The new buildings

proved attractive to returning students, and helped to create a 20 percent

boost in on-campus living. They even persuaded several students to return

to campus, including junior Ben Holland from Columbus.

"The new

apartments were definitely a deciding factor," Holland said, "because

if it wasn't for them, I would have lived off campus.

"It's

much more convenient having your own kitchen, and it heightens the level

of responsibility that you have."

After this

year's renovations are complete, the campus will be home to a new student

center and roughly 650 on-campus beds.

In addition

to its traditional day program for undergraduates, LaGrange College hosts

an Evening College for adult students and also a degree-completion program

in Albany, Ga.

A four-year

liberal arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist

Church, the college is the oldest private institution of higher learning

in Georgia and has an enrollment of about 1,000 students.