FISHERSVILLE, Va -- Mary Baldwin College is taking the first steps toward building the Murphy Deming College of Health Sciences in Fisherville.

Crews worked to level the ground where the new college will be built and that work will continue until November to complete the building pad and parking lot.

This project is a little smaller than the developers usually work on, and workers say they will have no problem reaching that goal. Crews expect the college to start taking form sometime toward the end of winter.

By 2015, Mary Baldwin will have three graduate programs covering physical and occupational therapy and a masters in physician’s assistance, bringing more opportunities to the area.

“We're excited about the balance of the property that we've got yet to develop, and just the prospect for this whole corridor,” said Scott Williams, co-owner of Crescent Development. “Everybody is almost in one mind now of trying to get things happening in this one little area.”

The new school is possible thanks to a $15-million gift from a former Mary Baldwin graduate and trustee.