Spring Commencement 2012

One of my favorite sights every year is the line of graduates stretching down Broad Street waiting to have their pictures taken in cap and gown under the Arch. The image speaks to the power of the Arch as an icon for UGA and the connection all of us have to this place.

Commencement is a highlight of the academic year and a day of excitement and celebration for the graduates and their families. During two ceremonies on Friday, May 11 the university will confer some 5,200 degrees and release to this state and the world young people who… ... continue

President’s Statement, May 2013

Fifteen years ago next month I stood on these very Chapel steps to accept the opportunity that was given to me to serve as president of this great institution.   With me at that time were my parents, both of whom have passed on to a better place, and my two sons, both of whom have married UGA alumnae.  

As I stand here today, fifteen years later, there has always been one constant with me, and that is my lovely wife and First Lady of the university, Mary Adams.   I want to ask you all to please join me in… ... continue

Stadion Classic at UGA 2012

On Thursday, May 3^rd the University of Georgia will host the third annual Stadion Classic at UGA.  Our exceptional personnel, unique expertise, existing infrastructure, and world class course will allow us to host one the finest events on the Nationwide Tour. 

Last year the tournament was won by one of UGA’s own former student athletes, Russell Henley, and in exciting fashion.  In fact, there are several current and former Bulldog golfers competing in the tour, and we wish each of them much success on their home course. 

My hope is that this will continue to be a landmark… ... continue

Stadion Classic at UGA website

2012 Memorial Service

As this academic term draws to a close, now is a time to reflect on the all that UGA has experienced over the past year.   There have been many joys and triumphs, but there has also been cause for sadness.

On Tuesday, May 1, we will pause as we do annually to celebrate the memories of those members of our UGA family who we have lost over the past year.  In a very solemn and affirming ceremony, the names of each UGA student, faculty and staff member who passed away this past year will be read and the Chapel Bell… ... continue

2012 Honors Week

Once again we are combining many of the various annual recognitions of student, faculty and staff excellence into one Honors Week (April 16-20).  It is a great opportunity to bring attention to the extraordinary work that is done here every year by some extraordinary people.

At this year’s Faculty Recognition Banquet we will honor the recipients of the Meigs and other awards for excellence in teaching. The Public Service and Outreach Annual Meeting recognizes recipients of the Walter Hill Award and other accomplishments in fulfilling the land-grant mission to serve the people of Georgia. Our top graduating students will… ... continue

Morrill Act

This year marks the 150^th anniversary of the Morrill Act, also known as the Land-Grant College Act, which established institutions in each state dedicated to educating people of all social classes in agricultural, mechanical and home economics professions that were practical at the time.

I believe the Morrill Act to be one of the two most important statements in the development of public higher education in America.

The first was the Charter establishing the University of Georgia as the first state-chartered university in this country.  Authored by Abraham Baldwin, the first president of UGA, and ratified by the General Assembly… ... continue

Special Collections Library Dedication

The Richard B. Russell Building Special Collections Libraries, was dedicated this Friday, February 17 and it is a magnificent addition to the UGA campus.  In keeping with modern historical tradition, in which libraries were built as monuments to the life of the mind, the architecture of the Russell Building speaks to the treasures of Georgia history, politics and culture contained inside.

Designed around the three primary special collections now housed there – the Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Collection, the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, and the Walter J. Brown Media Archives and Peabody Awards Collection… ... continue

Black History Month 2012

The month of February allows us each year to pause and acknowledge the cultural significance of Black History Month in this great nation, this state and particularly at the University of Georgia. 

We have enjoyed contributions of African Americans to our university community dating back to our desegregation in 1961, when Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes first enrolled at UGA and when Mary Frances Early became UGA’s first African American degree recipient two years later. 

Those contributions continue to be realized by and from the thousands of students of color who have walked through the Arch since then,… ... continue

2012 Black History Month activities at the University of Georgia

2012 State of the University Address Text

Georgia's success depends on UGA's success. There is no way around it. We educate Georgia at UGA. We produce the leadership class for this state. We produce the producers, create the creators, energize the innovators, encourage the change agents. We send into the world people equipped for success in what has been variously called the Age of the Mind, the Intellectual Capital Era or, to quote Thomas Friedman, a Flattened World.

.........

But the flagship institution is supposed to be reflective of its home state. It is supposed to be the place that sets the academic standard for the state, a standard… ... continue

Full Text of the 2012 State of the University Address

2012 State of the University Address

Conrad Fink

The University of Georgia community mourns the loss of an icon in the field of journalism.  Grady College professor Dr. Conrad Fink passed away, leaving in his wake literally thousands of young minds around the world who he nurtured, mentored and touch during his time teaching here.

