News and Updates

South Georgia State College Announces Demolition of Floyd Hall, Former Dormitory

South Georgia State College (SGSC) has begun the demolition of Floyd Hall, a building that’s been part of the Douglas Campus for more than 50 years. “Floyd Hall represents more than a structure. It represents generations of learning, growth, and community,” said SGSC Interim President Dr. Greg Tanner. “Although time has taken a toll on the building’s safety and functionality, its significance remains. We will continue to honor its legacy.”

The decision to remove the structure comes after extensive evaluations that determined renovation was not feasible. Demolition plans began at the beginning of December, with safety protocols in place to minimize disruption to campus life. The college and community may notice increased activity near the demolition zone, including construction equipment, fencing, and additional personnel as the process moves forward.

According to historical documents, the school’s enrollment almost doubled between the mid-1960’s and mid-1970’s. The need for additional facilities was recognized, and several major projects began taking shape. A new college union and two classroom buildings (Collins Hall, 1970 and the Nursing Building, 1976) were constructed, along with Floyd Hall which was built in the 1970’s as a men’s dormitory and later transitioned to the focus of housing the student-athletes on campus, along with hosting numerous high school students at summer camps over the years.

Floyd Hall was named in honor of Mr. Ivy Floyd (1908-1978), SGSC’s longtime Director of Plant Operations, who served from the mid-1950’s to the mid-1970’s. A self-taught naturalist and avian expert known for his knowledge of the land and his dedication to the campus, Mr. Floyd made a lasting impact on the college.

After working full-time at SGC for a number of years in his role in plant operations, he transitioned to the college’s part-time fire and safety director. He and Mrs. Floyd lived on campus, just south of the present entrance to Tiger Village 1. The area near his home became the college’s bird sanctuary, known as “The Rookery”. The wildlife refuge sheltered hundreds of birds, and he nursed several crippled or orphaned birds back to life by feeding them breadcrumbs and administering a milk and sugar mixture by eyedropper. It was said they shared their home with several adult birds who seemed to have the run of the house. One story related in a newspaper article tells of how Shecky-bird, a flightless baby blue jay, was rescued from the jaws of a dog by a college employee’s wife. Floyd nursed the orphaned jay back to health and returned it to his natural habitat once it could fly. That was the key to Floyd’s philosophy of life and nature. He believed that God’s little creatures should be left in their natural surroundings and that man should strive to preserve their environment.

His self-taught knowledge of native Georgia birds made him a widely sought after speaker for school groups and meetings of naturalists throughout Georgia. He gained nationwide attention for his one-man campaign to save the Eastern Bluebird when the species was threatened with extinction in south Georgia.

In recognition of his lasting influence on the college, a bronze bust of Mr. Ivy Floyd is displayed in the Georgia Room of the William S. Smith Library, serving as a tribute to his decades of service and his deep connection to the campus grounds. The library also houses a copy of his book, “The Titmouse Family,” dedicated to his wife Ellen, for her years of “caring for birds, seeing that there was grain in the feeder and plenty of water and doctoring sick and crippled ones.” She gave untold hours helping little wild creatures who could not help themselves.

“Floyd Hall has been part of our story for more than half a century, and its roots run deep in this campus,” said Dr. Tanner. “Remembering Mr. Ivy Floyd and the generations of students who lived and learned here reminds us how much history is woven into every corner of SGSC.”

Read The Titmouse Family by Ivy Floyd HERE.