February 28, 2025
I am fortunate to see first-hand the breadth and depth of excellence at the University of Georgia. From exceptional classroom teaching to pioneering research to the impact of our public service, UGA has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the nation’s best public universities. Already this semester, we have seen many examples of UGA’s tremendous trajectory.
For the third year in a row, UGA has been named a top producer of Fulbright students. This distinction highlights the exceptional instruction and wide-ranging experiential learning opportunities the university provides its students. Seventeen UGA students received Fulbright offers for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Two members of our faculty were recently named Regents’ Professors, the highest professorial recognition bestowed by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Andrew Herod, Distinguished Research Professor in the department of geography in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, and M. Stephen Trent, UGA Foundation Distinguished Professor in the department of infectious diseases in the College of Veterinary Medicine, were honored for their innovative and pace-setting research.
UGA’s positive impact on the state of Georgia and its people continues to grow. An annual analysis conducted by economist Michael Adjemian, a professor in the department of agricultural and applied economics in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, shows UGA contributed $8.4 billion to the state’s economy in fiscal year 2024. This new record was powered by growth in the number of degrees conferred at the undergraduate and graduate levels, an increase in externally funded research and the positive effects of UGA’s public service and outreach efforts across the state.
UGA’s impact promises to expand even further in the years ahead as our new School of Medicine takes shape. The school was recently granted candidate status for accreditation by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, a significant step in the accreditation process. In the year since the Board of Regents granted UGA the authorization to establish an independent medical school, we are quickly bringing this vision into focus.
None of these milestones would be possible without our dedicated community of faculty and staff. You make sure our students are supported, you doggedly search for answers to complex questions in our laboratories, and you ensure our university’s resources and expertise benefit the people of our state. I am grateful for all you do.
Sincerely,
