Newberry College breaks ground on new nursing facility

NEWBERRY, SC (WOLO) — Newberry College has three new projects underway this spring. The one that broke ground on Monday benefits the school’s nursing program.

“Our students are doing so well on the state exam after they finish school. Our nurses are everywhere,” said Dr. Mauric Scherrens, Newberry College president.

Previously, those nursing students have not had very much space on campus.

“Our nursing students haven’t had a home that was their own. They were located in the science and math building,” Scherrens said. “This is the first time they’ve ever had their own building.”

At a former parking lot on the corner of College and Evans Streets, students and faculty broke ground on the new 11,000 square foot facility that is expected to be completed in May of next year.

“As a member of the Newberry community and of the healthcare profession, this facility will have resounding benefits not only for the college but for the community and even for the state,” said Dr. John Thompson, an internal medicine specialist in Newberry.

Once nursing students have a building of their own, Newberry College staff believes it will attract more people to the program.

“We will look to see if we can increase our enrollment. Also, just by simply having this building, it will give folks the notion that we have a program here on campus that is growing and very dynamic. We are committed to the nursing program,” said Dr. Jerry Alewine, Newberry’s dean of nursing and health science.

“When they see a new building going up at Newberry College that’s state of the art, they’re like ‘That’s where I want to go,’” Scherrens said.

The building will house state-of-the-art classrooms and simulation labs.

“Simulation will be very important for our students,” said Newberry director of nursing Jenny Lindler. “Having our own space where we can actually do that will really prepare our students. In clinical, they can’t see everything. With simulation, we can devote a space for things they wouldn’t typically see.”

As a former student, Lindler says the Newberry nursing program is more than just about the facilities however.

“Our class sizes are very small so you get that personalized attention that they need,” Lindler said. “Other programs have hundreds of students and we only have 16 at a time. We can really give you that personalized attention and you always have somebody that has your back.”

“We’ve got something special here. It’s more than just the education,” Scherrens said. “We’re graduating students with a purpose as well.”

Newberry College will also celebrate groundbreakings for football stadium renovations and a new residents hall in March and April.