Letter from the President

The past year will be remembered by the UGA community not only for its daunting challenges but also for how it revealed the character of our great University. In the face of unprecedented obstacles stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, our faculty, staff, and students exhibited remarkable determination, fulfilling UGA’s mission while working together to build a better institution for the future. Every step of the way, our alumni and friends helped us provide a world-class learning environment while propelling the institution to record achievements.

In the pages that follow, you will read of UGA’s extraordinary efforts to resume operations and safeguard the well-being of our campus and other communities. Whether launching robust surveillance testing and vaccination campaigns or supporting small businesses and community educators, our commitment to serve was unwavering. Faculty transformed courses to provide safe learning experiences; staff strove tirelessly to keep the campus healthy; and alumni and friends helped students confronting hardships related to the pandemic.

Working together, we also strengthened our commitment to diversity and inclusion. The Presidential Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community developed recommendations to enhance the University’s culture and learning environment, and most of its proposals are already benefiting our community. In addition, the Planning Committee on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence crafted a plan to further elevate diversity and inclusion over the next five years. As these efforts were undertaken, our community commemorated the 60th anniversary of the University of Georgia’s desegregation.

Metrics related to our research enterprise and learning environment reached record levels, too, while faculty and students secured an array of prestigious awards. Research expenditures reached an all-time high, and we were once again recognized as the top university for commercializing discoveries via industry partners. Meanwhile, new and renovated facilities such as the I-STEM research complex and the Innovation Hub will accelerate our capacity to expand knowledge and economic opportunity in the future.

I am honored to present this year’s annual report, and I thank you for helping to make these many achievements possible. I have never been prouder to serve as President of the University of Georgia.

Sincerely,

Jere W. Morehead