As you read this article, the Goodman South Campus of Madison College will have come to life for the Fall 2019 Semester with faculty, students, staff, and community members utilizing a state-of-the-art facility that consists of 76,000 square feet on three levels.

Located on 2429 Perry Street, at the corner of Park Street and Badger Road with 230 parking spots, the new full service campus with an estimated cost of $23 million was made possible by a lead gift of $10 million from the Irwin and Robert D. Goodman Foundation and was completed thanks to the passion and dedication of all those involved.

In the most under-served area of Madison, this campus is directly across the street from a Madison Metro bus transfer point, Centro Hispano, and mere blocks from the Urban League of Greater Madison, both of which will be coordinating with the campus to provide resources and forge lasting partnerships to serve the community.

“Building a new campus in south Madison isn’t about Madison College. It’s about serving a population that has been historically underrepresented and marginalized,” said Dr. Jack E Daniels III, president of Madison College.

The word welcome, in 17 different languages, greets visitors upon entering the spacious multi-level atrium. Those familiar with the Madison College Truax Campus will instantly recognize the Gateway Theme. The hard woods, textured limestone and familiar colors from the carpets to the accent pieces throughout the campus offer a warm and inviting environment for educational and community activities alike. Throughout the building there will be local artists work displayed from the Afro-American, Hmong, Hispanic, and Native American communities adding to the inclusive nature of the campus with dedicated space for this art near a community room which can hold 200 people.

The South Campus will provide programs for liberal arts, medical assisting, nursing, CNA, IT, STEM, as well as allow high school juniors and seniors of the Madison Metropolitan School District to participate in STEM development classes. Most of the rooms in the building have natural light pouring into them, including computer rooms, and the four labs dedicated to biology, physics, chemistry, and earth sciences located on the lower level. There is also a food services area located on the main floor, which will undoubtedly be popular with students and faculty alike.

According to the Director of Facility Services for Madison College Michael Stark, the building itself has over 200 solar panels generating more than 100 kw of energy which helps supply the energy efficient LED lighting throughout the building. Other environmental considerations have been given to rainwater runoff, which is contained in several retention ponds, especially that of the parking lot which is easily accessible.

Steps have been taken to ensure the parking lot will be adequate for the student body. In addition to the bus transfer point across the street, two shuttles will running back and forth to the Truax campus with a stop downtown along the way.