University of North Georgia Convocation Center

With a rapidly growing student population and an increasing demand for multi-use spaces, the University of North Georgia recognized the need for a Convocation Center to support academic, athletic, and military training programs. Memorial Hall, built in 1960, could no longer accommodate the university’s expanding enrollment or its 150+ annual events, which range from university athletics to military training, student life activities, and large-scale community gatherings. Beyond the campus, northeast Georgia lacked a large venue capable of hosting regional events, job fairs, and professional development programs. Given ROSSETTI’s expertise in sports design, strategic planning, and programming, the firm was selected to partner with Lord Aeck Sargent to create a versatile, high-impact facility that would serve as the centerpiece of campus life and a regional hub for civic engagement.

The Convocation Center was designed as a multipurpose venue, incorporating key strategies from ROSSETTI’s multipurpose venue prototype to ensure cost efficiency, flexibility, and long-term adaptability. The arena is built for maximum versatility, with a lower seating section designed on a movable track system rather than being cast in place, allowing seamless transitions between sporting events, military drills, and large assemblies. The facility’s academic spaces, including classrooms, labs, and physical training areas, integrate directly with athletic functions to enhance student and cadet training. Additionally, cost-saving measures such as prefabricated structural components and strategic material selection streamlined construction without sacrificing quality. Built into a rocky hillside, the venue’s rolling barrel roof and transparent second-floor story provide natural light and create a distinctive architectural presence that visually connects the facility to the surrounding campus.

The Convocation Center is now a focal point of university life, serving as the primary venue for academic, social, and athletic events. Its versatile design enables it to accommodate a wide range of events, making it an essential hub for UNG and the greater northeast Georgia region. By bringing students, faculty, and the broader community together under one roof, the center fosters a sense of connection and shared experience, reinforcing its role as the heart of campus life. Through a strategic and adaptable design approach, the Convocation Center delivers on its promise of functionality, flexibility, and impact, ensuring it will serve the university and surrounding region for generations to come.