Brenau University recently purchased Featherbone Communiversity at 1001 Chestnut St. SE in Gainesville.
A press release from the university said it had rented part of the property to serve as its East Campus since moving the nursing program there in 2007.
“When the opportunity arose for Brenau to move from being a tenant to an owner of the former Featherbone property, we knew it would be the perfect location to facilitate the continued expansion of Brenau’s programs at a site that is convenient for students and the community,” Brenau President David L. Barnett said. “It was my pleasure to collaborate with Gus Whalen on behalf of Brenau when he created the communiversity idea nearly 20 years ago, and Brenau is dedicated to continuing the educational and community components that were part of his vision.”
A charitable donation from the ownership group, Featherbone Center, LLC, partially funded the purchase of the property.
“We were very pleased to work with Brenau to have the university acquire full ownership of the former Featherbone property,” Philip Wilheit, an LLC partner, said. “It was always the vision of Gus Whalen that the university one day would acquire the property to continue expanding educational opportunities and supporting the community. Gus was very supportive of the work Brenau does, and so are we.”
Featherbone Communiversity currently houses the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing and the School of Occupational Therapy.
The campus has four simulation labs, with a pregnancy and child simulator, for nursing students. For occupational therapy students, there are occupational therapy labs and other spaces for them to work with community members.
The current programs will remain in the building, and the university is assessing future uses of the building.
