January 29, 2025
by Jere W. Morehead, President
Zell B. Miller Learning Center
2025 State of the University Address collateral is available here.
Introduction
Thank you for joining me for the 2025 State of the University Address—a moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of excellence that defines the University of Georgia and the new heights we aim to reach in the years ahead.
This University has existed for 240 years as a symbol of optimism, strength, and prosperity for the state of Georgia and its people. Guided by our land-grant and sea-grant mission, the University of Georgia has been educating future leaders, researching solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, and serving communities throughout the state for nearly as long as our nation has existed.
As the birthplace of public higher education in America, the University’s storied history is filled with chapter after chapter of achievements. UGA has consistently positioned itself on the cutting edge of public research institutions, producing groundbreaking innovations in health care and science and emerging as a global leader in business and law.
But we are not content to rest. As Bulldogs, we are tenacious and remain committed to reaching higher and accomplishing even more. Now, more than ever, we are dedicated to forging new opportunities that will create positive change for our state and its citizens. This shared purpose—our relentless pursuit of excellence—forms the very foundation upon which our success as an institution is built. And that purpose is why we continue to celebrate countless achievements while never losing sight of our bold aspirations for the future.
During this address, I plan to showcase the University of Georgia’s leadership in tackling grand challenges through novel research and strategic partnerships; to emphasize our unwavering commitment to student success; and to reinforce the University’s devotion to serving the public good.
Together, guided by our mission, propelled by a groundswell of momentum, and inspired by boundless possibilities ahead, we are boldly writing the next chapter of the University of Georgia. As we look toward the future, I invite you to embrace this moment and join in these efforts to continue transforming our University, where excellence is not just a goal but a guiding principle that shapes everything we do. In the years to come, we will continue to innovate, to lead, and to serve, inspiring lasting progress not only for our campus but for communities across Georgia, throughout the nation, and around the world.
Leadership Through Groundbreaking Research
As one of the nation’s top public research institutions, the University of Georgia has established itself as a leader in the generation of new knowledge, thanks in large part to the efforts and expertise of our faculty. Their work culminated in another record-setting year for UGA’s research enterprise, during which the University’s total R&D expenditures reached an all-time high of $628 million. This represents a 10 percent increase from the previous year’s total and an incredible 77 percent increase over the past decade. Fueled by growth in sponsored research from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and numerous other sources, the University of Georgia continues to explore solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.
Given UGA’s flourishing research pipeline, it is no surprise that our faculty continue to receive national recognition as leaders in their fields. In the past decade, UGA faculty celebrated countless achievements, including being honored with highly prestigious national awards, contributing to tens of thousands of citations in top academic journals, and publishing nearly 800 books across many disciplines. Last year alone, UGA conferred an impressive 598 doctoral degrees. These accomplishments underscore our faculty’s commitment to advancing knowledge and shaping a brighter future through their groundbreaking work, while elevating UGA’s reputation as a leader in research.
UGA faculty have excelled at translating their high-level research into practical solutions, with the University once again being ranked number one in the nation for commercial products brought to the market. From innovations in drug development technology to enhanced crop varieties, the scope and impact of UGA’s research continues to expand.
To push these efforts even further, I recently authorized an expanded Faculty Innovation Fellows program to broaden the reach of the Innovation District by equipping highly qualified faculty ambassadors within our academic units. These fellows will foster a culture of innovation, connect colleagues to entrepreneurial resources, and align academic goals with additional opportunities. A two-year pilot program is planned, targeting five fellows in the first year and increasing to 10 by year two.
Our achievements in research—and our goals for pushing further—represent something even greater: the University’s commitment to elevating the human condition. Nothing showcases this commitment more than the recent Presidential Hiring Initiatives that have added 97 renowned scholars since 2020 in fields of strategic emphasis such as brain and behavioral health, data science and artificial intelligence, electric mobility, and integrative precision agriculture.
This academic year, we also welcomed the University’s three newest Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholars, bringing our current total to 19. Their expertise in the areas of molecular cell biology, synthetic biology, and molecular medicine will accelerate discovery in the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the School of Medicine.
Thanks to our loyal donors, we also have increased the number of endowed chairs and professorships from 229 in 2014 to 380 a decade later. A world-class faculty is the driving force behind any successful research university, and I look forward to seeing their collective expertise continue to redefine the boundaries of what is possible.
The University’s support for research does not stop with our faculty. Attracting and retaining highly talented graduate students also plays a vital role in UGA’s success across all three areas of our land-grant mission. In the past fiscal year alone, the University raised more than $14 million in graduate and professional support to bolster the Presidential Graduate Fellowship and other graduate scholarships. This support increases the opportunities for our graduate students and enhances critical campus resources that foster the holistic development of the next generation of researchers and scholars.
Preparing Future Leaders for Excellence
Of course, students are at the heart of all that we do at the University of Georgia. Tasked with educating tomorrow’s leaders, UGA has consistently risen to meet the needs of communities, the state of Georgia, and our nation by instilling in our graduates an intellectual curiosity that complements the critical-thinking and problem-solving skills honed during their time on campus.
