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Capital projects bring improvements to campus. Read more on Page 3.
UGA students earn some of the nation’s highest academic honors. Read more on Page 2. Vol. 53, No. 4
August 11, 2025
BACKTOCAMPUS
columns.uga.edu
Progress continues on School of Medicine
Andrew Davis Tucker
Students celebrate Commencement in Sanford Stadium in May 2025.
Pursuit of excellence
UGA donors contribute record $300.4M in private support By Elizabeth Elmore eelmore@uga.edu
More than 72,460 University of Georgia supporters contributed a record $300.4 million to the university during the fiscal year that ended June 30 (FY25). This is the first time university fundraising has surpassed $300 million. Gifts were directed to enhance key university initiatives, including student scholarships, faculty and graduate student support and the university’s new School of Medicine. During the 2024-2025 academic year, privately funded scholarships supported more than 9,500 students,
and during FY25, donors helped to reach 391 total endowed chairs and professorships. Donors included alumni, students, parents, UGA employees and retirees, corporate and private foundations and other members of the community. “As we continue to innovate and make progress on important initiatives at the University of Georgia, I am incredibly grateful to our donors for all they do to fuel our ongoing pursuit of excellence,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am energized by our loyal alumni and friends and their ongoing confidence in our mission, and I look forward to all that we will
accomplish together in the years ahead.” This past year’s unprecedented level of private support continues a trend of elevated giving that has driven the three-year rolling average to $272.8 million, the highest ever achieved by the state’s flagship university.It also marks the third time in UGA history that total fundraising was more than $250 million. “The university community has stepped up like never before,” said Jill S. Walton, vice president for development and alumni relations and executive director of the UGA Foundation. “As we celebrate See DONORS on page 4
AUXILIARY SERVICES
Enhancements made to parking, transit, dining
By Rebecca Vander Plaats rebeccavp@uga.edu
Auxiliary Services has made enhancements to services throughout campus to help make the 2025-2026 academic year the best yet for students, faculty, staff and visitors at the University of Georgia. Over 1,800 new parking spaces have been added to campus, while passengers will see new bus routes and route names as well as increased service to park-and-ride lots. Diners on campus will enjoy increased variety and greater convenience thanks to expanded franchise partnerships across campus and an autonomous market at the Tate Student Center. The UGA Bookstore received a full makeover this summer, which has updated its look and made See PARKING on page 4
In February 2024, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia authorized the University of Georgia to establish a new School of Medicine — and UGA has moved quickly to turn that vision into reality, accelerating the launch of a school that will play a vital role in addressing the state’s health care needs. In mid-September, a team from the accrediting body for medical schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, will conduct a site visit. This critical step in the approval process comes after the LCME granted the School of Medicine candidate status in February of this year, recognizing the significant progress UGA has made toward meeting its rigorous standards for full accreditation. When the LCME team arrives,
they will see construction of the new Medical Education and Research Building well underway. The 93,600-square-foot facility will house state-of-the-art research laboratories, a simulation and clinical skills center, an anatomy lab, active-learning classrooms, student support areas and a dedicated medical library. The $100-million building has been fully funded through a match of state and private funds. Dr. Shelley Nuss, dean of the School of Medicine, continues to build out the school’s faculty and leadership team. A key hire was made last fall when Dr. Erica Brownfield was appointed senior associate dean for academic affairs. Formerly the associate dean of medical education at Emory University, Brownfield oversees See MEDICINE on page 3
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
Administrators, deans join UGA Several new administrators and deans have been named at the University of Georgia in the last year, including the following:
Benjamin C. Ayers
Benjamin C. Ayers has been named the University of Georgia’s senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Ayers, who holds the Earl Davis Chair in Taxation, served as dean of the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business since 2014. He became UGA’s chief academic officer on June 30 and succeeded S. Jack Hu, who was appointed chancellor of the University of California, Riverside. Under Ayers’ leadership, the
Terry College has achieved historic success, endowing four academic units while launching a highly competitive online Benjamin C. Ayres MBA, a master’s in business analytics, a campus-wide Entrepreneurship Program, popular executive and dual degree programs, and market-driven certificates. Over the past decade, the college’s undergraduate enrollment has grown by 40%, graduate enrollment has risen 64%, and the college has achieved
See ADMINISTRATORS on page 4
OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION
Comprehensive Learner Record connects experiences to career path By Heather Skyler
heatherskyler@uga.edu
Andrew Davis Tucker
From left, Director of Transportation and Parking Services Todd Berven, Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services Brett Jackson, former SGA President Rock Rogers, UGA President Jere W. Morehead and Associate Vice President and University Architect Gwynne Darden mark the opening of West Campus Parking Deck II.
In today’s fast-changing workforce, employers are looking beyond grades and résumés to find candidates who can think critically, lead teams and solve complex problems. Now, the University of Georgia is giving students a new way to showcase exactly those skills. This fall, UGA will officially launch its Comprehensive Learner Record — an innovative digital credential designed to capture a student’s full range of learning experiences, from academic courses to leadership
roles and hands-on projects. Unlike a transcript, the CLR presents a holistic, validated record of the skills that matter most in the modern job market — skills such as analytical thinking, communication, leadership and creativity. “Students at the University of Georgia are already building important skills through their classes and activities. By helping students recognize and articulate what they’ve learned,we’re not just enriching their education — we’re giving them a powerful advantage in the job market. This credential helps them tell a See CLR on page 4