The Board of Regents, the 19-member governing body for the University System of Georgia, elected Regent C. Thomas Hopkins, Jr., MD to a one-year term as the Board’s chair and Regent Jim Hull to a one-year term as the Board’s vice chair.

Hopkins, who was appointed to the Board in 2010 to represent the Third Congressional District, will serve as Board Chair from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2017.

“The University System of Georgia plays a critical role in preparing students to meet the needs of tomorrow’s workforce, as well as to help develop our next generation of leaders,” says Hopkins. “I am excited about the opportunities ahead next year and working with our Board as we continue to serve our number one priority – our students – and to help support them successfully to college completion.”

Hopkins is board certified in orthopaedic surgery and orthopaedic sports medicine, engaged in private practice in Griffin, Georgia, as a partner of OrthoGeorgia. He served in the United States Air Force as a fighter squadron flight surgeon and orthopaedic surgeon. He is a board member of MAG Mutual Insurance Company and United Bank Corporation. His professional memberships include the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Medical Association of Georgia, Georgia Orthopaedic Society where he has served as past president, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Spalding County Medical Society, and the Rotary Club of Griffin where he previously served as president. He has served on the Georgia Health Strategies Council and Governor’s Physician Partnership.

Hopkins earned a bachelor’s degree from Valdosta State University, attended the University of Georgia, and completed his medical degree and residency at Emory University.

He and his wife, Sara, have two children.

Hull, who was first appointed in 2013 to the Board of Regents as an at-large member and reappointed by Gov. Deal in January, will serve as Board Vice Chair from Jan. 1, 2017, through Dec. 31, 2017.

“I am honored to be elected as vice chair by my fellow Regents,” says Hull. “I believe that higher education can transform lives and help open the doors to vast opportunities. I look forward to working with Chairman Hopkins and the Board on behalf of the faculty, staff and students of the University System of Georgia.” Hull is managing principal of Hull Property Group, which is a retail, real estate acquisition, management and development company headquartered in Augusta, Georgia. A lifelong resident of Augusta and supporter of the Medical College of Georgia and Augusta University, Hull received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Augusta University. He currently serves on the boards of the Medical College of Georgia Foundation, Board of Visitors of Augusta University, AU Health System, State of Georgia’s REACH Scholarship Program, the Georgia Research Alliance, the Community Foundation of the CSRA, America’s Warrior Partnership and the University System of Georgia Foundation.

He has endowed the Hull Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships on the basis of academic, merit and financial need, at Paine College and Vanderbilt University. He is a member of the United Way’s Alexis de Tocqueville Society and Junior Achievement’s Business Hall of Fame, Beta Gamma Sigma’s Honor Society, a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the Augusta Assembly. Hull has received many awards, including the United Way’s Founders Award, Augusta State University President’s Award, the Augusta Bar Association Liberty Bell Award and the Society of Fundraising Professionals Philanthropist of the Year Award. He and his wife, Karen, have four adult children.

Regent Neil Pruitt chaired the committee that developed nominations for board officers for the coming year. Committee members were Regents Richard Tucker and Sachin Shailendra.