Periodicals Postage is PAID in Athens, Georgia
Marketing & Communications University of Georgia 286 Oconee Street Suite 200 North Athens, GA 30602-1999
Renovations at Legion Field are nearing completion. Read more on page 3.
Read more about what the new Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center offers on page 2. Vol. 54, No. 5
August 17, 2026
columns.uga.edu
BACK TOCAMPUS
Presidential hiring initiative to expand research, instruction
The 2025-2026 academic year was marked by important firsts for the University of Georgia.
Andrew Davis Tucker
Continued excellence UGA celebrates historic 2025-2026 academic year
The 2025-2026 academic year will almost certainly go down as one of the most significant in the history of the University of Georgia. It was a year marked by important firsts as well as continued excellence from all corners of the university. “The University of Georgia is on a remarkable trajectory thanks to the tireless efforts of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “As we celebrate a year defined by outstanding achievements and look ahead to a future filled with promise, I encourage everyone to reflect on the tremendous impact we are making as a university community.
I am grateful to each of you for your continued support of our vital land-grant and sea-grant mission.”
Continued excellence
There was much to celebrate across the university during this academic year. For the 10th consecutive year, UGA placed in the top 20 among the nation’s best public universities, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings. UGA and Georgia Tech were the only two Georgia institutions in the top 20, making Georgia and California the only two states with multiple universities ranked in that tier. In the 2025 Princeton Review
best colleges list, UGA ranked No. 12 among the top 50 best value public universities, reflecting its strong combination of educational achievements and return on investment. For the first time in its history, the university hit $654 million in research and development expenditures, representing a 4.1% increase over the previous year. Since 2015, UGA’s R&D activity has grown by 75%. Given this extraordinary growth, it is no coincidence that UGA once again ranked No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products brought to market See EXCELLENCE on page 4
DIVISION OF FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Spaces open, building projects reach milestones
From residence halls and dining commons to research labs and campus landscapes, the University of Georgia continues to invest in spaces that support learning, living and community engagement. This fall, several new buildings open their doors while other capital projects move closer to completion.
Dining, Learning, and Wellbeing Center
The Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center officially opened this fall following its Aug. 6 dedication ceremony. Located at East Cloverhurst Avenue and University Court, the three-story building brings together dining, academics, health and well-being in a first-ofits-kind space for the university. The first floor houses active learning classrooms, collaborative study rooms and a well-being center
offering medical care, well-being coaching and mental health support. Hillside Dining Commons occupies the second and third floors and is expected to serve between 8,000 and 10,000 customers daily. The building also features a nutrition kitchen where students can take cooking classes, learn new recipes and explore the relationships between food, health and well-being. Designed to support hands-on learning through partnerships across the university, the space builds on UGA’s longstanding commitment to experiential learning.
First-Year Student Residence Hall, Building 2266
Also dedicated Aug. 6, the new First-Year Student Residence Hall, Building 2266, opened its doors this fall semester. Located at the corner of South Lumpkin Street and West
Wray Street, the six-and-a-half-story building houses 565 students in double-occupancy rooms that include modular furniture, large windows and individual temperature controls. Residents have access to shared study lounges, gathering spaces, privacyenhanced community bathrooms and an outdoor courtyard. Building 2266 is also the new home of Launch Pad, an entrepreneurial living-learning community previously located in Creswell Hall.
