Former Governors Honored
Three former Georgia Governors were recently honored for their contributions to advancing higher education in the state and for their support of the University of Georgia by having campus buildings named for them. The Athens campus now includes the Zell B. Miller Learning Center, the Joe Frank Harris Commons, and S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. Hall, a residence hall on UGA's East Campus.
Previously known as the Student Learning Center, the newly christened Zell B. Miller Learning Center was renamed on October 17 in
recognition of Miller's 60 years of public service, including two terms as Georgia's 79th governor from 1991 to 1999.
State funding for higher education rose almost 60 percent during his administration and salaries for faculty in the University
System increased almost 30 percent, lifting Georgia into the top tier in the South for faculty salaries. He also authorized more
than $1 billion in capital spending and almost $300 million for major renovations and repairs at University System institutions,
including most of the signature buildings on UGA's East Campus. Miller's biggest impact on education in Georgia was his creation
of the HOPE Scholarship, which has helped more than one million students attend college.
On Oct. 10, the East Campus Village Commons was renamed to honor former Governor Joe Frank Harris. The building is a hub of student activities on East Campus, housing a large cafeteria with specialty food stations, a small café, a convenience store, and spaces for meetings and student activities. Harris, who served two terms as Georgia's 78th governor from 1983 to 1991, worked to strengthen education in Georgia at all levels. During his administration, state funding for education rose by $2 billion, teachers' salaries climbed 70 percent and the number of students in public colleges and universities grew by a third during his administration. He created the Georgia Research Consortium, which helped channel $213 million to research facilities at state universities including UGA. The state also provided full formula funding for public higher education for the first time while he was governor. Some 1,100 elementary and secondary school buildings were constructed while he was governor. In 1999, Gov. Roy Barnes appointed Harris to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, making him the first former governor to serve as a regent. On Sept. 26, a six-story apartment-style residence hall on UGA's East Campus was named S. Ernest Vandiver Jr. Hall in honor of former Gov. Ernest Vandiver. Vandiver, who died in 2005, was governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. During his administration, state funding for public higher education rose 29 percent. UGA received state appropriations for several residence halls and other major buildings including the physics, biological sciences, chemistry, geography/geology, and poultry science buildings as well as the pharmacy building and Stegeman Coliseum. However, Vandiver's lasting legacy is his leadership in keeping UGA open in the face of efforts by other state leaders to close the school rather than accept racial integration in 1961. [close] |
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Undergraduate Research at UGA [dec.08]
Every Monday afternoon, a group of University of Georgia freshmen and sophomores gather to discuss the latest trends in research pedagogy or listen to guest lecturers about their academic interests. These seminars are part of the support network that the Honors Program's Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities provides the participants in its Apprentice Program.
Record Study Abroad Participation [dec.08]
The University of Georgia remained a national leader in study abroad, ranked 5th among doctoral/research institutions with 2,060 total study abroad participants in 2006-2007, according to a recently released national "Open Doors" report.
Redcoat Band Begins Campaign [dec.08]
The University of Georgia Redcoat Marching Band recently announced the public phase of its $2.5 million fundraising campaign to help finance the new Redcoat Practice Complex, a multi-part facility already in construction at the intramural fields off College Station Road.
Senior Signature Campaign [dec.08]
Senior Signature, a program that encourages graduating students to contribute to the university, is looking to top last year's record-setting participation with the help of the Class of 2009.
MCG/UGA Medical Partnership Dean Selected [dec.08]
Dr. Barbara L. Schuster, an internist and seasoned medical educator who chaired the Department of Internal Medicine at Wright State University's Boonshoft School of Medicine in Ohio for a dozen years has been named campus dean of the Medical College of Georgia/University of Georgia Medical Partnership Campus in Athens.
Private Giving in Action [oct.08]
Campus Traditions Renewed [oct.08]
Traditions create a link from the past to the present and on to the future. This year, several of UGA's campus traditions have been renewed and even strengthened.


