November 14, 2024
by Jere W. Morehead, President
Research is integral to the University of Georgia’s mission, and our research enterprise is on an incredible trajectory. Since 2013, R&D expenditures at UGA have grown by 63% to a record $571 million in FY23. Preliminary data indicate that research expenditures in FY24 reached even higher. Increasing the number of endowed faculty positions at UGA has been a large part of this success.
Endowed positions allow us to recruit and retain world-class faculty members who drive innovation and set the standard for excellence in their fields. I am grateful for the loyal support and exceptional generosity of our alumni and friends who have helped us grow the number of endowed positions on our campus. These outstanding donors have created 157 chairs and professorships since July 2013, bringing the total number of endowed faculty positions at UGA to 379 and helping us solidify our place among the nation’s top public research universities.
Among our key supporters is the Georgia Research Alliance, a nonprofit that fosters cross-university collaboration and helps Georgia’s research universities attract funding, make discoveries, create workforce opportunities, and improve lives. This fall, we were excited to welcome three new GRA Eminent Scholars to the University of Georgia, bringing our institution’s current total to 19. These internationally renowned scientists strengthen UGA’s research enterprise and spur economic development by translating their discoveries into commercial products.
From increasing the sustainability of crops to developing better treatments for cancer, we are increasing the University of Georgia’s positive impact on the world with every endowed faculty position.