North Georgia Technical College recently honored the life and legacy of the college’s late president, Dr. Mark Ivester, with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning and the Cy Grant Gymnasium.
Dr. Ivester served the college for more than 20 years in various leadership capacities and worked tirelessly to ensure that every student had the necessary resources to succeed at NGTC. The Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning, or The Mark, is intended to memorialize his legacy by providing a community wellness and learning center to further support the needs of NGTC students.
“Dr. Ivester was the epitome of a servant leader and a friend to anyone who knew him,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “I am proud that we carry on his legacy and love of the NGTC community through the Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning. This facility will provide our students with valuable resources and will continue to impact lives for generations to come.”
The new 250,000 sq. foot facility will be constructed on the site of the current gymnasium and will include a new, regulation-size basketball court that will be named in honor of Cy Grant to keep with the college’s historical traditions.
“Dr. Ivester had a passion for improving the lives of students and empowering them to succeed,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Marketing and Executive Director of the NGTC Foundation Amy Hulsey. “On behalf of the NGTC Foundation, we are honored to play a small role in continuing his legacy to improve students’ lives through the Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning.”
“Mark and I started talking about renovating the gymnasium over 20 years ago,” said NGTC Campus Life Director Sherry Seal. “He would be so proud and happy that we are moving forward with this project. What a great way to honor a man who truly left his mark on this college.”
The college is accepting donations for the building project. Donations should be designated for the Dr. Mark A. Ivester Center for Living and Learning and may be given online at northgatech.edu/foundation or by check. Checks should be made payable to the NGTC Foundation and mailed to NGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 65, Clarkesville, GA 30523. Donations are tax deductible.
