Georgia State University: A History of Urban Development and Transformation

Georgia State University (GSU), a public research university located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, has undergone a remarkable transformation since its inception. From its humble beginnings as an evening school of commerce to its current status as a comprehensive urban institution, GSU's history is inextricably linked to the growth and evolution of Atlanta itself. This article delves into the history of Georgia State University, exploring its origins, its physical development, and its impact on the urban landscape of Atlanta.

From Evening School to Independent College

The story of Georgia State University began in 1913 when it was established as the "Evening School of Commerce" at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Classes were held in rented spaces in downtown Atlanta, and the school moved several times to accommodate increasing enrollment. Wayne S. Kell, a distinguished member of the Georgia Tech staff, served as the director of the School during this early period. The institution continued to grow under the direction of two additional directors affiliated with Georgia Tech: John M. Watters (1918-1925) and Fred B. Wenn (1925).

In 1928, Dr. George M. Sparks became director, leading the institution through the challenges of the Great Depression. The economic hardships of the 1930s led to GSU's first period of independence. With the reorganization of state government and the creation of the Board of Regents to govern the University System of Georgia, the Regents decided that the Georgia Tech Evening School of Commerce should become an independent college within the new system.

Independence and Expansion

Independent throughout the Depression and World War II, the Tech School of Commerce was incorporated by the Board of Regents into the program of the University of Georgia in 1947. By 1955, the Board of Regents recognized that the Atlanta Division was developing its own unique identity. This recognition led to a new name to reflect the expansion of the institution's academic program.

Shortly after Noah Langdale, Jr., became the second president in 1957 (succeeding Dr. Sparks upon his retirement), the university began to offer bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees in addition to the undergraduate business degree. The master of business administration degree marked the beginning of the advanced degree program. As advanced degree programs increased, new colleges were added, including the Colleges of Education, Urban Life, Allied Health Sciences, and General Studies, joining the original two colleges: the College of Business Administration and the College of Arts and Sciences.

Leadership Transitions and Continued Growth

Dr. Langdale assumed special responsibilities for the Chancellor on July 1, 1987, and Dr. William M. Suttles was appointed acting president. Later, the Board of Regents recognized Dr. Suttles' contributions to Georgia State University by naming him the university's third president. Dr. John Michael Palms became the University's fourth president on July 1, 1989. Following Dr. Palms' departure, Dr. Sherman Day was appointed Acting President on March 15, 1991. Since that time, Dr. Carl V.

The development of a broad concept of a modern urban institution, built upon a sound base of gifted faculty and basic programs, dedicated to bringing the rewards of learning to the community at large through formal and informal programs, and utilizing all communications media, gives Georgia State University a challenge and a spirit of pioneering as the administration, the faculty and the student body carve out its destiny.

Urban Life Building: A Reflection of Atlanta's Transformation

Georgia State University's growth has been closely tied to the urban development of Atlanta. As the city transformed into a major communication and transportation hub, an international city, and a financial center, the university adapted and expanded to meet the evolving needs of the community. The history of Sparks Hall, for example, provides a microcosm of this transformation.

Sparks Hall: From Residences to Classrooms

Located at 33 Gilmer Street, Sparks Hall has served as a classroom space for 70 years. In the late 19th century, the lot that now holds Sparks Hall was residential, with dwellings on the corner of Gilmer and Courtland. By the 1931 Sanborn Map, the landscape had begun to shift, with many of the earlier residences replaced by auto-related uses such as parking lots and garages.

By the mid-20th century, the character of the Gilmer Street lots had shifted again-this time toward institutional use. As Georgia State College (then the College of Business Administration) began expanding its presence downtown, the land that once held homes and then parking was absorbed into a growing campus footprint. The university needed more classroom space, and by the early 1950s, plans were underway for a new building that would become Sparks Hall.