School of Medicine
Construction continues on the School of Medicine building at the Health Sciences Campus, where work remains on schedule for dedication in December 2026. Following the topping-out ceremony last November, the building has taken shape both inside and out. See BUILDINGS on page 4
University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead announced that resources have been set aside for the 2026-2027 Presidential Faculty Hiring Initiative. The initiative focuses on strategic faculty hires that strengthen the university’s research enterprise while also expanding instructional capacity to meet growing student demand. Proposals will be selected based on their potential to advance the university’s strategic priorities. In total, the initiative will support the recruitment of up to 34 new faculty members across two funding tracks. The research priority track will focus on recruiting faculty whose work aligns with key areas
of research emphasis, including artificial intelligence-enabled agriculture, food systems and robotics; One Health, infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance and precision population health; and energy, materials, bioeconomy and advanced manufacturing. Up to 24 positions are available in the research priority track. The instructional priority track targets non-tenure track, full-time faculty. This portion of the initiative is intended to grow the total faculty ranks serving undergraduate and graduate students. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening undergraduate instruction in gateway science courses that
See HIRING on page 3
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, IVESTER SCHOOL OF NURSING
New schools help address healthcare needs across state The University of Georgia announced in February 2024 that the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia authorized the establishment of a School of Medicine at UGA. Since that announcement, teams across the university worked tirelessly to prepare the new school to serve the state’s healthcare needs. Just two years later, in February 2026, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education granted preliminary accreditation, allowing the school to recruit and admit its inaugural class. By April, the School of Medicine had extended admission offers to prospective students amid incredible demand. More than 2,000
applications were submitted during a condensed two-week admissions cycle, and school officials interviewed 235 prospective students. The School of Medicine extended admission offers to 64 prospective students for its inaugural class. Students were offered admission to the historic first class with personal phone calls from Dean Shelley Nuss, who congratulated them on their acceptance. The School of Medicine is now the second public medical school in the state. Its 93,000-squarefoot medical education and research building is scheduled to
See SCHOOLS on page 2
DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS
Donors fuel another historic year of giving and impact to university By Rachael Andrews
rachael.andrews25@uga.edu
Support from the University of Georgia’s alumni, parents and friends reached new heights in fiscal year 2026, with 69,789 donors contributing $324.4 million in private support to elevate student success, faculty excellence and university initiatives. Gifts from across Bulldog Nation continue to advance UGA’s mission as the state’s flagship university, directing resources to scholarships, academic programs, research, faculty support and facilities that benefit communities throughout Georgia.
“Private support is essential to the University of Georgia’s ability to serve our state and prepare the next generation of leaders, and we are deeply grateful to all of our loyal alumni and friends who continue to propel our institution forward,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Because of their generosity, donors are expanding opportunities for students, elevating research excellence and strengthening our impact across Georgia and beyond.” During the academic year, privately funded scholarships supported 10,050 students, expanding access See DONORS on page 4
2 Aug. 17, 2026 columns.uga.edu STRATEGIC PLAN
University of Georgia unveils new five-year strategic plan Building on the success of its previous strategic plan, which helped solidify the University of Georgia’s reputation as one of the nation’s best public institutions of higher education, the university has released “Forward Together: The 2031 Strategic Plan.” The plan charts a clear path for UGA over the next five years, leveraging the university’s tremendous momentum to reach new heights of excellence. It was developed throughout the 2025-2026 academic year with input from faculty, staff, students, alumni and stakeholders throughout the state. The plan is guided by three strategic imperatives:
advance and strengthen instructional excellence and student success; accelerate and expand research and innovation that improves society; and deepen UGA’s commitment to serving communities across Georgia and beyond. “These imperatives honor our vital land-grant and sea-grant mission, connecting the University of Georgia’s history of transformational impact to a future full of even greater possibilities for our institution,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “I want to thank all of the members of the UGA community for your participation and input during the strategic planning process and for your continued dedication to this great university.”
With the institutional strategic plan now in place, the university will enter the next phase of implementation, with schools, colleges and major administrative units playing a critical role in translating institutional priorities into actionable goals that reflect their respective missions and contexts. “At the heart of each record-breaking achievement or institutional accomplishment are the people who make UGA such a special place,” Morehead said. “I am excited to embark on the University of Georgia’s next great chapter alongside you, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the years to come.”
Serving the university
Improvements made to UGA dining, parking, transit By Rebecca Vander Plaats
will be able to use the Transact mobile app to order ahead from FujiSan and Baddie’s, and both will accept Paw Points.
rebeccavp@uga.edu
University of Georgia Auxiliary Services has announced several updates that will enhance dining, parking and transportation on campus this fall. “We’re always looking for ways to improve service and better meet the needs of our students, faculty and staff,” said Brett Jackson, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services. “Each new academic year brings opportunities to build on past experience and enhance our services, whether it’s the bookstore, the golf course, dining, vending, parking or transportation.” Among the changes for 2026-2027 are the opening of a new dining commons, additional parking spaces and improvements to bus routes and bus stops.
