Mount de Sales Academy announces new Judge Betty Willis Ruben Center for Global Studies
"I think this place embodies the transformative effect that education can have on young people,” said Bill Underwood, President of Mercer University.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Plans for a new global arts center, in partnership with Mercer University, were unveiled at the David J. Zuver Performing Arts Center at Mount de Sales Academy on Wednesday.
Judge Betty Willis Ruben (Photo: Mount de Sales Academy)
The Judge Betty Willis Ruben Center for Global Studies at Mount de Sales Academy was officially dedicated, made possible by a bequest—the act of giving or leaving something by will—from alumnus Judge Ruben. Judge Ruben, who passed away last year, left behind a long list of achievements, many of which were shared during the ceremony.
“You know, really what we do here is we try to open doors for our students and provide opportunities for them to find themselves and hopefully find themselves in service,” said Brendan O’Kane, President of Mount De Sales Academy.
“We’re envisioning what that will look like. What we imagine is really three-pronged,” he said. “First of all, being a language learning center. Just continual studying of languages. Second would be the study of our cultures, right, so getting to know one another. We have international students, we have a very diverse community right here locally. The final piece would be service. So, the first initiative is Mercer on Mission. We will be sending students this summer to work with Mercer on that program. So hopefully it’s three things happening in the space , so we’re very excited.”
According to Bill Underwood, President of Mercer University, Mercer on Mission is designed to integrate research, service, and learning in international settings.
“This school is important to our community,” said Underwood, while mentioning how his son also went to Mount De Sales Academy. “I think it’s a unique, educational opportunity for students in the community. I think its presence here in the downtown neighborhood is important. I think this place embodies the transformative effect that education can have on young people.”
The center, currently in the planning stages, will be located on the Mount de Sales campus, where classrooms are set to be renovated to create the facility.
Renovations will take place over the summer, and the center will open this fall.