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In 1960, the University named the new building Sparks Hall to honor Dr. George Sparks, who had been president of the university for 29 years. A photo from the 1964 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Photographic Archives shows students gathered outside Sparks Hall during its early years, suggesting the building quickly became a hub of student life. Alongside classroom use, Sparks Hall and the surrounding area were sites of student protests and sit-ins during the civil rights era, marking it as a physical and political space in the university’s history.

The construction of Sparks Hall in the early 1960s came at a pivotal moment in Georgia State’s history. Located on the lots at 29-35 Gilmer Street, Sparks Hall was built to accommodate this growth. It was one of the earliest major construction projects in what would become a long-term effort to transform downtown Atlanta into a cohesive university campus. Nearby, developments were in progress to add more campus spaces to the area, including the Plaza, or as it is called now, the Campus Greenway. The plaza sits between the library to the left and Sparks Hall on the right.

Today, Sparks Hall continues to serve as one of Georgia State University’s central classroom buildings. However, Sparks Hall’s future is uncertain. As part of the university’s campus greenway redevelopment project, Sparks Hall has been identified for demolition to create a pedestrian plaza that links Hurt Park to the Campus Greenway, providing more of a traditional college campus quad area for students to use.

Mile Marker Zero: Atlanta's Transportation Hub

Atlanta was formerly known as 'Terminus' due to being at the end of the Western & Atlantic rail line. Mile Marker Zero has been at this location since 1842, after being moved slightly.

Centennial Olympic Park: A Legacy of the 1996 Olympics

The Olympic Rings situated at the front of Centennial Olympic Park are a fairly recent addition to the city of Atlanta, but are already iconic. The Rings were installed in 2019 in an effort to further commemorate the 1996 Olympics, which of course took place in Atlanta. The land that Centennial now sits on was previously rundown lots, but were transformed to serve as a social hub for the Games. Now the Park connects several major tourist spots in the city, such as the Aquarium, Coca-Cola Factory, College Football Hall of Fame, and more.

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Underground Atlanta: A Mural of Hopelessness

During my sophomore year, I saw a mural on the side of the Connally Hotel building that caught my attention. There is a painting of a man on his knees begging with his hands together. In the middle of his chest, you see a straw draining him until he is empty. The color inside the man is black. This mural was painted by Murcia, known as Sam3 a Spanish artist. This mural is 16 stories expressing hopelessness and a full heart. The mural was made during the Living Walls Conference in 2011. The building that the mural is on was built in 1916 and designed by William Lee Stoddart. It was originally five stories before adding eleven more during renovation in the 1980s. The orginial five story design of terracotta façade was kept.

The Empire Building (J. Mack Robinson College of Business): Exquisite High-Reliefs

The Empire Building, or the J. Mack Robinson College of Business as we would know it, is located at 35 Broad Street and truly has some exquisite high-reliefs. There are various colors, designs, arches, scallops, and edges engraved uniquely on each side. My favorite parts are the waves and seashells above the first set of windows on the ground floor of the side facing the university’s Commons Building. The “Empire Building” was its original name and it changed frequently based on the occupant, like the Citizens & Southern National Bank or Atlanta Trust Company Building. Today, you can hear it be referred to as the J. Mack Robinson College of Business. It also houses the Bank of America Financial Center on the opposite side.

The Flatiron Building: Resilience and Adaptability

The Flatiron Building in Atlanta is one of the city’s most fascinating and underrated landmarks. Its distinctive triangular shape and beautiful Neo-Classical design make it stand out in downtown Atlanta, smushed among modern high-rises. Despite being over a century old, the building has continued to evolve, serving as home to businesses, entrepreneurs, and even a Microsoft Innovation Center in recent years. The Roman numerals on the side of the Flatiron Building in Atlanta mark the year it was completed: MDCCCXCVII (1897).