Hillside Dining Commons and nutrition kitchen
Perhaps the most exciting development in campus dining is Hillside Dining Commons, which opened to the public on Aug. 14 in the new Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center. The two-story, light-filled space includes outdoor seating that overlooks the redesigned Legion Field. The menu at Hillside features locally and globally inspired dishes that are both healthy and delicious. Dining Services’ culinary and nutrition teams tested 400 recipes and received input from Student Government Association members and Auxiliary Services student partners to develop the menu. Dining Services and the University Health Center will lead cooking classes for students in the state-of-the-art nutrition
Catering through campus restaurants
More retail dining locations than ever will offer catering to the UGA community. Customers can order a wide variety of foods and beverages from Barberitos, Blenz Bowls, Chickfil-A, Dunkin’, Einstein Bros. Bagels, FujiSan, Jittery Joe’s, Panda Express and Starbucks for events on campus or nearby.
Parking spaces added and renewed Auxiliary Services
The Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center, which includes the Hillside Dining Commons, opened earlier this month.
kitchen on the first floor of the Dining, Learning, and Wellbeing Center. The nutrition kitchen features six cooking stations complete with prep space, sinks and vented ranges.
Additions to Tate Student Center dining
New dining options are coming to the Tate Student Center as well. FujiSan, which offers sushi, poke bowls, bubble tea and more, is now located across from the movie theater. It moved from its former spot in Joe Frank Harris Commons. Later this fall, Baddie’s Burger House, a local restaurant chain founded by UGA alumnus Joe Nedza, will open in the Tate Center’s Bulldog Café. Baddie’s will feature smash burgers, hand-cut fries and homemade pudding. Customers
Transportation and Parking Services added 85 parking spaces in lot N14 on East Campus Road across from Hooper Street for the new academic year. They also renewed the lease for lot W17 at the corner of Broad Street and Hull Street, the former location of the Holiday Inn, through December.
Adjustments to bus routes and bus stops
Four bus routes were adjusted (B – Main Campus, M – Milledge, L – East Side Limited and V – Vet Med) to improve transportation throughout campus.The adjustments took effect June 4 and were developed in coordination with the Student Government Association in response to student feedback and operational data.The adjustments include higher bus frequency, longer routes that serve more destinations and greater connectivity between commuter parking lots and main campus. Enhancements also were made to the bus stops at the Tate Student Center and Memorial Hall to improve passenger experience and safety.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Safety enhancements help protect pedestrians across UGA’s campus When UGA students set foot on campus to begin the fall semester, they will see a series of improvements to promote pedestrian safety across the university. These improvements, the latest in a multi-year initiative, include better lighting, new crosswalks and additional engineering features at campus intersections with heavy foot traffic, said P. Daniel Silk, the university’s associate vice president for public safety. “On any given day during the academic year, tens of thousands of UGA students, faculty and staff are walking across our campus to work and study,” Silk said. “There is no higher priority than protecting these pedestrians as they negotiate with the heavy volume of vehicles that crisscross the campus each day.” UGA averages more than 44,000 drivers on campus daily, according to the Watch for Dawgs program, which equips members of the university community with the information and tools they need to safely navigate campus. Some of the most visible changes took place this summer along one of the busiest streets on campus — the heavily traveled stretch of Sanford Drive. The university has added a new pedestrian table, or raised walkway, between the Tate Student Center and Memorial Hall. This will slow vehicle movement and make it easier for motorists to see pedestrians. UGA also has worked with Athens-Clarke County to enhance pedestrian safety on Baldwin Street. The new design promotes pedestrian crossings at intersections controlled by traffic lights. Additional bollards, or black metal barricades, are being installed on the corners of campus intersections with
PERIODICALS POSTAGE STATEMENT Columns (USPS 020-024) is published digitally each week during the
academic year and biweekly during the summer, along with special printed editions like this one, by the Division of Marketing & Communications. Periodicals postage is paid in Athens, Georgia. Postmaster: Send offcampus address changes to Columns, UGA Marketing & Communications, 286 Oconee Street, Suite 200 North, Athens, GA 30602-1999.
