As Piedmont College transforms into Piedmont University this week, many have asked the same question. What’s the difference between a college and a university?
A college is traditionally smaller, while becoming a university is a sign of growth and expansion, and that is the direction Piedmont is headed.
Piedmont has experienced record enrollment as it comes out of the chrysalis of the pandemic and becomes a university ready to add new programs and take on research projects that will lead us into the future.
U.S. News recently rated Piedmont among the top 50 Regional Universities in the South, sporting our main campus here in Demorest and another in Athens that recently moved to a new building. Founded in 1897, Piedmont enrolls nearly 2,600 students, with around 500 enrolled at the Athens campus.
In March, the school broke ground on Mystic Hall, Piedmont’s largest residential complex. When completed, it will house 268 students. Piedmont also recently completed a $2.5 million renovation to the home of its College of Education – the Charles and Catherine Sewell Center for Teacher Education.
There could be more expansion in the future, as the school has purchased 80 acres in Demorest and has plans to develop it.
More alumni than ever before made a gift to Piedmont last fiscal year, which is always a good sign when a school gets that kind of support from those who have walked its halls.
Piedmont University has an economic impact of approximately $89 million for Habersham County and the surrounding area, and having a top-flight university in the county is an advantage not easily replicated or duplicated.
In conjunction with becoming a university, Piedmont has also unveiled a new brand statement – The Piedmont Promise. The Piedmont Promise is to provide an educational experience that is “Personal in approach, Passionate in application, and Practical in impact.”
As the school prepares for its 125th anniversary during the next academic year, the future looks incredibly bright for the school. Habersham County is fortunate to have such a fine academic institution as part of its infrastructure.