Conrad Fink was a dear personal friend and the consummate colleague and teacher. He fought valiantly in the last year against difficult health circumstances. We will all miss him and send our deepest sympathies to the entire family.

Freedom Breakfast 2012

On January 13 we will host the annual Freedom Breakfast, honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by recognizing members of the UGA and Athens community who are keeping his dream alive. This annual gathering serves as the kickoff to the university's King Week celebration.   Billye Aaron, an advocate for higher education for African-American citizens and the wife of baseball legend Hank Aaron, is the keynote speaker, and she will help present the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Awards.

 The Clarke County School District is the co-sponsor for this event.

Dr. King was a seminal figure in American history;… ... continue

Happy New Year 2012

Happy New Year and welcome back to campus!  If you are like me, the time away is enjoyable and valuable, but it is also good to return to this place and this community.  We belong here, together, engaged in carrying forward the educational mission of America’s first state-chartered university.

The start of the spring term sets off a series of events that will culminate in Commencement on May 11.  Such confluences of beginnings and endings are why this month is named for the Roman god Janus, who had one face looking forward and one looking backward, reflecting and anticipating at… ... continue

Happy Holidays 2011

I find myself at this time of year filled with gratitude – gratitude for the opportunity to work on one of America’s most beautiful campuses; gratitude for the faculty, staff and students who have made the University of Georgia one of America’s best public universities; and gratitude for the personal and professional relationships that have enriched my life.

We are indeed fortunate to be engaged in the important work of public higher education, the idea for which was articulated in Abraham Baldwin’s 1785 Charter.  One of the highlights of this year was the dedication of a statue of Baldwin… ... continue

Fall Commencement 2011

The University of Georgia will hold its fall commencement exercise on Friday, December 16, sending about 2,200 new UGA graduates into the world.  I will tell them, as I do at every graduation ceremony, that we expect great things from them.  Since the first graduation ceremony in 1804, those who graduate from this place  have gone out to become leaders, innovators, change agents, volunteers and the kind of citizen who makes communities better places to live.

That is the legacy of the land-grant university.  We are charged by Congress to serve the people of this state, and we expect that… ... continue

Munson Memorial

This Saturday morning we will pause to remember the life and times of a legend in the University of Georgia community, Larry Munson.  It is fitting that this special memorial event will take place in Sanford Stadium.

Larry Munson exemplified the excellence that we believe is the symbol of all the University of Georgia does today.  He was loved by thousands of alumni and friends, and was completely devoted to this university and all its athletic teams.  He will be greatly missed by all of us.  Mary and I extend our deepest sympathy to all the Munson family.

I hope you will… ... continue

Marshall Scholar 2012

·       The University of Georgia continues to attract and produce some of the best students in America, as evidenced by the announcement of one of the 2012 Marshall Scholar recipients.  Matthew Sellers, a Foundation Fellow from Perry, will study at a university of his choosing in Great Britain for two years.  Matthew is one of 36 students chosen to earn this prestigious recognition, and he is the fifth UGA student to earn the award in the past decade.

Sellers plans to pursue a master of studies program in modern literature followed by a doctor of philosophy program in… ... continue

Thanksgiving 2011

Legendary Larry Munson passes away

Better Relations Day

As the University of Georgia prepares to take on Auburn University on the football field on Saturday – a contest that is known for being the South’s oldest rivalry – I want to extend kudos to the student leaders at both institutions for continuing the long standing tradition of “Better Relations Day.   Today we welcome the arrival of several student leaders from Auburn to our campus community for a day’s worth of discussions and exchanges regarding programs, traditions, and ideas unique to each institution as well as those shared by.

Better Relations Day was born from a time when collegiality… ... continue

Doyle—VP Gov’t Relations

Today I was pleased to introduce J. Griffin “Griff” Doyle to the University of Georgia community as our institution’s next vice president for government relations, a role that Mr. Doyle has filled in an interim role for the past several months. 

The vice president for government relations oversees the university’s liaison with federal, state and local governmental officials, with each area being under a director. 

Griff Doyle’s depth of experience in the state, federal and local governmental arenas will make him a strong and effective advocate for the university’s interests  He is well-known and respected among our elected… ... continue

News release and Doyle Bio

Chancellor Huckaby Investiture 2011

On Wednesday, I will be in the House Chamber at the State Capitol for the investiture of Hank Huckaby as the 12^th Chancellor of the University System of Georgia.  Hank, who served as Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration at UGA and has held many senior positions in state government, has already shown himself to be the ideal choice for the System at this time.