The Hurt Building: A Legacy of Joel Hurt

Designed with the New York City Flatiron Building in mind, the grandeur of the Hurt Building is no accident. Its 18 magnificent floors are clad in a creamy glazed brick, verdant ornamental terracotta, and Georgia Mezzotint Marble. Projecting the name of its owner, the Hurt Building represented the height of Joel Hurt’s legacy in Atlanta. Completed in 1926, The Hurt Building served as the official crown atop Hurt’s modest empire. Beginning construction in 1913, the Hurt Building was completed in three stages. Upon completion of the first stage, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta would move in as the buildings first tenant. Upon completion of it’s own building in 1918, the Atlanta Fed would vacate the Hurt Building for Marietta Street - where it would stay until 1964. In 2013, the Hurt Building was acquired by Gamma Real Estate for $33.5 million. Presently, the building serves as a home for the Atlanta Institute of Architects, a Grady Healthcare system satellite office, online educator Herzing University, and the Georgia Innocence Project to name a few.

The Standard Building: A Historic Gem

The Standard Building is one of the oldest buildings on campus. It is nested on the same block as Rialto Center for the Arts and its cousin the Haas Howell Building along with other private businesses and residences. All 3 of the GSU owned properties are registered historic buildings due to their age and history and were purchased by GSU in the 1990s.

The Controversy Surrounding 148 Edgewood

Preservationists, civil rights leaders, business organizations, civic leaders, GSU alumni and Downtown advocates have all been urging Georgia State to reconsider its flawed decision to demolish 148 Edgewood. The architecturally attractive structure was built in 1926 as a Georgia Power substation. Since 1989, it has been a contributing structure to the City of Atlanta’s Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District, and in 1992, it was included in the national Martin Luther King Jr.

Expansion and Facilities

Over its 100-plus-year history, Georgia State's growth has required the acquisition and construction of more space to suit its needs. Georgia State continued this growth into the 1990s, with the expansion of Alumni Hall in 1991, the opening of the Natural Science Center in 1992, and the acquisition of the former C&S Bank Building on Marietta Street in 1993, which is now the home of the Robinson College of Business.

Georgia State's first move into the Fairlie-Poplar district was the acquisition and renovation of the Standard Building, the Haas-Howell Building, and the Rialto Theater in 1996. The Standard and Haas-Howell buildings house classrooms, offices, and practice spaces for the School of Music, and the Rialto is home to Georgia State's Jazz Studies program and an 833-seat theater. In 1998, the Student Center was expanded toward Gilmer Street and provided a new 400-seat auditorium and space for exhibitions and offices for student clubs. A new Student Recreation Center opened on the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Gilmer Street in 2001.

After the release of the 2006 master plan update, a host of new building activities occurred on campus. A $20 million refurbishment to the Pullen Library complex was completed during the 2006-07 school year. Multiple new units of on-campus housing were built, including the 2,000 bed University Commons in 2007, a new dormitory named Freshman Hall (later renamed Patton Hall) in 2009 and a conversion of a former Wyndham Garden Hotel and a Baymont Inn & Suites into a new 1,100 occupancy dormitory named Piedmont North. New Greek housing was built in 2010 along Edgewood Avenue. The Citizens Trust Building on Piedmont Avenue was purchased by the university to make room for offices and student services in 2007. The Parker H. Petit Science Center was completed in 2010, opening up state-of-the-art science laboratories and teaching space. In 2013, Georgia State started operating from the original home of the Trust Company of Georgia and the SunTrust Bank, the 25 Park Place Building, a 26-floor skyscraper located adjacent to Woodruff Park in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

In November 2024, Georgia State University secured $107 million to initiate significant upgrades to its downtown campus as part of a transformative plan featuring nine projects aimed at revitalizing and reimagining the campus experience. The effort was bolstered by an $80 million donation from the Robert W.

Key Buildings and Facilities

25 Park Place: A mixed-use classroom and office building that houses several departments at Georgia State University.
Sparks Hall: The first building designed and built specifically for the school.
University Commons: A US$165 million complex housing 1,992 students.
Perimeter College Campuses: Five different campuses around the Metro Atlanta region (Alpharetta, Clarkston, Decatur, Dunwoody, and Newton County).

