Piercing dirt with gold-painted shovels, Governor Nathan Deal, Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel and a host of local leaders signaled the beginning of a large-scale effort Tuesday to construct the University’s newest state-of-the-art facility. The university and its president welcomed Gov. Deal, along with state and local representatives, to the intersection of Akins Drive and Forest Drive for an official groundbreaking ceremony for Georgia Southern’s new, $37 million Biological Sciences Building.