high levels of foot traffic. These bollards are designed to protect pedestrians from automobiles. The university is also working with Athens-Clarke County to improve traffic signaling and realign vehicle lanes at the intersection of River Road and College Station Road. Extensions to the existing sidewalks are also planned at the Intramural Fields. In recent years, the university and the county have collaborated on additional safety improvements at heavily traveled intersections, including enhanced lighting along East Campus Road and upgraded traffic lights at College Station Road near the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Further enhancements to pedestrian safety include: • Converting the dormant rail bed between Mitchell Street and East Broad Street into a walkway. • Lighting upgrades for nighttime pedestrian movement at Cedar Street and East Campus Road, similar to earlier improvements at Sanford and Cedar. Student leaders support these changes. “What’s been really clear to me is that students across campus care about safety, both during the day and at night. I’ve heard consistently from students about the need for better lighting, safer crossings and more visibility,” said Verner “Trey” Wilson, Student Government Association president. “It’s encouraging to see UGA stepping up with these improvements and prioritizing a campus that’s both walkable and accessible. But we need students to stay engaged in this work. These infrastructure changes only matter if we all take responsibility for our own safety and look out for each other.” Along with encouraging drivers to avoid distractions and always Watch for Dawgs, UGA leaders urge members of the university community to be aware of their surroundings at all times as they walk across campus. “Many of the most effective pedestrian safety tips are simple but important,” said Michelle Cook, vice president for student affairs.“Use crosswalks whenever they’re available, and focus on actively looking for potential traffic hazards. If you are wearing
earbuds, please consider using only one to increase your awareness. We all need to watch out for one another.” UGA’s Office of Public Safety has launched a new web page devoted to traffic and pedestrian safety. The Office of Public Safety also has been collaborating with faculty and students in the College of Engineering, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, the College of Public Health and the College of Environment and Design on multiple projects aimed at analyzing traffic patterns throughout the university and enhancing communications that promote pedestrian safety. This includes a new $630,000 federal grant to develop a 10-year transportation infrastructure safety plan across UGA’s Athens campus.
SCHOOLS
from page 1 be completed this December, due in large part to the continued support of the governor and the General Assembly. In August 2025, the university announced that it was moving forward with a new School of Nursing following a request from the Board of Regents to develop a comprehensive plan for the school’s development. In April 2026, the university announced that the new school would be named in honor of Victoria Kay Ivester. The announcement was made at a private ceremony, during which Melvin Douglas “Doug” Ivester surprised his wife, Kay, with the naming. The naming recognizes gifts from Doug Ivester and the Ivester Foundation that will create a $20.5 million endowment to benefit the Victoria Kay Ivester School of Nursing. Georgia currently ranks 39th nationally in physicians per capita and 41st in public medical students per capita. In addition, the state is facing a critical nursing workforce shortage, with a projected 21% shortfall in registered nurses by 2035. Both the School of Medicine and the Ivester School of Nursing are positioned to address these healthcare needs.
columns.uga.edu Aug. 17, 2026
Recreation renovation
3
Legion Field improvements provide recreation options for students Students returning to campus will soon be able to enjoy more recreation options at the redeveloped Legion Field. As construction efforts are completed, Legion Field will be transformed into an improved outdoor gathering and recreation area that roughly doubles the usable space while embracing the site’s natural slope. It will include terraced and hillside seating for up to 1,100 people, plus standing capacity for an additional 3,500, along with Wi-Fi capability to support flexible student use for events. Additionally, crews are installing four sand volleyball courts for student use. The revitalized Legion Field area will serve as a backyard gathering space for thousands of students living nearby and as a central destination for key student events and programming throughout the year. One of the first events will take place during Homecoming Week. Hosted by University Union at Legion Field, the 2026 Homecoming Concert will be headlined by Penelope Road. Based out of Atlanta, Penelope Road is a five-piece group blending ’70s rock, funk and soul into their signature sound. The concert is scheduled for Sept. 29 with the show beginning at 8 p.m.
