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Navy-community council takes up education, encroachment issues Date published: 5/12/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN Construction could begin early next year on a higher education center near the Dahlgren Navy base. The University of Mary Washington's Dahlgren Education and Research Center will encompass about 40,000 square feet and accommodate up to 1,500 students, says UMW Executive Vice President Rick Hurley. Hurley spoke yesterday at the quarterly meeting of the South Potomac Civilian-Military Community Relations Council at the King George County Citizens Center. The council includes representatives from the Dahlgren and Indian Head, Md., naval support facilities and local and state officials. UMW is working with five other state colleges--Old Dominion, Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth, George Mason and the University of Virginia and the Naval Postgraduate School-- to offer graduate-level science and engineering programs. Each of the schools has previously offered courses at Dahlgren. The classes complement the Navy's research and development functions at Dahlgren and Indian Head in southern Maryland. Hurley said after the meeting that the $22 million center is being designed "with the maximum amount of flexibility" to meet students' needs. It would cater to Dahlgren employees and those who work for contractors, but others may also attend. UMW will deliver courses and programs there that it already teaches, if needed, Hurley said. And it's not all for graduate students. Germanna and Rappahannock community colleges could offer two-year programs as well. UMW got $2 million in 2007 to purchase land for the center on U.S. 301, north of the intersection of State Route 206, across from Commerce Drive Business Park. The state is providing the construction funds. Hurley said the structure will include environmentally friendly features, such as a "green" roof, which uses a layer of succulent plants to reduce runoff and heat. In other business, King George School Superintendent Candace Brown told the council that the Dahlgren base has, through education and mentor programs, helped students connect with science and math. One example is N-STAR. The Naval Research: Science and Technology for America's Readiness program provides funds for Navy commands to work with local school systems. Rick Owen, community planning and liaison officer for the Naval Facilities Command in Washington, spoke about how military installations work with localities to avoid incompatible development outside the gates. Many military bases are working with nonprofit agencies and landowners to create conservation easements that don't allow certain types of development. The council's next meeting is in August in Indian Head. Rusty Dennen: 540/374-5431
The terminus of the Dahlgren Railroad Trail will be very near the new campus. Nice opportunity to bike to school!
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