Chartered by Georgia's state in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America — launching our nation's great tradition of world-class public education. What began as a commitment to inspire the next generation grows stronger today through global research, hands-on learning, and extensive outreach. A top value in public higher education and research, the University of Georgia tackles some of the world's grand challenges, from combating infectious disease and creating a dependable food supply to advancing economic growth and strengthening cyber and global security.
As Georgia's flagship institution, the University is recognized for its commitment to student excellence by emphasizing rigorous learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, including hands-on research and leadership opportunities. These experiences contribute to the University's exceptional rates in retention, graduation, and career placement. Among public universities, the University of Georgia has been one of the nation's top three Rhodes Scholars producers over the past two decades. Its honors program is ranked as one of the top 10 in the country. The University is also home to the Peabody Awards, the most prestigious prize in electronic media.
Scholars at the University of Georgia are committed to improving the quality of life for all. They are leaders in pivotal fields, such as vaccine development, regenerative medicine, plant sciences, and more. One of the nation's top universities for technology commercialization and licensing income, the University of Georgia research has resulted in nearly 700 commercial products reaching the marketplace.
With its broad reach, the University's 17 colleges and schools enroll more than 37,000 students and have produced over 315,000 alumni living worldwide. The University of Georgia's initiatives extend globally while touching every corner of the state, realizing its land- and sea-grant missions. The University's eight Public Service and Outreach units, which are among the strongest in the nation, help create jobs, develop leaders, and address critical challenges.
Research, outreach, and extension serve as significant drivers of economic and workforce development and spark successful partnerships that create new businesses and train tomorrow's workforce.
The University's threefold teaching, research, and service mission span the globe with campuses in five Georgia locations, Washington, D.C., England, Costa Rica, Italy, and partnerships in more than 50 countries on six continents.
The University of Georgia, a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified higher education institution. Its motto, "to teach, serve, and inquire into the nature of things," reflects the University's integral and unique role in the conservation and enhancement of the state's and nation's intellectual, cultural, and environmental heritage.
As a comprehensive land-grant and sea-grant institution, the University of Georgia offers baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees in the arts, humanities, social sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, agricultural and environmental sciences, business, ecology, engineering, environmental design, family and consumer sciences, forest resources, journalism and mass communication, education, law, pharmacy, public health, social work, and veterinary medicine. The University is also home to the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership.
The University attracts students nationally and internationally as well as from within Georgia. It offers the state's broadest array of possibilities in graduate and professional education, and thus a large minority of the student body is post-baccalaureate. The predominantly Georgian undergraduate student body comprises highly qualified students admitted initially as first-year students and selected transfer students principally from other University System institutions.
With the original scholarship, basic and applied research, and creative activities constituting an essential core from which to draw, the land-grant and sea-grant mission's impact is reflected throughout the state. Cooperative extension, continuing education, public service, experiment stations, and technology transfer are all designed to enhance the well-being of the citizens of Georgia through their roles in economic, social, and community development.
As it has been historically, the University of Georgia is responsive to the evolution of the state's educational, social, and economic needs. It aspires through its strategic planning to even closer contact and interaction with public and private institutions throughout the state and the citizens it serves.
This is where everything we do matters, where we can believe, take chances and tackle our highest goals. This is the place where new acquaintances become lifelong friends and spontaneous moments become cherished memories. Everything you need to become amazing is all here.
When an act of the General Assembly incorporated the University of Georgia on January 27, 1785, Georgia became the first state to charter a state-supported university. In 1784 the General Assembly had set aside 40,000 acres of land to endow a college or seminary of learning.
At the first meeting of the board of trustees, held in Augusta on February 13, 1786, Abraham Baldwin was selected president of the University. A native of Connecticut and a graduate of Yale University, Baldwin — who had come to Georgia in 1784 — drafted the charter adopted by the General Assembly.
VIDEOS
