The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation has donated $1 million to the Hall County School District for new laboratories at Lanier College and Career Academy.
The funds will reportedly be used to create “three new cutting-edge laboratories” on the LCCA campus, according to officials with the school district. Specifically, the labs will provide experiences for those students pursuing careers in design, media production, industrial electricity and automotive collision and repair.
A cyber security program is also planned for the future and will utilize the design and media lab.
The program will be known as the Ivester Early College Career Ready Program, with the new expansion available for dual-enrolled high school students through a partnership with Lanier Technical College.
“The Ivester Foundation is pleased to continue its investment in Howard E. Ivester Early College and Lanier College and Career Academy,” Lynn Darby, president of the foundation said. “The unique opportunities afforded the students of Hall County through these programs are tremendous. Investing in the young people of Hall County has been a major objective of the Foundation since its inception, and I know Doug’s father, Mr. Howard E. Ivester, would take great pride in this moment and in this investment.”
Hall County School District is reportedly looking forward to the positive impact the labs will have on the students and how it will benefit their future career paths.
"We are so grateful to The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation for its remarkable ongoing generosity,” Superintendent Will Schofield said. “This gift will enable us to prepare students for high-demand careers that are vital to our community and its economy. And that’s what’s so impressive about the Ivester family: they see the connection between education and building strong communities. Through their investment, they are directly contributing to the development of a skilled and innovative workforce."
