 Centerwest Parkway, Augusta, offers certificates and diplomas in a variety of accounting, business, computer, medical, and office support programs. Kerr Business College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; (706) 738-5046.
Piedmont Technical College, 506 Main St., Edgefield, S.C., and 540 Wilson Road, Newberry, S.C., offers associate degrees, certificates and diplomas in business and information technology, arts and sciences, public service and engineering technology. Edgefield campus (803) 637-5388; Newberry campus (803) 276-9000; www.ptc.edu.
