University of Georgia President Jere W. Morehead delivered the annual State of the University Address on Feb. 3, reflecting on a year marked by groundbreaking achievements, defining moments and exceptional progress. 

“It is ingrained in our DNA as Bulldogs to seek out society’s toughest challenges and to tackle them head-on. Here, excellence is measured not in accolades, but in impact,” Morehead said. “As a result, the success of the University of Georgia and how we carry out our vital land-grant and sea-grant mission is defined by the mark we leave on others.” 

Leading the way to a brighter future for Georgia and beyond 

Faculty, staff and students from across the university continue to partner closely with communities throughout Georgia to advance key economic initiatives and strengthen local capacity. In the past year, the university’s estimated economic impact on the state reached a record $9.2 billion. This work was recognized when UGA received the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award, honoring outreach programs led by Public Service and Outreach that promote economic development in communities across the state. 

The university is also advancing major medical and health initiatives. The School of Medicine expects to be notified by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education of its decision to grant preliminary accreditation status in the coming weeks, which would allow the school to begin recruiting the inaugural class of medical students. Progress also continues on the $100 million medical education and research building, with an anticipated completion date of this December. 

Last May, UGA received authorization from the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to establish the School of Nursing, bringing the total number of schools and colleges at UGA to 20.  

“Together, the School of Medicine and the School of Nursing will expand the university’s transformational impact and place UGA and our graduates at the forefront of improving health care outcomes for people and communities in every corner of our state,” Morehead said. “The addition of these programs represents a significant milestone in our institution’s history, and I am grateful for the confidence placed in us by the Governor, General Assembly, Chancellor, Board of Regents and the people of Georgia to fulfill our important mission.” 

Morehead also expressed excitement about the Governor’s proposed budget, which would allow the university to further advance a host of institutional priorities

Embracing our role as leaders for discovery and innovation 

Morehead emphasized that the University of Georgia’s land-grant and sea-grant mission is rooted in the relentless pursuit of new knowledge, driven by faculty whose research is transforming fields, saving lives and addressing society’s most pressing challenges. That commitment is reflected in a record $654 million in research and development expenditures last year, marking a 75% increase since 2015. 

“While I am incredibly proud of this achievement, I am even more inspired by what the work behind this number represents,” Morehead said. “Our faculty’s belief in purposeful research allows them to excel at translating their findings into impactful solutions.” 

In 2025, UGA again led the nation in products bringing products market, underscoring the real-world impact of its research enterprise. Recognition by leading national academies, combined with influential scholarship and the mentorship of emerging scholars, continues to position the university at the forefront of innovation. 

But Morehead said the university is not content to rest on these accolades. Last fall, UGA announced a Presidential Hiring Initiative to recruit up to 60 new faculty members in strategic fields such as biomedical sciences, artificial intelligence, cancer research, aerospace engineering and more. The university will extend a fundraising match provided by the UGA Foundation to support the establishment of more endowed faculty positions, which allow the university to recruit and retain exceptional faculty. 

During Morehead’s tenure, the number of endowed chairs and professorships has increased from 227 to 401. 

Morehead also noted that UGA is actively developing a new five-year Strategic Plan, set to launch later this year and guide the university through 2031. The plan will be structured around three strategic imperatives: strengthening instructional excellence and student success; accelerating research and innovation that improves society; and deepening UGA’s commitment to serving communities across Georgia and beyond. 

Preparing society’s future leaders for a lifetime of impact 

As a leading public research university, UGA is moving quickly to prepare students for a world shaped by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, ensuring graduates are equipped to use these tools responsibly and effectively. 

“We are investing $800,000 in a pilot program to provide thousands of student licenses for premium AI tools, including ChatGPT Edu and Gemini Pro, so students can build practical skills on industry-leading platforms and graduate ready to contribute on day one,” Morehead said. “Faculty and staff already have access to these platforms through their departments, and we look forward to broadening this student pilot in the months ahead.” 

UGA’s ongoing investment in student success continues to produce significant results, including nearly a 95% first-year retention rate, a 90% six-year graduation rate and a 95% placement rare for graduates of Class of 2024. That success is matched by national standing, as the University of Georgia earned a top 20 public ranking from U.S. News & World Report for the 10th consecutive year, along with numerous other recognitions for quality and value. 

Growing momentum has driven record undergraduate and graduate applications and enrollment at UGA; to support this growth, the university is advancing major campus investments including construction of a new first-year residence hall and the West Campus Dining, Learning and Well-being Center, as well as ongoing renovations to labs and classrooms on Science and Ag Hill. 

The university’s progress and future vision would not be possible without by the loyalty and unwavering dedication of its alumni and friends, who contributed a record $300.4 million last year, fueling momentum for an expanded scholarship campaign. With matching support from the UGA Foundation, the campaign will significantly grow merit-based and need-based scholarships and experiential learning opportunities, extending the life-changing impact of a UGA degree to more students in the years ahead. 

President Morehead closed by expressing that, as the university enters its next chapter, its pursuit of excellence remains rooted in a shared purpose to discover, serve and transform. He emphasized that the university’s strength is driven by the collective dedication of its faculty, staff and students, and by the enduring generosity of alumni and friends, offering his gratitude as he affirmed that UGA’s impact across Georgia, the nation and the world continues to strengthen.