North Georgia College & State University officials announced today that the school was awarded nearly $2 million in federal money to support its foreign language programs.

Half the funding, about $1.2 million, will be used to start a strategic language training center for ROTC cadets and active military across the country, according to a news release from the Dahlonega university.

The language training center is the culmination of more than two years of work by the university, beginning with a National Security Education Program grant in 2008 to start a Chinese program.

After the Chinese program began, NGCSU officials said they recognized a need for instruction in strategic languages for ROTC cadets and reservists.

"Our ability to communicate well with the community leaders in countries where we have officers and troops is vitally important," said Patricia Donat, acting vice president for academic affairs at NGCSU. "It prevents misunderstanding and promotes positive actions."

The grant was authorized in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2010 and will fund instructional faculty, support staff, library resources and study abroad opportunities for cadets, among others.

Editor's note: Due to a source's error, an earlier version of this story gave an incorrect title for Donat.