Construction continues on Center for Leadership

Gil Pound, The Union-Recorder, Milledgeville, Ga.
·3 min read

Oct. 16—Construction efforts continue on the NewDay USA Center for Leadership at Georgia Military College.

The project was originally slated for completion by the end of this year, but GMC, in an effort to make the facility as cutting-edge as possible, has been making changes to the plans.

"The real delay up to now has been us," GMC President Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV said. "We've continually upgraded the interior from what was originally designed. What was looking more like a high school performing arts venue has now blossomed into what I would now call a state-of-the-art center that can host not just performing arts like Broadway-type shows, but also nationally-recognized speakers."

The 29,000-square foot building has already joined several of GMC's others in the Milledgeville skyline. The facility is currently tracking for a March 2023 finish. That would leave plenty of time to open the curtain in late April for GMC Prep's spring musical. This year the talented high school students will perform "Swing: The Musical" as their seasonal show.

"Mark Weaver (GMC Prep fine arts director) and his team did a wonderful job looking for something representative of America to open it up," Caldwell said.

In addition to hosting school fine arts performances, GMC will also use the Center for Leadership to engage with its college and prep school cadets through a leadership speaker series. Recognized individuals from the military, business, and political realms will be welcomed onto campus and share their insights and experiences with students. Former United States presidents have even been discussed as possible guest speakers.

"It will be nationally-renowned names that will be coming here, which we believe will draw an audience in from well outside of Milledgeville," said GMC Foundation Executive Director Mark Strom.

No speakers have been tabbed as of yet. GMC leaders say the first high-profile one will likely be in fall 2023.

The school also looks forward to hosting professional theatre shows inside the venue. GMC sees it as a possible economic driver for the community as it could bring theatre fans here to dine and lodge while visiting to enjoy a performance.

Prime contractor R.W. Allen and subcontractors are working on both the exterior and interior of the future 820-seat facility. Meanwhile, GMC is in the process of designing the landscaping.

"We want this facility to literally transform that block in terms of its beauty," added Caldwell.

The NewDay USA Center for Leadership is a partnership between the local military college/prep school and veterans affairs mortgage lender NewDay USA. Based in Fulton, Maryland, NewDay USA has had a relationship with GMC going back to 2016. Through NewDay's foundation, the mortgage lender has provided full scholarships to more than 30 GMC Prep students whose parents died or suffered a disability in military service to America. NewDay also gives scholarships to students whose parents have served and been impacted by the Global War on Terror. The VA mortgage company has pledged upwards of $10 million toward the Center for Leadership effort.