"We will make the most of this new learning center," said Student Government Association President Alea Bennett during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "This new center gives the Newton Campus what we need to improve student success. It allows us to better work together, learn together and grow together."

The new center is the second classroom building on the Newton Campus. GPC opened the Newton Campus in 2007.
The new learning center is the home to an 8,800 square-foot library, a 144-seat lecture hall and a fitness center. Testing services, disability services, and learning and tutoring centers are also housed in the new building. The offices of Student Life and the Student Government Association are also now located in the new center.

A new joint program with Georgia State University also has administrative offices in the Student Learning Center. The partnership allows GPC students to earn a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education while completing all four years of college on the Newton Campus.

"This Student Learning Center is a wonderful facility that says a lot about what our Newton Campus has become in such a short time," said Georgia Perimeter College President Dr. Anthony S. Tricoli. "We've become a dynamic, growing and thriving place to learn. It was only two years ago on June 4 that the Newton Campus first opened its doors to 1,275 summer school students. Today we have more than 3,000 students taking courses here. As our student body continues its rapid growth, Georgia Perimeter must also continue to grow to provide the services and space that will allow our students to have the best educational experience of their lives. Our Student Learning Center is a bold step in that direction."

University System of Georgia Board of Regents Representative Felton Jenkins and Newton County Board of Commissioners Chairperson Kathryn Morgan also attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

"If you have not yet been inside this building then you are in for a treat," Felton said. "There's nowhere in the system that has a better building than this. This building is outfitted with every imaginable piece of information technology."

Morgan recalled the earliest days of planning a college in Newton County and praised GPC's growth.

"It had been a dream to bring Georgia Perimeter to Newton County," she said. "Everyone involved knew an institution like this could transform lives and have an impact on our local economy. What we hoped for was fulfilled and has exceeded our wildest imagination. Education is indeed the key to our future."

The Newton ribbon-cutting ceremony was the third of four such ceremonies planned this year at GPC. In June the Dunwoody Campus opened a renovated student center. In August, Clarkston Campus re-opened two renovated buildings, an international center and a student center. Ceremonies are planned in October for a newly constructed Student Success Center on the Decatur Campus.