Chamberlain Smith
Crews are nearing the completion of renovations at Legion Field.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES
New administrators, deans welcomed at the University of Georgia
Several new administrators and deans were named at the University of Georgia over the summer, including the following:
Ron R. Walcott
Ron R.Walcott, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School,has been named interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. He succeeds Benjamin C. Ayers, who was recently appointed president of Clemson University. As vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, Walcott has led efforts to significantly strengthen Ron R. Walcott graduate education. Since assuming the role in 2020, graduate enrollment has increased by more than 20%, while the total number of scholarships and fellowships that support graduate students has grown by more than 80% — an increase of almost 1,000 awards. Since 2023, private giving for graduate and professional education has eclipsed $52 million. During his tenure, Walcott has spearheaded the creation of several initiatives designed to elevate graduate student development and well-being. Walcott also played a key role in furthering strategic initiatives that enhance UGA’s research enterprise, including leading efforts to recruit and retain outstanding graduate students and enhance the professional development of postdoctoral fellows.
Ilir Hasko
Ilir Hasko has been appointed interim vice president for information technology, effective Aug. 1. He succeeds Timothy Chester, who was recently named vice president for information technology and chief information officer at Auburn University. Hasko previously served as deputy chief information officer and chief technology officer. Ilir Hasko He has led major initiatives to enhance the student digital experience, modernize enterprise system architecture and strengthen UGA’s data management strategy through improved tools, practices and governance. He is also advancing the university’s exploration of artificial intelligence.
Jules Bruck
Jules Bruck has been appointed dean of the College of Environment and Design. Bruck, a nationally recognized leader in landscape architecture and a pioneer in nature‑based coastal resilience, served as director of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning and as chair and professor in the department of landscape architecture at the University of Florida. Jules Bruck Previously, Bruck was the founding director of the landscape architecture program at the University of Delaware, which she established in 2016.
Anne Shaffer
Anne Shaffer was appointed interim dean of the Graduate School, effective Aug. 1. Shaffer has served in the Graduate School since 2021, first as associate dean and as senior associate dean since 2026. As senior associate dean, Shaffer has played a key role in advancing graduate student success, professional development and institutional effectiveness. Anne Shaffer She led the creation of GradFIRST, a required onboarding seminar for incoming graduate students; developed the UGA Graduate Mentoring Certificate program for faculty mentors; established the GradUP graduate competency model; and helped strengthen Graduate School policies, communications and student support services. A member of the UGA faculty since 2008, Shaffer is a licensed clinical psychologist and professor.
Paula Lemons
Paula Lemons, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and senior associate dean for academic innovation in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, has been named associate provost for faculty affairs. Lemons will lead the Office of Faculty Affairs and work closely with campus leaders on faculty‑related policies, processes and records. She will also oversee Paula Lemons professional development programming supporting faculty across their academic careers.
Henry Young
Henry Young, Kroger Professor and department head of clinical and administrative pharmacy in the College of Pharmacy, has been appointed vice provost in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Young will oversee the Office of Academic and Community Engagement, lead faculty and staff development initiatives and advance programs that strengthen Henry Young campus engagement and contribute to the university’s health and medicine initiatives. Young also will oversee the university’s portfolio of signature lectures and events. Additionally, he will chair the Electric Mobility Executive Council, oversee State of the Art Conference Grants and direct the Study in a Second Discipline initiative.
HIRING from page 1
support pre-health and nursing pathways. Up to 10 positions are available in the instructional priority track. Units with successful proposals will be notified in the coming weeks. Selected faculty will be expected to join the
Nathan Moore
Nathan Moore has been named chief of staff in the Office of the President. Moore succeeds Kathy R. Pharr, who stepped down as chief of staff after 13 years of service in the position and six in the dual role of chief of staff and vice president for marketing and communications. Pharr continues to serve as the vice president for marketing and communications and is now senior Nathan Moore advisor to the president. In his role as chief of staff, Moore will provide counsel to the president and oversee day-to-day operations of the Office of the President. He will also act as the primary liaison with the University System of Georgia Chancellor’s Office and serve as the administrative liaison with the UGA Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, as well as the vice presidents of government relations, development and alumni affairs and finance and administration. Moore’s other duties will include serving as the principal liaison with the University of Georgia Foundation and providing administrative oversight of all special events involving the president. Moore will represent the president on special task forces and committees.
Maggie Parker
Maggie Parker, director of the Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness, has been named chief of staff in the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, effective July 1. Parker succeeds Alton Standifer in the chief of staff role. Standifer now serves as vice president for strategic initiatives at Augusta University. Maggie Parker Earlier this year, Parker assumed expanded responsibilities as interim assistant to the provost, coordinating signature events such as the Charter Lecture, the Faculty Recognition Banquet and the Promotion and Tenure Reception and serving as co-chair of Commencement. In her new role, Parker will lead special projects and strategic initiatives, advise senior leadership on matters related to accreditation and work with campus and external partners to advance the university’s academic priorities. She will provide leadership for operations within the Office of the Provost. The Office of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness and academic affairs communications will report directly to her.
university beginning Aug. 1, 2027. The initiative continues UGA’s longstanding investment in strategic faculty hiring to enhance the student learning environment and recruit faculty who advance the university’s teaching, research and service mission.
4 Aug. 17, 2026 columns.uga.edu BUILDINGS from page 1
The exterior is nearing completion, while classrooms; simulation, clinical skills and anatomy centers; research laboratories; and collaborative student spaces continue to come together across all three floors. Major mechanical systems have been installed and are now undergoing testing as the project enters its final phases. In the months ahead, crews will focus on interior finishes, flooring, signage and landscaping. Careful planning and phased construction have helped keep the work on its accelerated schedule.
Science and Ag Hill modernization
Phase II of the Science and Ag Hill Modernization project was completed in April 2026. Departments began moving into the renovated space in May, with occupancy continuing through August. The project transformed a wing of Cedar Street Building B, formerly known as the Biological Sciences Building, creating modern learning and research spaces for students, faculty and staff. Construction continues on Phase III — Cedar Street Building A — which is expected to open in spring 2027. The north wing will include offices for faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with the Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture. It will also include space for several interdisciplinary laboratories. The south wing will feature active learning classrooms ranging from 28 to 72 seats, along with study rooms and shared collaboration spaces.The layout is designed to support group
EXCELLENCE from page 1
that are based on university research.
Faculty honors
University of Georgia faculty also amassed an impressive list of awards and distinctions. In the spring, professors Gerald Hart and Robert Schmitz were elected to the National Academy of Sciences, which recognizes distinguished achievements in research. With their addition, UGA now has 19 NAS members. Gerald Hart, Karl Lechtreck and Mark Tompkins were named Fellows of theAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science. UGA now has 53 members. Samantha Joye was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Additionally, six UGA researchers were named Senior Members of the National Academy of Inventors. C. Robin Buell, the Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar Chair in Crop Genomics, was named the 2026 Southeastern Conference Professor of the Year.
Student achievements
Demand for a University of Georgia degree has never been higher. More than 51,600 students submitted an application to UGA — including 34,000 students who applied for early action consideration, a 12.8% increase. Like UGA’s faculty, students also garnered a number of prestigious awards and distinctions. Finn Walsh was named a Marshall Scholar. Vaughn Frost and Annie Mehta were recognized as Barry Goldwater Scholars. Melanie Frick was recognized as a 2026 Udall Scholar, and Justin Cohen was recognized as a James
work, hands-on learning and collaboration among students, faculty and researchers.
New recreation facilities
The university is nearing completion of the Legion Field redevelopment project,which will further expand student recreation opportunities in the heart of campus. When the project is complete, Legion Field will feature four sand volleyball courts, complementing the expanded lawn near first-year residence halls and student activity hubs. The new space will provide enhanced recreation and fellowship opportunities that can be enjoyed for free throughout the year. The 2026 Homecoming Concert, headlined by Penelope Road on Sept. 29, will be one of the first events held at Legion Field. This fall, the university also expects to open approximately 10,000 square feet of new strength and conditioning space on the first floor of the Ramsey Student Center. Strength and Conditioning III, or S&C III for short, will expand the Ramsey Center’s strength and conditioning footprint from approximately 20,000 to 30,000 square feet.
State Botanical Garden entrance project
Visitors to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia will see continued progress on a new entrance and parking project.The project relocates the main entrance along South Milledge Avenue to improve safety and accessibility. Current work includes drainage improvements and landscaped rain gardens that will
C. Gaither Junior Fellow. Alumnus Sudhan Chitgopkar was named a 2026 Knight-Hennessy Scholar. And the university was once again named a top producer of Fulbright students. Eleven UGA students received Fulbright offers for the 2025-2026 academic year, marking the fourth consecutive year that UGA has received the designation of a top producer. In addition, 18 students were selected as Boren Scholars, placing UGA at No. 1 among top-performing institutions.