In recognition of our world-class learning environment and the dedicated efforts of our faculty and staff, U.S. News & World Report ranked UGA number 18 on the list of America’s top public universities, up two spots from last year and our ninth consecutive year in the top 20. Several of UGA’s schools and colleges, as well as a number of graduate and professional programs, also secured top spots in national rankings, including top 10 rankings for programs in the Terry College of Business, the School of Public and International Affairs, and the McBee Institute of Higher Education. In addition, the School of Law was once again ranked the top value in legal education, and the Morehead Honors College was ranked the best honors program in the United States.
As we strive to provide our students with transformational learning opportunities, it is vital that we support all of our students to help them reach their full potential. To that end, for the seventh year in a row, UGA was listed among the top three military-friendly, tier-1 research institutions in the nation. The University was named a recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award for the 11th consecutive year. We also ranked seventh in overall study abroad participation among American research universities, and third for short-term study abroad programs.
Motivated by the promise of UGA’s premier educational environment, applications to the University and our total enrollment continue to soar. One of the most academically gifted classes in our history, the Class of 2028 includes students from nearly every county in Georgia and nearly every state in the nation. Notably, one in four incoming freshmen are considered first-generation students, demonstrating the truly life-changing impact that the University of Georgia has on so many of our students and their families.
Making a University of Georgia education accessible to more and more students continues to be among our highest priorities. I am excited to announce that this fall, we surpassed our goal of establishing 1,000 total need-based endowed scholarships, a testament to the generosity of our supporters. These scholarships are critical to our mission and commitment to making UGA financially accessible for more students, regardless of their family’s income.
Our talented students arrive on campus with a vision for their future and a plan for how to achieve their goals. It is truly a privilege that we get to encourage our students in these endeavors and then watch them flourish. And believe me, our students should be extremely proud of all that they have accomplished. On the heels of back-to-back Rhodes Scholars—for the fourth time in the University’s history, I might add—UGA was once again recognized for the academic achievements of our students. We were named a top producer of Fulbright and Boren Scholars, established a new record with three Schwarzman Scholars, and had a Truman and two Goldwater Scholars.
UGA continues to set the standard among national peers for critical measures of student success. Four-year and six-year graduation rates reached record highs last year, increasing to 76 percent and 89 percent, respectively. We also take great pride in the fact that 96 percent of our students are either employed full-time or entering graduate school within six months of completing their degree. Beyond that, nearly two-thirds of graduating seniors remain in Georgia, where they help drive economic progress and enhance the vitality of our communities.
The University of Georgia is advancing student learning through innovative initiatives across campus. The new Willis Center for Writing equips students with essential communication skills for the 21st century, complementing the Active Learning Initiative, which has impacted more than 78,000 students since 2018 through hands-on and dynamic learning experiences. Building on this commitment, the newly funded Miller Learning Center Creative Engagement Wing will provide cutting-edge tools and services—including design and fabrication, media production, and virtual reality—to foster creativity and innovation in UGA’s most-visited academic building. These investments are preparing our students to think, plan, and create for the future.
Contributing to Progress in Georgia and Across the World
In our role as the flagship institution of the state, we are more than just the University of Georgia—we are the University for Georgia. Serving our communities and improving the lives of citizens throughout the state and beyond are quintessential elements of our identity and define the work that we do in support of our land-grant and sea-grant mission.
Propelled by this purpose, last year, the University of Georgia made a record-breaking economic impact of $8.4 billion on our state. Year after year, we see this number continue to grow due to the intentional efforts of our faculty and staff, as well as all of our valued partners throughout Georgia.
For example, in the last five years, UGA’s Small Business Development Center has helped launch more than 2,000 businesses that generated over 15,000 new jobs. We also launched our ninth Archway Partnership community in Dublin, connecting cities across Georgia with UGA faculty and students who tackle locally identified issues and help implement long-term solutions with wide-ranging economic benefits.
But our contributions do not stop there. Last summer, we were proud to announce that the University of Georgia and the United States Army signed an agreement to enhance the resiliency of military installations and their surrounding communities. The partnership is authorized for up to $100 million over 10 years and will begin with military bases in Georgia before ultimately serving as a model to expand to other military bases across the nation.
Our service to the state also means lifting up Georgians when times are tough. We have fully embraced our responsibility to Georgia’s farmers, foresters, and agricultural producers in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on our state. I am extremely proud of our university’s immediate response, as well as the ongoing efforts of UGA Extension to work hand-in-hand with our state leaders helping Georgia’s leading industries recover.
A key component of expanding our institution’s reach even further will be the emergence of the University of Georgia School of Medicine. By broadening access to health care, utilizing UGA’s extensive research infrastructure, and dramatically increasing the number of trained medical professionals in Georgia, the School of Medicine alone will generate between $1.8 and $2.3 billion in cumulative economic impact on the state by 2040, according to a recent external report.
