David L. Potter named president at North Georgia College & State University

ATLANTA – (Nov. 16) – Dr. David L. Potter, commissioner of Higher Education for the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning, was named today as president of North Georgia College & State University by the Board of Regents and University System of Georgia Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith. Potter will assume the presidency of NGCSU on Jan. 1, 2005.

 “Dr. Potter was an exceptionally strong candidate for this important presidency,” said Meredith. “His proven record of leadership is what we were seeking in North Georgia’s next president.  I am confident he will continue to propel this institution into the top ranks of the nation’s colleges and universities.”

Potter said, “I am deeply honored to be selected to serve as the president of North Georgia College & State University and to join the University System of Georgia.  This institution has a distinguished and unique heritage as well as great promise.  I look forward to working with the entire North Georgia family to preserve the legacy of its past and to secure the bright future it so richly deserves.  I also am proud and grateful to be joining one of the nation's premier systems of higher education, and excited about working with my presidential colleagues and Chancellor Meredith."

Potter has served in his current position as the chief executive officer for the Board of Trustees overseeing the eight public universities in Mississippi since 2003.  Prior to his position with the state commission, Potter served as president of Delta State University, in Cleveland, Miss., from 1999 to 2003.  Delta State is a public, regional university of 4,000 students, with programs ranging from baccalaureate through doctoral degrees and an annual budget of $40 million.

Previously, he held a number of teaching and administrative positions at George Mason University, in Fairfax, Va., from 1987 to 1999, including provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, vice president and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, vice president for executive affairs, executive assistant to the president, and adjunct faculty in the department of sociology and anthropology. 

Potter also gained extensive administrative experience at the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), serving in a number of posts between 1981 and 1986 for that state coordinating agency for higher education.  He served as SCHEV’s assistant director for academic programs, assistant to the director for legislative programs and coordinator of academic programs.

In addition, Potter also has held administrative and teaching posts at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, N.Y.; Denison University, in Granville, Ohio; and Silliman University, in Dumaguete, Philippines. 

Potter currently serves as a member of the Commission on Leadership and Institutional Effectiveness for the American Council of Education. He has served on various commissions and committees for higher education organizations, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (including service on its executive committee), the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

He earned his B.A. cum laude in history from Amherst College, in Mass., and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in social science from Syracuse University.  Potter and his late wife, Pam Mathews, had two children: Elizabeth, now a lawyer in San Diego, and Holly, who works at the State Department. 

	(l to r) NGCSU Student Government President Scott Dickson, sophomore Raechelle Wheeler; Col. Tom Palmer, commandant of cadets; President Nathaniel Hansford with the Governor's Commendation; sophomore Blake Weaver; Cadet Brigade Commander Jace Walden; and junior Kristin Stanley.

Gov. Perdue issues NGCSU commendation

DAHLONEGA – After visiting the North Georgia College & State University campus and speaking during Parents-Alumni Weekend in April, Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue said that he would like to issue an official commendation recognizing the outstanding attributes of NGCSU.

The document, thanking and commending the university, was delivered to President Nathaniel Hansford last week. He shared the Governor's Commendation with NGCSU students and Col. Tom Palmer, the commandant of cadets.

The “Whereas” portions of the commendation identify the university's unique characteristics:

• Founded in 1873, North Georgia College & State University is the second oldest public institution of higher education in the state. Specializing in leadership education and producing leaders since its founding, the university has been designated The Leadership Institution of Georgia; and
   
• North Georgia has the distinction of being the first co-educational college in the state and the first public college in Georgia to admit women, in 1873, and the first to graduate a woman, in 1878; and
   
• North Georgia College & State University is one of an elite group of military colleges in the United States with a co-educational student body and a liberal-arts focus. As The Military College of Georgia, one of only six senior military colleges in the nation, North Georgia takes pride in numbering 36 generals and admirals among its alumni; and

• North Georgia College & State University has been ranked No. 13 in the South among public universities offering undergraduate and master’s programs and the 5th best value in public higher education in the nation in 2004. North Georgia’s incoming freshmen have among the highest average SAT scores and the University consistently maintains one of the highest graduation rates in the University System of Georgia; and
   

• With more than 4,600 students, North Georgia continues its steady growth and outstanding service to the State of Georgia.

Leadership center dedicated

The dedication of NGCSU's Brooks Pennington Jr. Military Leadership Center took place on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11. More than 150 guests attended the event inside the building's atrium including members of the Pennington family.

	Among the audience at the Pennington MLC dedication were (l to r) President Emeritus John Owen and wife Margaret, Maj. Gen. Alan Thrasher, NG’ 72 and commander of Cadet Command and Col. Billy Wells, PMS.

Regent Patrick Pittard, President Nathaniel Hansford, and Col. Tom Palmer spoke at the historical event. Brooks Pennington III, whose late father's name is on the building, also made remarks. Pennington Jr. attended North Georgia in 1943 and 1944 before serving in World War II and became a successful businessman afterward.

"Today is a dream come true for those of us who are privileged to wear the army uniform on this campus," Palmer said. "We have waited many years to have our own headquarters, and today we have not only a headquarters but a world class command and control facility."

Col. Palmer also talked about being a good steward of the new leadership center, which was completed in September.

Brooks Pennington Jr. Military Leadership Center

NGCSU names distinguished military students

	DISTINGUISHED MILITARY STUDENTS: Jace Walden, John Burkhart, Christopher Coatney, Jodi Kokaska, Matthew McNeal, Melissa Register, Brendon Terry, Peter Warner and Matthew Waterfield

This page last modified on: Monday, 10 January 2005 16:43:52 -0500 by University Relations    

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