Hank has been a student, faculty member and administrator in the University System, and has a deep love for the work that we do every day and a great appreciation for the impact of… ... continue

Fall Break 2011

The mornings are cool and crisp, the trees of campus are turning fall colors and the new statue of Abraham Baldwin gazes across the North Campus lawn toward downtown Athens.  Fall Break is upon us, providing a needed respite from academic endeavors before the drive toward finals and Fall Commencement.

Some of you will be traveling south for the Florida game on Saturday; many others will be heading home, to a friend’s house or on a weekend getaway.  Please be careful as you drive; make good decisions; and return to campus safely on Monday.

Go Dawgs!

Campaign for Charities 2011

Campaign for Charities

Statewide Staff Council 11

The University of Georgia will host the University System of Georgia Staff Council Conference October 5-6.  This is an opportunity for staff from the Systems 35 colleges and schools to meet with each other, forge relationships, share ideas, engage in professional development and hear from Chancellor Hank Huckaby and others.  I am glad that UGA is hosting this event.

 The staff at UGA and throughout the System are truly the unsung heroes of higher education.  While much attention is paid to students and faculty, it is the staff that does the critical and necessary work behind the scenes that makes… ... continue

Conference Registration Site

Abraham Baldwin Sculpture

Abraham Baldwin was a soldier, patriot, statesman, scholar and member of the Continental Congress.  Most importantly to the University of Georgia, he was the author of the Charter which established this university and served as UGA’s first president.  On Friday, September 16, on the north lawn of Old College, we will unveil and dedicate a statue of the man whose words created the system of public higher education in this country.

Abraham Baldwin Statute UnveilingThe University of Georgia's Charter

Welcome Back 2011

Welcome to the University of Georgia and the start of our 211^th academic year.  All of us are stewards of the legacy of the birthplace of American public higher education, established by the Charter of the University in 1785.  It is an important responsibility and part of what makes UGA a special place.

We come to campus this fall with the largest freshman class in UGA’s history, some 5,500 strong.  As did their predecessors, they bring an impressive academic profile and are fully prepared for success in a rigorous university environment.  They are also the inaugural class of the First-Year… ... continue

End of Summer 2011

Summer session 2011  officially concluded on August 6 with commencement.  Fittingly, students and families heard an address from Dennis Lockhart, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. This significant day in the lives of some 1,600 UGA students also marked the transition into the 2011-12 academic year and the fall semester.  Starting this week we will welcome the 5,500 freshmen who have enrolled at UGA, the first to enjoy the First-Year Odyssey, an innovative academic program that will place every freshman in a small, seminar-style class with a tenured or tenure-track faculty member.

 It’s an exciting time… ... continue

UGA's First-Year Odyssey program

Summer Orientation 2011

Ceremonial Flagpole

On June 21, we will dedicate the University’s first ceremonial flagpole, located on the West Plaza of the Tate Student Center,  and while there are several flagpoles across campus, there has not been one designated as UGA’s signature flagpole until now. 

And like most of the best ideas on this campus, this one did not originate in the Administration Building.  Wells Ellenberg, a junior from St. Simons majoring in history and political science, and a young man whose family has a deep tradition of military service, wrote to me and suggested that we install a flagpole in a location where… ... continue

Summer on campus

Summer has arrived on campus, but there is still a lot of activity, both for students and the community. This past Saturday, the newly expanded Georgia Museum of Art hosted a Family Day activity entitled “Go Figure,” featuring the installation “Horizons” by Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir.  Following the installation, participants had the opportunity to create their own figurative sculptures in the first-floor classroom. This is the kind of outreach that the state’s museum of art conducts year-round, and is just one example of how the University of Georgia serves the community and the state. For more information about this event… ... continue

2011 Peabody Awards

2011 Commencement Ceremonies

One of my favorite sights every year is the line of graduates stretching down Broad Street waiting to have their pictures taken in cap and gown under the Arch. The image speaks to the power of the Arch as an icon for UGA and the connection all of us have to this place.

Commencement is a highlight of the academic year and a day of excitement and celebration for the graduates and their families. During two ceremonies on May 13 – graduate commencement at 10 in Stegeman Coliseum and undergraduate commencement at 7 in Sanford Stadium – the university will… ... continue

Final days of classes

The pace of academic life has certainly picked up in the past few weeks as spring commencement approaches and summer looms on the horizon. This has been another very good year for the University of Georgia; I am proud of the academic environment we are building here together.

