Morehouse medical school names $45 million building after Calvin Smyre

This is a rendering of the planned Calvin Smyre Education Center on the Morehouse School of Medicine campus. The building will contain conference and education space, group workspace for students and office space. It's scheduled to be completed in 2024. Image credit: Morehouse School of Medicine.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

This is a rendering of the planned Calvin Smyre Education Center on the Morehouse School of Medicine campus. The building will contain conference and education space, group workspace for students and office space. It's scheduled to be completed in 2024. Image credit: Morehouse School of Medicine.

Morehouse School of Medicine leaders recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a $45 million academic facility that included a surprise for one guest.

The building will be named after longtime board member and state lawmaker Calvin Smyre.

“I am overwhelmed and so appreciative that you would name a building after me,” an emotional Smyre said at Thursday’s ceremony. “I love the Morehouse School of Medicine because of the important work that we do.”

The 52,300-square foot building, scheduled to be completed in early 2024, will contain conference and classroom space, group workspace for students, office space and outside relaxation space.

Calvin Smyre is greeted by a long line of Georgia lawmakers after a portrait of him was unveiled on the floor of the state House of Representatives in April. Smyre is retiring from the Georgia House of Representatives as he prepares to serve as U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic. Morehouse School of Medicine on May 19 announced it is naming a building under construction after Smyre, who is a longtime board member. AJC FILE PHOTO.

Credit: Bob Andres/AJC

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Credit: Bob Andres/AJC

Smyre has been credited with getting private and state funding for research at the school. The Georgia Research Alliance announced last year a $15 million public-private partnership to find new treatments and therapies for sickle cell disease. Morehouse School of Medicine is part of the alliance. An endowed research chair was named after Smyre.

Smyre, who turned 75 on Wednesday, has been Morehouse School of Medicine’s board of trustees for 41 years. He announced his retirement from the Georgia House of Representatives this year after 48 years. President Joe Biden nominated Smyre to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas.

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