FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Fort Valley State University has renamed and renovated its student center.
Alumni and siblings Alonzo and Alma Jones donated $1 million to the university which is said to be the largest donation ever by living alumni. Now, the building is called Alonzo and Alma Jones Student Center, and it serves as a central hub for these students.
Alonzo Jones graduated from Fort Valley in 1983 and Alma Jones in 1971. Now, both are medical doctors.
Now, officials at the university say their journey from students to successful doctors has inspired incoming, current and future students.
"They have a heart of service," Fort Valley's interim Vice President for Advancement Karen Wright said. "After talking to Alma Jones, she wanted there to be a place where students would grow, they would collaborate with each other and their professors, and would also be used by the community."
Lo and behold, their vision came true.
On Monday, the Jones family was there to unveil the newly named "Alonzo and Alma Student Center." It is a central hub for Fort Valley's Wildcats.
As an alumni giving back, Alonzo Jones emphasized the potential he sees in the students at Fort Valley State.
"What we're doing in Fort Valley is just trying to make sure that people that feel marginalized, that maybe feel unincluded, and maybe didn't get the best high school education will still have ambitions, dreams, and aspirations about doing something bigger, to get an opportunity," Jones said.
Overall, many students at Fort Valley feel inspired. Senior Anthony Thomas thinks the newly renovated and renamed building will have a large impact on the future of Fort Valley.
"It really brings a sense of reckoning to the student body to realize that something huge for us to happen in their lives and in the campuses life for this building to be named after them so it's a sense of gratitude and then its an inspiration," Thomas said.
The center has updated furniture and games for students to enjoy on their off days as well as conference rooms on the second floor for students to study with their fellow students.