All of us owe a debt of gratitude to the faculty and staff who have devoted their lives and talents to the University of Georgia in support of its missions. I had the privilege this week to meeting with those faculty and staff who are retiring this year – what a wealth… ... continue

April 2011 Budget Update

·  In an era of instant communication and access to information, this is about as “hot off the press” as it can get – the FY12 state budget has been approved by the legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

·       Just this week, the Regents acted on the System allocation of state funds, and set tuition and fees for the upcoming academic year.  We have notified deans and vice presidents of their budget allocations so they can begin planning implementation – and making some difficult decisions.

·       More than anything I have seen, this slide tells the… ... continue

Honors Week, Regents Meetings, SOAR Awards and Mary Frances Early

Honors Week at UGA was a busy time, but the celebration was a great success. Taking one week to focus on excellence in our students, faculty and staff was both encouraging and invigorating.

Much of the activity that took place during Honors Week celebrated individual accomplishments.  However there were other activities that took place during that week that also highlighted excellence in teamwork and camaraderie.  

Among them was the annual SOAR awards in the student affairs division, a program which celebrates achievements of student organizations and group community service.  I applaud all the award winners recognized during that event.

2011 SOAR Awards

2011 Honor’s Week

For the first time in UGA history, we are combining the various annual recognitions of student, faculty and staff excellence into one Honors Week (April 11-15). It is important that we bring attention to the extraordinary work that is done here every year by some extraordinary people. Our culture is quick to focus on the negative, so we are emphasizing the positive!

At the Faculty Recognition Banquet we will honor the recipients of the Meigs and other awards for excellence in teaching. The Public Service and Outreach Annual Meeting recognizes recipients of the Walter Hill Award and other accomplishments in… ... continue

Pride in our students

I continue to be amazed at the quality of our University of Georgia students.   In recent days we have learned of several students earning national and international recognition for their academic work.  

For the fourth consecutive year, a University of Georgia undergraduate has been named a recipient of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Scholarship. Todd Pierson, a second-year Honors student, is UGA’s seventh Udall Scholar and is one of 80 recipients of the national award, which recognizes sophomores and juniors who are pursuing careers in environmental or Native American issues.

UGA’s recent… ... continue

Three Honors Students Named 2011 Goldwater Scholars / UGA Undergraduate Earns 2011 Udall Scholarship / UGA Honors Student Named 2011 Rhodes Scholar

March roars in like a lion

This has been a whirlwind semester, and there is still much more ahead for this semester.

This week will be one of excitement for some and disappointment for others, unfortunately.  The undergraduate admissions office will send out notifications to about 15,000 applicants letting them know whether or not they are being offered admission to UGA.  I regret that we have to turn away so many Georgians, but the interest in attending UGA affirms that we are a desired place and still one of America’s best buys in higher education.

This week we are also celebrating the handover of the the Navy… ... continue

UGA Graduate and Professional programs

Several UGA graduate and professional programs were recently recognized with high marks in the recently released annual rankings by U.S. News and World Report.  Rankings such as these are satisfying because they are a reflection of the quality of the programs at the University of Georgia.  As we begin to implement a new strategic plan with a focus on graduate and professional education, we do so knowing that the foundation on which we will expand is strong and the state of Georgia is well-served by these programs.

Full story

Archnews, January 19, 2011

Greetings to the University of Georgia community, and welcome back to what now seems to be our first full week of the Spring 2011 academic semester. Last week’s snow and ice storm, the most significant in Athens’ history, caused us to cancel classes for the first three days of school and delay our opening on Thursday and Friday.

By the end of the week, however, the UGA campus was in good shape, thanks to the hundreds of staff in the physical plant division and the public safety division under the leadership of Ralph Johnson and Jimmy Williamson, respectively. The dining… ... continue

Developing an economic and sustainable bioenergy future

The new Bioenergy Systems Research Institute puts UGA at the forefront of the national effort to develop alternative fuel sources and to reduce human production of greenhouse gases.  Approved by University Council on December 2, the BSRI will emphasize collaborative research to develop plant-based sources of biofuels.

The Institute will focus many of the individual projects already underway at UGA in this area and pull together faculty from disciplines across campus to take on the complex challenge of generating reliable and renewable energy from naturally occurring materials. "All or nearly all of the pieces are present to pursue… ... continue

For more information, please visit the website Bioenergy at UGA

UGA Honors student named 2011 Rhodes Scholar

For more information about UGA’s Honors and Foundation Fellows Programs, see www.uga.edu/honors. For more information about the Rhodes Scholarship program, see www.rhodesscholar.org.