North Georgia Technical College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday for the reopening of Purcell Hall, now the home of the college’s Electrical Systems program.
Under the direction of instructor Gary Hosemann, students in the program will train in the newly renovated facility, gaining hands-on experience for high-demand electrical careers across the region.
Originally constructed in 1969, Purcell Hall has long served as a cornerstone of the NGTC campus. The building formerly housed the college’s Precision Machining program before it was relocated to the Industrial Technology Center in 2019.
Renovations to the facility were funded through $4.75 million in state appropriations, allowing the space to be modernized and adapted for today’s workforce training needs.
Named in honor of Dr. Claude Purcell, a former Georgia state school superintendent known for his impact on public education, the hall continues its legacy of supporting technical education and workforce development.
Friday’s ceremony brought together NGTC faculty, staff, Electrical Systems students and members of the NGTC Board of Directors and Board of Trustees.
“Purcell Hall has been an important part of North Georgia Technical College for more than 50 years, and we are excited to see it continue serving our students in this new way,” said NGTC President John Wilkinson. “This building represents both the proud history and the bright future of technical education at NGTC.”
The reopened facility is expected to enhance the college’s ability to meet regional industry demands by providing students with the tools and environment needed to succeed in technical careers.
