October 30, 2024
There has been much to celebrate at the University of Georgia in the past month. The university’s final fall enrollment numbers rang in at 43,146 across all campuses. This 3.6% total enrollment increase from last year coincided with higher enrollment numbers for transfer and graduate students. Graduation rates are also up, in particular for transfer students, Pell recipients and first-generation students.
Alongside growing enrollment, the university is expanding its state-of-the-art facilities. This month, we held a dedication ceremony for the newly renovated Holmes-Hunter Academic Building. Named in honor of the first African American students to attend UGA, this building is a symbol of the university’s ongoing commitment to creating spaces where every student can pursue excellence.
A recent report estimates that UGA’s new School of Medicine is expected to generate a substantial economic impact on the state of Georgia of up to $2.3 billion by 2040. This outstanding return on investment will be possible through the improved health care access, expanded research capabilities and job creation that come with the new school.
UGA’s reputation as a world-class public university is strengthened by our prestigious faculty. I had the pleasure of congratulating more than 200 distinguished UGA faculty members for their outstanding scholarship and research at the inaugural External Awards and Honors Recognition Reception.
This next month is a chance to highlight the university’s excellence in arts education, programming and research. Throughout November, the 13th annual Spotlight on the Arts festival will feature more than 50 events and exhibitions centering the visual, literary and performing arts on campus. Arts and humanities are a pivotal part of UGA’s longstanding tradition of top value public education.
May we continue to support UGA’s mission by inspiring leadership, fueling discovery and advancing service.
Sincerely,
