New USG Chancellor gives opening remarks

The new University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor, Erroll B. Davis Jr, made his first formal remarks to the Board of Regents Feb. 8. Davis assumed duties as chancellor on Feb. 6. Davis opened his speech, which was webcast to universities across the system, by saying that he is excited to be in Georgia and to be working with the Board of Regents.

He used the speech as an opportunity to greet the 35 colleges and universities across the system that he is now responsible for as chancellor. Davis said that the work of administrators, faculty and staff is an important contribution to the state. “We must be driven by our mission of “creating a more educated Georgia”—a mission that changes individual lives and enhances the overall quality of life for our state’s citizens. This is a significant mission. In today’s modern world, education is a common denominator to success —successful intellectual participation in society and successful participation in our nation’s economy,” Davis said.

Davis said that it is important to make nationally recognized higher education available throughout the state. “This system…powers Georgia’s economic engine….People and businesses are drawn to centers of education and intellect, and [faculty, staff, and administrators] are the nucleus of that intellectual activity,” Davis said. “[The system] serves more than 250,000 talented students, who understand the indisputable impact that education—quality education—will have in their lives.”

As he started to address the students in his speech, he said that he hoped they were not missing any classes to hear him talk. Davis said that he appreciates the students’ commitment to educational excellence and achievement. “By seeking to enhance your horizons, you reflect well on our state and its future promise. You are the primary reason that more than 38,000 employees work so hard each day to ensure your access to high-quality academic programs, top-flight faculty and first-rate facilities,” Davis said.

Davis cited the Schlitz Beer commercial, “You only go around once,” as a reminder to enjoy the experience of college, but to also take full advantage of the resources provided. “Enjoy yourselves. Savor the experience, but try to do it quickly! I urge you to take every advantage of the outstanding resources you have at your disposal on our campuses. By optimizing your educational experiences, you give us all hope and assurance that our future will be in excellent hands, in yours, our next generation of leaders,” Davis said.

Davis particularly thanked interim chancellor Corlis Cummings for help during the transition period. “I especially appreciate [Cummings] dumbing down the communications to me during this transition period…I am in a learning mode at the moment. I am learning already that no decision here is quite as simple as it seems,” Davis said.

Davis said that his immediate plans are to visit the system’s 35 campuses and to meet with the presidents, faculty, staff and students of each. “Initially, I wanted to complete these visits in the first 90 days, but understand that I have significant legislative responsibilities as well. I will use such visits as data-gathering opportunities to help formulate my vision and plans for the system,” he said.

Davis said one priority will be creating a record of accountability to the state’s citizens for the system’s performance. He said that the system’s success would be measured by its impact on students and on society. He said main goals of his administration will be improving the retention and graduation of students and expanding how the system contributes to economic development. “I expect that I will make changes over time in many areas, but they will not be precipitous. Change should be rational, its basis understood and where possible, be fact and data driven,” Davis said. Davis earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University in 1965 and an M.B.A. in Finance from the University of Chicago in 1967. He served as a member of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents from 1987 to 1994, is a former chairman of the board of trustees of Carnegie Mellon University and served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago.