FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, August 18, 2008
Contact: Robert Preston, Jr.,
912.260.4276
robert.preston@sgc.edu
Regent Robert Hatcher visits South Georgia College
Robert Hatcher, Vice Chair of the University System of Georgia Board of
Regents, made his first-ever visit to South Georgia College Wednesday
morning.
Regent Hatcher’s trip to Douglas was a part of his tour to institutions
within the University System that he had not previously visited. While on
campus, Regent Hatcher took time to meet with SGC administration and key
community leaders about the college’s vision for the future and the role the
college plays in the community.
Regent Hatcher arrived at the college at 9:30 a.m. and met with the
college’s Cabinet before taking time to meet with community leaders.
Afterwards, he took a look around the campus, including the newly-renovated
Clower Center and Tiger Village.
Regent Hatcher is President and CEO of MidCountry Financial Corp. He was the
President and CEO of First Liberty Bank from 1988 until its merger with BB&T
in 2000. Prior to First Liberty, he was with Trust Company Bank (SunTrust)
for 27 years.
Hatcher earned a BBA Finance degree from the University of Georgia and
graduated from the School of Banking of the South.
Hatcher's civic organization involvement is quite extensive. He serves as
Co-Chair of The Commission for a New Georgia and a Trustee of Mercer
University. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the U.S. Ski
and Snow Board Team Foundation. He served as 2002 Chair of the Georgia
Chamber of Commerce. He served as a Board member since 199l and served as a
member of the Executive Board from 1994 to 2003. He was Chairman of the
Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce in 1990 and was Chair of Macon Economic
Development Commission, Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority and a
member of the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority.
In 1973 he was a participant in Leadership of Georgia, Chairman in 1974 and
a Board member from 1974-1976. He co-founded Leadership Macon in 1979 and
was Chairman in 1980 and 1981. From 1982-1997 he served several terms as
Board Member of the Community Leadership Association (formerly National
Association for Community Leadership) and served as Chairman in 1984-85. In
1993 he founded Leadership USA and served as Chair until 1997. He served on
the board of the Vail Leadership Institute 2002 - 2005, and currently,
serves on the Leadership USA Executive Committee.
Hatcher has won numerous awards as result of his extensive community
involvement over the years, including the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Award
from the University of Georgia’s Terry College.
Award 2005 are among other accolades he has been awarded.
Bob is married to Georgia W. Hatcher and has one son (Robbo) and
daughter-in-law (Betsy) and two wonderful grandchildren (Felton and Janie).
He is an avid snow skier and also enjoys running and traveling.
“It was quite an honor having Regent Hatcher visit our campus. South Georgia
College is hard at work serving the students and communities of this region.
We are doing things the right way and we take our role of educating our
students very seriously. We were excited for the opportunity to show Regent
Hatcher all the positive things that are happening at South Georgia
College,” said Interim SGC President Dr. Virginia Carson.
CUTLINE: Regent
Robert Hatcher met with community leaders during his visit to South Georgia
College last Wednesday. Pictured from left are Don Brooks, Matt Greer,
Francis Lott, Rep. Chuck Sims, Douglas Mayor Jackie Wilson, SGC Interim
President Dr. Virginia Carson, Regent Hatcher, Sen. Greg Goggans and Chamber
President JoAnne Lewis.
# # # #
About South Georgia College
South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu)
was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System
of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives
students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close
collaboration with faculty.
