The University of Georgia (UGA) is a public research university with its main campus in Athens, Georgia. Founded in 1785, UGA is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. The university is classified as a Research I university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and as a land-grant and sea-grant institution by the National Science Foundation. UGA’s alumni and faculty include two Nobel laureates, four Pulitzer Prize winners, and numerous recipients of Guggenheim and Fulbright fellowships.
As of 2019, UGA ranked tied for 20th among all public national universities in the United States according to U.S. News & World Report rankings and tied for 37th among all national universities according to Forbes magazine rankings. The university was founded on January 27, 1785, nine months after the signing of the Treaty of Paris that ended the American Revolutionary War (also known as the War for Independence). Its founding charter designated it “a place of learning not surpassed by any other institution in America.” It was also one of only three schools started during that time period with this lofty goal: to be an educational center that would be equal to or surpass those at Yale or Harvard—the other two being Franklin College (now University) which opened shortly after Georgia’s; and Dickinson College which opened about seven years later but did not survive long enough to make much impact outside central Pennsylvania where it was located.. In 1801, Josiah Meigs became president—the first American born president–and oversaw construction of Old College, now known as North Campus; while classes were still held at Franklin Square near downtown Athens until 1806 when New College (later named South Campus) finally opened its doors..
During Reconstruction after the Civil War , George Washington Cable observed white Georgians’ maltreatment toward African Americans and wrote critically about it in his novel John March . Nonetheless he noted approvingly what he saw as progress: “In spite [of] all these drawbacks … I can safely say that there never was a State college better equipped than ours for doing good work.” As late as 1956 William Battles Scott still could write nostalgically about his undergraduate days there when “segregation reigned” because “ours was essentially a white man’s college”. However even before Scott’s tenure began in 1948 significant numbers black students had begun attending under James Edward Russell Groves ‘s presidency , including Charlayne Hunter who integrated UGA ‘s undergraduate student body single-handedly in 1961 . Afterward both she and Hamilton Holmes were subjected to harassment from fellow students but found support from members of the community such as civil rights activist Florence Shingler . Despite such events integration proceeded apace : By 1970 blacks constituted 12 % Of undergraduates ; they were 16% ten years later ..
The state legislature responded within days by expelling Hunter and Holmes but soon reversed itself following protests led by future governor Lester Maddox . Meanwhile lawsuits challenging segregation had been working their way through federal courts culminating with a decision against UGA by district judge Albert Brawley Idenlson Jr. In 1970; however final desegregation occurred only gradually over several years owing largely To African American students’ own efforts rather than due to any sense Of urgency on administrators’ part .. Some buildings such As Myers Hall remained segregated well into 1971 while others such As Candler Library were not integrated until 1974… From 1971 onward affirmative action programs gave increasing numbers Of blacks opportunities To enter graduate And professional programs which prior To then they had rarely if ever done… At current rates It Is projected that black enrollment will reach close 30 % sometime around 2020 ..
Today minorities overall are just over 36% Of undergraduates with Blacks making up approximately 28%. The trend is similar among graduate students where minorities are 38% with blacks comprising 30%. Asians have become particularly prominent recently having been only 3 percentOf undergraduates In 1990 but 15 percent currently… For many decades Hispanics have been almost entirely absent except for small Numbers enrolled each year In language programs sponsored jointly With Latin American countries … However their presence has grown steadily if slowly reaching 1 percent overall In 2010… More recent data isn’t available at present but Judging from nationwide patterns It seems Likely Hispanics will continue increase especially given recent increases Funding For Outreach efforts specifically targeting them …. Women first outnumbered men 1954 though today men slightly outnumber women 51%-49%. This reflects A change That began occurring nationally around 1985 After Which males decreased their share most dramatically engineering Other STEM disciplines While females increased Their participation All areas..
Uga offers bachelor ’s degrees more than 140 fields arts sciences business journalism education veterinary medicine pharmacy dentistry law medicine rehabilitation science nursing social work sports medicine theology plus specialized degrees interdisciplinary studies ecology evolution genetics marine sciences pharmacology toxicology wildlife ecology There also numerous master ’s doctoral degrees available addition certificate programs professional development some Which lead licenses certifications required certain occupations e g teaching librarianship forestry Bar membership etcetera Finally non – degree seeking “special” students take courses personal enrichment purposes credit noncredit basis These latter folks include high school Dual Enrollment dual credit Early Admission home – schooled transient auditors exchange visitors non – native English speakers taking Intensive English Program seniors 60+ who wish audit courses regular tuition fee waiver anyone approved Undergraduate Admissions based review academic credentials life experience military service etcetera