Powered by this exciting vision, I am pleased to report that we have received $100 million in a combination of state funding and private commitments for the new School of Medicine building less than a year after its announcement. This ambitious goal was reached only through the steadfast support of the Governor, General Assembly, Chancellor, and Board of Regents, as well as the UGA Foundation, the UGA Research Foundation, and the profound generosity of our loyal donors. The state-of-the-art facility will feature dedicated spaces for active learning classrooms, medical simulation, clinical skills, anatomy centers, biomedical research laboratories, and more, allowing the University of Georgia to directly address the critical health care needs of our state and advance life-saving research efforts.
The new building is just one aspect of the progress that has been made since the School of Medicine was announced last February. In recent months, the Board of Regents approved UGA to grant a Doctor of Medicine degree, and the University submitted its official application for accreditation to the Liaison Committee on Medical Education. These milestones, along with ongoing hiring initiatives geared toward bringing top medical faculty and academic leaders to Athens, highlight the tremendous momentum behind the UGA School of Medicine as we look ahead to its future impact.
Building Our Campus Community for Tomorrow’s Success
All of the achievements mentioned to this point are built upon the foundation of a vibrant campus community that is constantly adapting to the needs of a modern research university. UGA’s reputation as a dynamic leader in higher education is only as strong as our vision for what comes next. As you have likely noticed, improvement of the physical campus continues to be a focal point of these efforts.
The safety and wellbeing of our campus community has remained a consistent priority, demonstrated by significant investments in the past eight years. During that time, UGA invested more than $23 million in the magnification of our ongoing security enhancements. Last year alone, the University dedicated $7.3 million to install perimeter fencing, upgrade lighting, expand the existing security camera network, implement emergency call stations, and place automated license plate readers in strategic locations. But we are not stopping there: I recently approved more than $1.7 million in additional campus safety projects to install even more emergency call stations and security fencing, as well as new software and technology improvements for the UGA Police Department. We are constantly reviewing further initiatives to ensure that we provide a safe and secure campus environment.
UGA’s rising trajectory also has accelerated several capital improvement projects. Last year, we completed Phase 1 of the Science and Ag Hill Modernization Project and quickly began Phase 2. We dedicated the newly renovated Holmes-Hunter Academic Building, which honors the legacy of Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first African American students to attend UGA. We broke ground on a new first-year residence hall and have begun construction on a new dining, learning, and well-being center, as well as a new parking deck. We also opened the new softball training facility, are nearing completion of the major renovations to Foley Field, and have started construction on a new outdoor track and field facility. And, following the completion of renovations in Sanford Stadium, our football team continued to prove why UGA has one of the greatest home field advantages in the country by extending the longest active home winning streak in college football to 31 games in a season that culminated in our 15th SEC football championship.
In addition to the many physical transformations of our campus, we are equally committed to elevating the University of Georgia’s greatest resource—our people. We are continuing to invest in programs and initiatives that create a culture of continuous professional learning, as well as recognition and appreciation programs that celebrate the amazing accomplishments of our faculty and staff. To this end, I am pleased to announce that Human Resources will be developing a revamped Staff Appreciation Day to be held this spring to recognize the hard work and dedication of our staff. I have also asked HR leadership to continue exploring different opportunities to recognize and celebrate our employees for all that they do for the University of Georgia.
Through these various initiatives, we will reaffirm our commitment to fostering a supportive and rewarding workplace that recognizes the invaluable role our faculty and staff play in the University’s ongoing success.
I want to acknowledge that so much of the momentum that we are experiencing as a university is made possible through the strong support we received from the state, as well as the generosity of our dedicated alumni, friends, and many partners. During the previous fiscal year, we raised more than $275 million in private support and increased our three-year rolling fundraising average to $258 million, both of which represent all-time highs. Because of our loyal donors’ belief in the vital mission of the University of Georgia, we are able to forge ahead with countless initiatives and provide opportunities for the leaders of tomorrow.
Conclusion
To close, let me encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the University of Georgia’s upward trajectory, particularly in the most recent chapter of our storied history. As we conclude, I hope each of you will feel an enormous sense of pride in the remarkable legacy we continue to build together.
I am inspired by the fact that these achievements are a reflection of our shared commitment to an idea that is much larger than any one of us. UGA’s victories are your victories, and they serve as a testament to the unifying nature of our land-grant mission.
At UGA, the relentless pursuit of excellence in support of this mission is the common bond that ties us together and gives us strength: strength to create new fields of knowledge and transform those that already exist; strength to challenge the constraints of what is possible; and strength to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders.
As the world grows more complex, the challenges we face—here in Georgia and around the globe—demand the kind of innovative problem-solving that has become synonymous with UGA and our graduates. While this effort is no small task, I am confident that the University of Georgia will continue to lead the way, fearlessly answering the call as a national leader in public higher education.
At the heart of these efforts is the University of Georgia community. I am incredibly grateful for the continued dedication of our faculty, staff, and students, and for the tremendous support of our alumni and friends. It is an honor to lead this University, knowing that each and every day we are diligently working to improve the lives of our fellow citizens and leave the world better than we found it.
As you look ahead, do so inspired by all that the University of Georgia has accomplished, and let that inspiration drive you forward, confident that an even brighter future awaits our great University.
Thank you all for joining me.