A New Chapter for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences

The School of Nursing and Health Sciences has stepped into a new era at the College of Coastal Georgia. With the ribbon finally cut on the expansion of the Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Health and Sciences Building, now referred to as Nunnally Hall, it’s not only a new era for the program, but also a significant milestone in the institution’s history and its commitment to academic excellence. The ribbon was cut to the cheers of faculty, staff, students, community partners, donors, and friends of the institution.

In June 2025, the College broke ground for the expansion and a year later, students stepped into a transformed space for learning and study. The state-of-the-art facility features cutting-edge learning spaces, including an intensive care unit simulation area, a realistic nursing station, four large lab areas, larger classrooms, study rooms, a labor and delivery room with a dedicated infant care area, a medical-surgical room, and an operating room.

The radiologic science suite was also expanded and outfitted with the latest, industry-leading imaging technology to provide advanced diagnostic training. Radiology students will be learning in environments that closely reflect what they’ll encounter in their careers. During the ceremony, this new space was dedicated as The Carla and Ron Kalil Radiology Center in honor of the Kalils’ support for the program.

Dr. Valerie Hepburn, former president of the College who oversaw the institution’s transition from a two-year to a four-year college, shared the history of Nunnally Hall. In 2011, the building was dedicated as the Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Health and Sciences Building and was the first new academic building on campus at that time in almost five decades.

“It’s really appropriate that the first new academic building on this campus was devoted to nursing and health sciences as a means to start this amazing transformation. This college, as a junior college and then as a community college, has always had a fabulous nursing and health sciences program and we were able to build on that,” Hepburn said.

Miriam and Hugh Nunnally relocated to the area from Atlanta and wanted to do something meaningful for the community they grew to love. Their first philanthropic effort in the community was establishing the Miriam and Hugh Nunnally Maternity Care Center at Southeast Georgia Health System (SGHS). After Miriam passed away, her husband Hugh wanted to do something truly meaningful in her memory. In 2010, he had surgery at SGHS and was cared for by three nurses who graduated from the College. He was impressed by their level of care and attention. After discussions with friends and family about how to improve nursing education, he made a generous gift to the institution for the building. During the dedication ceremony, former University System of Georgia regent Jim Bishop described his friend Hugh as one of the greatest gifts the community ever had. Hepburn said that the Nunnallys’ gift continues to give back even today.

Southeast Georgia Health System Chief Human Resources Officer Rick Grooms was excited about what the expansion means for students and the community.

“When we cut this ribbon, what we’re really doing is opening the door to something much bigger. Something bigger than a new space,” Grooms said. “It’s an opportunity for students, for strong participation, for stronger knowledge, and preparation for our future caregivers—the folks who are going to take care of you, our families, our neighbors, and our community. This will help us better care for our region and the state and for anyone who comes here and needs care.”

Grooms went on to say that through the newly expanded spaces students will find confidence, discover their real purpose in life, and learn what it means to truly care for another human being.

“I believe it’s the compassion, the team spirit, and the caring heart that they’re going to get from this space, and from those who teach them and share their knowledge and experience,” Grooms said.

He also spoke about the important partnership between the College and SGHS, and how together they are helping students realize a meaningful career in the Golden Isles.

Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and Southeast Georgia Health System Distinguished Chair Dr. Lydia Watkins shared that for years there have been discussions about what health care education could look like if students and faculty had the space, technology, and resources they truly needed.

“We imagined better opportunities for learning, more room for growth, and facilities that matched the level of excellence we expect from our programs,” she said. “Today, we get to stand inside that vision and celebrate what we’ve built together. When you walk through this building, you’ll see new labs, classrooms, study areas, technology, and simulation spaces. You’ll be able to visualize the impact of the increased space from 15 skills lab beds to 40, and from one simulation room to a true simulated mini-hospital.”

As impressive as the spaces are, Watkins emphasized that what really matters is what happens inside the walls. Students will have more opportunities to practice hands-on skills before they enter a hospital, clinic, or healthcare facility. They will be able to learn, make mistakes, ask questions, and build confidence in a safe environment. The expansion also creates new opportunities for students to learn alongside one another. Nurses, radiologic technologists, physicians, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals routinely work together every day to care for patients. The facilities will allow students from different disciplines to train together and develop teamwork skills.

“Years from now, nobody is going to remember the paint colors or where every piece of equipment sits. What they’ll remember are the students whose lives were changed here,” Watkins said. “They’ll remember the nurses, radiologic technologists, and healthcare professionals who began their journeys in this building and went on to make a difference in their communities.”

College President Dr. Johnny Evans Jr. recognized the donors, their families, College trustees, community supporters, and legislative delegates who advocated for funding for the project. He especially thanked Hepburn for her leadership as president in overseeing many construction projects on campus, such as Mariner Village, the Campus Center, and the Correll Center for Teacher Education and Learning.

“This building bears a name that is synonymous with generosity and belief in our students: Miriam and Hugh Nunnally,” Evans said. “While Miriam and Hugh have since passed away, their spirit, legacy, and love for this community live on in every classroom and lab in this building. We’re so proud to introduce you to the Carla and Ron Kalil Radiology Center. Ron and Carla’s extraordinary support has truly transformed our radiologic science program.”

Open and Already in Use

After remarks and the ribbon cutting, guests were encouraged to tour the new expansion. Nursing faculty, nursing students, and radiology students performed mini simulations, demonstrating the capabilities of the different spaces and equipment.

Although new to guests and visitors, students have been enjoying the new renovations since classes started in August. Before the ribbon cutting, there was an interprofessional skills lab where nursing students and radiology students worked together to recognize medical emergencies and practice responding to them.

As guests departed and students returned to their classes, the significance of the expansion was already evident. More than a building project, Nunnally Hall represents an investment in the future of health care across Southeast Georgia. By providing students with advanced learning environments and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, the College is preparing the next generation of nurses, radiologic technologists, and other health care professionals to serve their communities with skill, compassion, and confidence. The expanded facility stands as a testament to the vision and generosity of its supporters and a promise of continued excellence for years to come.