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Vol. 52, No. 25
February 3, 2025
T H E R E L E N T L E S S P U R S UI T O F E X CE L L E N CE
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hank you for joining me for the 2025 State of the University Address — a moment to reflect on the enduring legacy of excellence that defines the University of Georgia and the new heights we aim to reach in the years ahead. This University has existed for 240 years as a symbol of optimism, strength, and prosperity for the state of Georgia and its people. Guided by our land-grant and sea-grant mission, the University of Georgia has been educating future leaders, researching solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges, and serving communities throughout the state for nearly as long as our nation has existed. As the birthplace of public higher education in America, the University’s storied history is filled with chapter after chapter of achievements. UGA has consistently positioned itself on the cutting edge of public research institutions, producing groundbreaking innovations in health care and science and emerging as a global leader in business and law. But we are not content to rest. As Bulldogs, we are tenacious and remain committed to reaching higher and accomplishing even more. Now, more than ever, we are dedicated to forging new opportunities that will create positive change for our state and its citizens. This shared purpose — our relentless pursuit of excellence — forms the very foundation upon which our success as an institution is built. And that purpose is why we continue to celebrate countless achievements, while never losing sight of our bold aspirations for the future. During this address, I plan to showcase the University of Georgia’s leadership in tackling grand challenges through novel research and strategic partnerships; to emphasize our unwavering commitment to student success; and to reinforce the University’s devotion to serving the public good. Together, guided by our mission, propelled by a groundswell of momentum, and inspired by boundless possibilities ahead, we are boldly writing the next chapter of the University of Georgia. As we look toward the future, I invite you to embrace this moment and join in these efforts to continue transforming our University, where excellence is not just a goal but a guiding principle that shapes everything we do. In the years to come, we will continue to innovate, to lead, and to serve, inspiring lasting progress not only for our campus, but for communities across Georgia, throughout the nation, and around the world.
L E A DE R S HIP T H R O U GH GR O U N DB R E A K IN G R E S E A R CH
As one of the nation’s top public research institutions, the University of Georgia has established itself as a leader in the generation of new knowledge, thanks in large part to the efforts and expertise of our faculty. Their work culminated in another record-setting year for UGA’s research enterprise, during which the University’s total R&D expenditures reached an all-time high of $628 million. This represents a 10 percent increase from the previous
delivered by
President Jere W. Morehead January 29, 2025 sotu.uga.edu universit y of georgia “UGA has consistently positioned itself on the cutting edge of public research institutions, producing groundbreaking innovations in health care and science and emerging as a global leader in business and law. But we are not content to rest. As Bulldogs, we are tenacious and remain committed to reaching higher and accomplishing even more. Now, more than ever, we are dedicated to forging new opportunities that will create positive change for our state and its citizens.”
— pr esiden t j er e w. mor eh e a d year’s total and an incredible 77 percent increase over the past decade. Fueled by growth in sponsored research from the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense,
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National Institutes of Health, and numerous other sources, the University of Georgia continues to explore solutions for the world’s greatest challenges. Given UGA’s flourishing research pipeline, it is no surprise that our faculty continue to receive national recognition as leaders in their fields. In the past decade, UGA faculty celebrated countless achievements, including being honored with highly prestigious national awards, contributing to tens of thousands of citations in top academic journals, and publishing nearly 800 books across many disciplines. Last year alone, UGA conferred an impressive 598 doctoral degrees. These accomplishments underscore our faculty’s commitment to advancing knowledge and shaping a brighter future through their groundbreaking work, while elevating UGA’s reputation as a leader in research. UGA faculty have excelled at translating their high-level research into practical solutions, with the University once again being ranked number one in the nation for commercial products brought to the market. From innovations in drug development technology to enhanced crop varieties, the scope and impact of UGA’s research continues to expand. To push these efforts even further, I recently authorized an expanded Faculty Innovation Fellows program to broaden the reach of the Innovation District by equipping highly qualified faculty ambassadors within our academic units. These fellows will foster a culture of innovation, connect colleagues to entrepreneurial resources, and align academic goals with additional opportunities. A two-year pilot program is planned, targeting five fellows in the first year and increasing to 10 by year two. Our achievements in research — and our goals for pushing further — represent something even greater: the University’s commitment to elevating the human condition. Nothing showcases this commitment more than the recent Presidential Hiring Initiatives that have added 97 renowned scholars since 2020 in fields of strategic emphasis such as Brain and Behavioral Health, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Electric Mobility, and Integrative Precision Agriculture. This academic year, we also welcomed the University’s three newest Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholars, bringing our current total to 19. Their expertise in the areas of molecular cell biology, synthetic biology, and molecular medicine will accelerate discovery in the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the School of Medicine. Thanks to our loyal donors, we also have increased the number of endowed chairs and professorships from 229 in 2014 to 380 a decade later. A world-class faculty is the driving force behind any successful research university, and I look forward to seeing their collective expertise continue to redefine the boundaries of what is possible. The University’s support for research does not stop with our faculty. Attracting and retaining highly talented graduate students also plays a vital role in UGA’s success across all three areas of our land-grant mission. In the CONTINUED on page 2