The need for progress in areas of inclusion and racial justice isn’t new. But recently, the urgency to make positive change became more evident. In the wake of senseless acts of violence and hate against Black and Asian American citizens across the country, our campus reflected upon our core values of diversity and inclusion. We recommitted to building a better, stronger UGA—a UGA characterized not only by academic excellence but also by the unity and strength of our community. Now, we are making strides to embody these values on campus, across the state, and beyond.
We are investing in programs that strengthen the learning environment for underrepresented groups.
We are creating scholarships that increase access for a diverse student body.
We are building partnerships to support the Athens community.
Honoring the Groundbreakers
Ring the Bell
As we reflected on the 60th anniversary of desegregation at the University of Georgia, we were reminded of the courage of Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton E. Holmes, the first Black students to enroll at the University in 1961, and of Mary Frances Early, our first Black graduate.
In January, the Black Alumni Leadership Council marked the beginning of the commemoration with a bell-ringing ceremony at the Chapel. Hamilton Holmes, Jr., who graduated from UGA in 1990, was there to represent his father, who died in 1995.
Throughout the spring, we hosted lectures, digital collections, and historical exhibitions to acknowledge the commitment of the UGA alumni who have opened doors for students.
In Feburary, Hunter-Gault joined Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr., for a virtual discussion during the annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture, and Early joined other alumni who broke racial barriers to talk about their experiences.
*Watermark from left: Mary Frances Early, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Hamilton E. HolmesHigher Education Excellence in Diversity Award
7th Consecutive Year
“I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for our institution: the opportunity to learn and grow as a community, to better understand each other, and to build a strong learning environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our work in this area is far from over, but I want to assure all of you that we are making progress"
President Jere W. Morehead
Our Commitments
President Morehead established the Task Force on Race, Ethnicity, and Community in August 2020 to develop concrete ways to strengthen the learning environment for Black and other underrepresented members of the University community. Later, he committed $1 million in private funds from the UGA Athletic Association to implement 16 initiatives recommended by the Task Force.
Here are some of the steps we have taken:
- Reestablishing the recruitment program Padres e Hijos (Parents and Students) to reach and enroll more Latinx and Hispanic students
- Installing campus markers on the West Lawn of the Tate Student Center to recognize historically Black fraternities and sororities
- Establishing the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Advisory Board to include student voices in this conversation
- Hiring a diversity educator to meet the growing demand for our popular Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion program for faculty and staff
- Partnering with Chess & Community to expand Pawn Accelerator, a program that teaches Athens middle and high school students skills in robotics, 3D printing, and design thinking
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Supporting a More Inclusive Campus
Students from underrepresented, first-generation, rural, and other underserved groups often face financial obstacles to completing their degrees. To support these students, donors have helped establish scholarship programs across campus.
- The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ Rural Scholars Program recognizes first-year CAES students from Georgia’s rural communities who have excelled academically, demonstrated leadership abilities, and are committed to community service.
- Each year, the program awards two to four students $7,000 scholarships, renewable throughout their undergraduate careers. It also offers staff support and additional programming, such as Thrive at Georgia, a four-week residential program that connects participants to the University’s networks and vast learning opportunities.
- The Georgia Commitment Scholarship Program, a need-based scholarship fundraising effort, has raised more than $90 million and created 600 need-based scholarships.
- In 2020, Josh Brooks, the newly named J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics, pledged $100,000 for a Georgia Commitment Scholarship that supports students from Athens-Clarke County.