The Birthplace of Public Higher Education in America

The University of Georgia was founded by the state of Georgia in 1785. It is America's first public higher education institution. This university has helped to establish a great tradition of high-quality public education. Through global research, hands on learning, and extensive outreach, what began as a dedication to inspire the next generation has grown stronger. The University of Georgia is a top-rated public university and research institution. It tackles the most difficult problems in the world, including creating reliable food supplies and fighting infectious diseases.

The university is Georgia's most prestigious institution. It has a reputation for being a leader in student excellence. This is why the university has a remarkable rate of retention, graduation, and career placement. The University of Georgia is a top producer of Rhodes Scholars among public universities over the past 20 years. The University of Georgia is also the home of the Peabody Awards. This award is the most prestigious in electronic media.

The University of Georgia's scholars are dedicated to improving the quality of life and are experts in key fields such as vaccine development and regenerative medicine, and plant sciences. The University of Georgia is one of the top five universities in the country for technology commercialization. It has been ranked for eight consecutive years among the Top Five Universities. More than 850 products have been derived from university research.

The university's 18 schools and colleges have more than 38,000 students. They also produce over 335,000 alumni worldwide. The University of Georgia's programs reach across the globe and touch every corner of Georgia, realizing its land-and-sea-grant missions. The eight Public Service and Outreach units of the university are some of the most powerful in the country. They help to create jobs, train leaders, and address critical issues. Research, outreach, and extension are key drivers for economic and workforce development. They also spark partnerships that produce new businesses and train tomorrow's workforce.

The university's threefold mission of teaching, research, and service spans the globe. There are campuses in Georgia, Washington, D.C., England, and Italy. Additionally, there are partnerships in over 50 countries across six continents.

The university is located in Athens' Classic City, just an hour north of Atlanta. It thrives in a community which combines a vibrant college town with strong economic centers. Nearly 800 students and service organizations are registered on the campus. The Georgia Bulldogs are the university's 21 varsity athletic teams. Uga, the English bulldog mascot of Uga, is a nationally recognized mascot.

It's more than just a mission at the University of Georgia. It is a commitment that we make to our students and to the state of Georgia, as well as the rest of the world.

UGA's history

Georgia became the first state in the world to establish a state-funded university when the University of Georgia was established by an act of General Assembly on January 27, 1785. The General Assembly had established 40,000 acres of land in 1784 to fund a college or seminary for learning.

Abraham Baldwin was elected the president of the university at the first meeting on the board of trustees. It took place in Augusta, Georgia, on February 13, 1786. Baldwin, a native Connecticut and a Yale University graduate, drafted the charter that was adopted by the General Assembly. He had arrived in Georgia in 1784 as a student.

In 1801, a committee of trustees chose a site for the university. John Milledge, later governor of Georgia, bought and gave the selected tract of 633 acres to the board. It is located on the banks the Oconee River in northeast Georgia.

Josiah Meigs was elected president of the university. Work began on the first building. It was originally named Franklin College after Benjamin Franklin, and is now called Old College. In 1804, the university graduated its first class. In 1843, the university added law courses to its traditional classical education curriculum. The university also received federal funding in 1872 for instruction in agriculture and mechanical art.

The university has 18 colleges and schools that are part of its research and teaching programs. These schools and colleges are listed with the dates of their establishment as independent administrative units: Franklin College of Arts and Sciences (1801); College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (1859); School of Law (1903); D. B. Daniel B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources (2006); College of Education (1908); Graduate School (1910); C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business (1912); Henry W. Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication (1915); College of Family and Consumer Sciences (1933); College of Veterinary Medicine (2007); College of Ecology (2007); College of Engineering (2012); College of Engineering (2012; College of Ecology (2007); College of Ecology (2007); College of Engineering (2012); and Jere W. In 1947, the university incorporated the Division of General Extension. It is now known as the Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel.

The General Assembly of Georgia put all state-supported higher education institutions, including UGA under one board in 1931. The board of regents governs this organization, which is known as the University System of Georgia. The chancellor, the executive officer of the board of regents, has a general supervision over all institutions in the University System. Each institution has its own faculty and executive officers.

The University of Georgia's Mission

The University of Georgia is a land-grant, sea-grant university that has statewide commitments. It is the oldest, largest, and most diverse institution of higher education in Georgia. The University's unique and integral role in the preservation and enhancement of the nation's intellectual, cultural and environmental heritage is reflected in its motto "To Teach, To Serve, And to Inquire into the Nature of Things."

These core characteristics are shared by the University of Georgia and the other research universities of University System of Georgia:

• A statewide responsibility for excellence and academic achievements that have national and international recognition.
• A commitment to excellence in teaching/learning environments that promote high student achievement and diversity, as well as academic support services.
• A commitment to excellence in scholarship, research, and creative endeavours. These programs are organized to create, sustain, and apply new knowledge and theories. They also promote instructional quality; and they enhance institutionally relevant faculty qualifications.
• A commitment to excellence in public services, economic development and technical assistance activities that address the strategic needs for Georgia. In addition, a comprehensive offering in continuing education designed to satisfy the needs of Georgian citizens in life-long education and professional education.
• A wide variety of academic and professional programming is available at the baccalaureate and master's levels.

The University of Georgia's core characteristics and statewide mission are designed to help the University and its community prepare for the 21st century global society. It promotes understanding and respect for cultural differences through its programs and practices. This is essential for an educated and informed citizenry. It also promotes cultural, ethnic, gender and racial diversity among faculty, staff, students, and staff. The University is committed in preparing its community to understand the critical importance of creating a quality environment for interdependent global societies.

The University of Georgia is a land-grant and maritime institution that offers professional, master's and doctoral degrees in arts, humanities and social sciences. It also offers business, ecology and engineering programs. The university is also home to the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.

Students from all over the world and within Georgia are attracted to the University. The University offers the most diverse range of opportunities in graduate and professional education. A large number of students are post-baccalaureate. It is composed of a mixture of first-year and transfer students from other University System institutions, which makes up the majority of the undergraduate student body.

The state's land-grant and ocean-grant missions have a significant impact on the state through original scholarship, applied and basic research, as well as creative activities. Through their involvement in community, economic, and social development, cooperative extension, continuing education and public service, as well as technology transfer, they all aim to improve the well-being and quality of life for Georgian citizens.

The University of Georgia responds to changes in the state's educational and social needs, as it has done historically. Through its strategic planning, it aspires to have closer interaction with both public and private institutions across the state and with the citizens it serves.