Major impacts
The University of Georgia generated a record $9.2 billion economic impact for the state, according to an annual study authored by UGA professor Michael Adjemian. UGA was reaffirmed as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities. This designation recognizes institutions that demonstrate a substantive, sustainable and institution-wide commitment to and strategy for regional economic engagement, growth and economic opportunity. UGA was one of only 16 universities in the country to receive the initial designation from the APLU in 2013 and has maintained the recognition through rigorous five-year review processes. During the 24-hour Dawg Day of Giving, more than 13,000 gifts poured in to support UGA students and programs. In total, the gifts contributed $8.5 million that will support all of the university’s schools and colleges.
Chamberlain Smith
UGA and state leaders cut the ribbon in front of the new Dining, Learning, and Well-being Center.
help collect and manage stormwater. The expanded parking area will have new short trails to connect to the garden’s existing trail system. Crews have also repurposed soil removed during construction to create other landscape features, reducing construction waste and environmental impacts while helping preserve the garden’s scenic character. Construction of the new entrance is expected to be completed in late 2026. To ease traffic around the Botanical Garden, the university is planning to construct a single-lane traffic roundabout at the entrance
DONORS from page 1
to higher education and ensuring that UGA can continue to recruit the brightest and most academically competitive students. The “For Georgia. For Generations.” scholarship initiative has now raised $53 million to support both need- and merit-based scholarships for current and future Bulldogs. This support is reflected in UGA’s highest three-year rolling average of $300 million, as well as continued growth in faculty support, including 407 endowed positions. This momentum is guided by the University of Georgia Foundation, which works to steward private support and align donor investments with the university’s highest priorities. Philanthropic investments this year are helping propel several of the university’s most important priorities forward. The School of Nursing was named in honor of Victoria Kay Ivester, recognizing a transformational $20.5 million gift from Doug Ivester and the Ivester Foundation that will expand nursing education and strengthen Georgia’s healthcare workforce. At the same time, momentum continues to build for the School of Medicine, where $9.3 million has been raised this year to support scholarships. Nancy and Les Juneau made a $5 million investment in the future of the College of Engineering to advance the college’s strategic priorities and provide need-based scholarship support for engineering students. Over the last three years, the university has raised more than $64 million to support graduate and professional students, including
along South Milledge Avenue. This will be one of two new single-lane roundabouts in the area. The other roundabout is planned to align with access drives serving the new UGA Track and Field Complex and the Jack Turner Family Complex.
College Station Road improvements
UGA continues to partner with AthensClarke County on improvements to College Station Road, including recently upgraded traffic lights at the intersection with River Road, across from the UGA Intramural Fields.
$21.3 million in fiscal year 2026.This enhances fellowships,stipends and research opportunities that help attract and retain top talent. Commitments to UGA Athletics continue to elevate the university’s total fundraising levels and support UGA’s standing as both an academic and athletic leader. Adam Wexler, a 2007 graduate, founder of PrizePicks and CEO of The Hidden Jams, made a $10 million commitment — the largest philanthropic commitment in UGA Athletic Association history — to support men’s basketball. A growing cohort of donors is investing at the highest levels to support success in the classroom and in competition. As of this year, 50 “powerhouse donors” have committed $1 million or more to both academic and athletic initiatives, demonstrating a shared vision for excellence across the university. Widespread participation continues to be a defining feature of UGA’s fundraising success, with contributions of all sizes making a meaningful difference. More than 13,000 gifts were made during Dawg Day of Giving, highlighting the collective power of Bulldog Nation. The Parents Leadership Council surpassed $10 million raised since its founding in 2012, supporting programs that enhance the UGA student experience. The Class of 2026 continued the recordbreaking tradition of giving with $127,000 raised this year through Senior Signature, demonstrating a lasting culture of student philanthropy.
ABOUT COLUMNS Columns is available to the campus community. Faculty and staff members with a disability may call 706-542-8059 for assistance in obtaining this publication in an alternate format. Columns staff can be reached at 706-542-8059 or columns@uga.edu
Editor Krista Richmond Art Director Lindsay Robinson Photo Editor Billy Schuerman The University of Georgia is a unit of the University System of Georgia. The University of Georgia is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.