April 30, 2025
With our spring Commencement ceremonies approaching, this is an exciting time on the University of Georgia campus. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to our 2025 graduates on reaching this milestone, and I wish them all the best as they embark on the next chapter of their journeys. I also want to thank you, the incredible faculty and staff of our great university, for your inspiring commitment to the success of our students.
Thanks to data-informed and targeted programs designed to elevate instruction and the student experience, UGA now boasts an impressive 90% six-year graduation rate. We are one of only nine public universities in the U.S. to accomplish this feat. Again, much of the credit for our students’ success belongs to our outstanding faculty and staff.
UGA students continue to achieve at the highest levels year after year. Just last week, we were proud to announce that Mercedes “Sadie” Bengs is one of 54 undergraduates from 49 colleges and universities across the nation to be selected as a 2025 Truman Scholar. This prestigious award is given each year to students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential and commitment to a career in government or the nonprofit sector. Sadie joins our 2025 Goldwater Scholars
, Oscar de la Torre, Anderson Smith and Sloka Sudhin, as shining examples of the amazing students that call the University of Georgia home. Since 1995, 70 UGA students have received the Goldwater Scholarship, the highest undergraduate award of its type for sophomores and juniors in the fields of mathematics, engineering and natural sciences.
More than 700 undergraduate students presented their research at the 26th annual CURO Symposium on April 7 and 8 at the Classic Center in downtown Athens. Hosted by the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities, the symposium featured students pursuing 200 different majors. Collectively, they are conducting research with 332 faculty members in 98 departments. It is inspiring to see the continued growth in undergraduate research at UGA.
Our 2025 Honors Week, held March 31 to April 4, was a tremendous opportunity to highlight the excellence of the university’s students, faculty, staff and alumni. Campuswide Honors Week ceremonies included the Faculty Recognition Banquet, the 34th annual Public Service and Outreach Meeting and Awards Luncheon, the Graduate School Honors Luncheon, the Presidential Honors Week Luncheon, the Morehead Honors College Graduation Banquet, the Research Awards Banquet and the Alumni Awards Luncheon.
Earlier this week, I had the privilege of hosting our annual Promotion and Tenure Recognition Reception. This year, the university approved the promotion of 215 faculty members and conferred tenure to 60 faculty members. Promotion and tenure are significant accomplishments that reflect the high value that colleagues and the university place on our faculty’s teaching, research and service.
Our Spring 2025 Staff Appreciation Celebration is scheduled for May 12 at Stegeman Coliseum. The drop-in lunch is an opportunity for the university to thank its dedicated and talented staff for their contributions to another outstanding academic year. Please RSVP for the event at this link.
As we come to the close of the academic year, I thank you for your dedication to our university and I wish you a restful and enjoyable summer.
Sincerely,
