NGE >> Education >> Colleges and Universities >> Public Higher Education >> Two-Year Colleges >> Darton College

Darton College

Darton College, established in April 1963 as Albany Junior College, is a two-year community college of the University System of Georgia. It has grown from an enrollment of 620 students in 1966, its first year of operation, to approximately 4,600 students in 2004.

The

Darton College

citizens of Albany provided $1.6 million to finance the purchase of the original 100-acre site and the construction of the school's first five buildings. In 1987 the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia dropped the word junior from all junior college names. The college was renamed Darton, an old English word meaning "town by the water." Its 180 acres, located in west Albany, are beautifully landscaped with native grasses and shrubs, as well as a productive pecan grove. Ten buildings house the various activities of the college.

More than 55,770 students had earned credit toward degrees as of spring 2005. Of these, 10,889 had been awarded associate's degrees and 637 had earned certificates. Among these graduates were 2,259 nurses, 540 dental hygienists, and 1,655 business administrators.

With

Albany Junior College

fifty-six two-year transfer degrees, twenty-three two-year career degree programs, and thirty-seven certificate programs, Darton College offers students a variety of options. Transfer students are well prepared for a four-year college or university, and their grade point averages typically increase at their transfer institutions. Career-program graduates who take licensing exams have among the highest pass-rates in the state and, in most cases, 100 percent employment upon graduation. Darton College offers courses at its main campus in Albany as well as at five satellite centers in Americus, Bainbridge, Colquitt, Cordele, and Thomasville.

Students find an array of support services at Darton College, including courses offered through the Learning Support Division. Students may also participate in the student success, minority advising, honors, and tutoring programs.

In addition to a wide and continually expanding range of online courses, Darton offers online degrees

Computer Design Lab

in business administration, criminal justice, economics, general studies, history, medical lab technology, political science, pre-law, psychology, social work, sociology, and teacher education.

Darton students have the opportunity to train for information technology careers through joint programs between the college and such companies as Cisco, Oracle, and Network Support Specialist. The division of Continuing Education and Economic Development works closely with business, industry, and government and community agencies to deliver training throughout southwest Georgia.

Allied Health Program

These programs include credit and noncredit offerings, depending on the company's specific needs and budget.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Darton became South Georgia's center for nursing and allied health education, providing thirteen allied health degree programs in cardiovascular technology, dental hygiene, diagnostic medical sonography, emergency medical services, health information technology, histology, human services technology, medical laboratory technology, nursing, occupational therapy assistance, physical therapist assistance, psychiatric technology, and respiratory care.

Students are encouraged to participate in campus activities, which include college clubs, theatrical

Physical Education Complex

productions, musical groups, intercollegiate athletics, and the Student Government Association. Darton's 470-seat state-of-the-art theater allows students to gain hands-on experience in every aspect of theater production and musical performance. Fine-arts students see their photographs, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and graphic artworks on display throughout campus. In 2005 Darton opened a $12 million physical education complex that houses an elevated walking track, a 25-yard by 25-meter pool with a diving well, a 3,000-seat convocation center and gymnasium, a fitness center, a recreation gym, and a dance studio.

Lisa Burton, Darton College

Home | What's New | Index | Quick Facts | About NGE | Help | Contact
Destinations | Galleries | Features

RSS Feeds

A project of the Georgia Humanities Council, in partnership with the University of Georgia Press, the University System of Georgia/GALILEO, and the Office of the Governor.

Copyright 2004-2009 by the Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.
All rights reserved.