Academics and Research

Georgia State is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research spending and doctorate production". The university is the most comprehensive public institution in Georgia, offering more than 250-degree programs in over 100 fields of study spread across 10 academic colleges and schools.

Libraries

Georgia State houses three university libraries:

The University Library (formerly known as the William Russell Pullen Library), housed in Library North and Library South, contains more than 1.4 million volumes, including 8,000 active serials and nearly 22,000 media materials.
Law Library, which is located on the main campus.
Additionally, many academic departments provide libraries for their students.

Research

On August 31, 2006, Georgia State announced that it would be participating in a supercomputing grid with the installation of an IBM P575 Supercomputer in its Network Operations Center. Through an initiative known as SURAGrid, eventually, 24 universities in 15 states throughout the Southeast United States will form the research backbone and at its peak, the network will be able to perform over 10 trillion calculations per second.

Areas of research range from atomic physics, biophysics, condensed matter physics, neurophysics, nuclear physics, and physics education and innovative instruction. Biological research at Georgia State is divided into four categories; applied and environmental microbiology (AEM), cellular molecular biology and physiology (CMBP), molecular genetics and biochemistry, and neurobiology and behavior. Georgia State is currently the only university in the United States operating a BSL-4 lab (the highest bio-safety level) at level 4 conditions.

Student Life and Culture

Georgia State University makes notable contributions to the cultural vitality of the downtown Atlanta community.

Arts and Culture

A prominent cultural stage is the Rialto Center for the Arts, an 833-seat performing arts venue located in the heart of the Fairlie-Poplar district in downtown Atlanta. The venue is home to the Rialto Series, presenting the best of national and international jazz, world music, and dance; School of Music performances; the Atlanta Film Festival, and many others. In addition, the Art Galleries, based in the Ernest G.

The Digital Arts and Entertainment Laboratory (DAEL), housed in the Department of Communication, offers equipment and facilities for digital media research and production. Georgia State University operates Cinefest Film Theater, a student-run movie theater in the school's University Center.

Athletics

The 16 Georgia State varsity athletic teams compete in the NCAA's Division I, with their football program being in FBS. They are founding members of the Sun Belt Conference. Georgia State's beach volleyball team, competes in Conference USA. The university has won conference championships in basketball (men's and women's), baseball, golf (men's and women's), softball, soccer (men's and women's), women's tennis, and beach volleyball.

Student Government and Greek Life

The representative body of Georgia State students is the Student Government Association (SGA). Georgia State University is home to 31 fraternities and sororities: seven of the North American Interfraternity Conference (IFC), five of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), seven of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and 12 multicultural organizations operating as the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).

Recreation

The on-campus Recreation Center features racquetball courts, a squash court, a 7,000-square-foot free-weight area, an aquatic center, a 35-foot climbing wall, game rooms, exercise rooms, aerobics, dance, and martial arts studios, and a gymnasium containing four basketball/volleyball courts.

Transportation and Accessibility

The university provides shuttles circulating campus following four different routes. The blue route circulates from the parking lots of Turner Field to the heart of campus with stops at Langdale Hall and Sparks Hall, and is active on weekdays from 7:00 am to 2:00 am. The red route circulates between the main campus and the Aderhold Learning Center with stops at the Arts and Humanities buildinnd at the Rialto Center/Aderhold. In December 2014, streetcars returned to Atlanta for the first time in 60 years. The Atlanta Streetcar’s current route transverses the campus along Edgewood and Auburn Avenues.

Georgia State students are allowed access to the Georgia State Stadium parking lots just south of campus at the former site of Turner Field, although access to those lots is limited to weekdays between 7:00 am and 11:00 pm. With the conversion of the Turner Field site from a professional baseball venue to GSU's football venue, it is expected that parking restrictions beyond the regular hours will be limited to days of Panthers home games.

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