RELEASE: Immediate

DATE: Wednesday, April 25, 2012

South Georgia College, Waycross College Discuss Consolidation Effort

On Tuesday, April 3, the presidents of six area colleges and universities joined South Georgia College President Dr. Virginia Carson and Waycross College Interim President Dr. Mary Ellen Wilson on the SGC campus in Douglas to discuss the consolidation of Waycross College and South Georgia College.

In attendance were: Georgia Southwestern State University President Kendall A. Blanchard, Armstrong Atlantic State University President Linda Bleicken, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College President David C. Bridges, Albany State University President Everette J. Freeman, College of Coastal Georgia President Valerie Hepburn, Valdosta State University Interim President Louis H. Levy, Okefenokee Technical College Interim President Glenn Deibert, and University System of Georgia Associate Vice Chancellor for Planning and Implementation Shelley Nickel.

The presidents represented institutions with which WC and SGC have a current partnership or which serve as neighboring institutions. The meeting was spent sharing the goals and timeline for consolidation as well as discussing potential ways the consolidation could enhance educational opportunities in the region. Dr. Wilson summarized the meeting by stating, “The meeting was a great opportunity for us to update our colleagues and work together to develop ideas for additional ways to strengthen our relationships.”

Later that day, Dr. Carson, chair of the Transition Team, led the second meeting of the group. The committee is made up of representatives from both SGC and WC and includes faculty, staff, alumni, students, the Foundation and community members.

Ms. Shelley Nickel, Associate Vice Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, was in attendance to provide further guidance on the consolidation efforts. Ms. Nickel thanked the committee for serving and reminded each team member to remember the new institution will be greater than the sum of its parts. She went on to say, “The work of consolidating institutions is complex, and I want to let you know I and the entire USG system staff appreciates your willingness to serve and your desire to help further higher education in our state.”

During the meeting, updates were given by each of the seven working group chairs covering the topics of administrative and academic affairs, enrollment management, facilities, fiscal affairs, external affairs and information technology. In addition, a draft of the new mission was discussed along with progress on the joint Complete College Georgia plan which is due in July and information about the SACS Commission on Colleges prospectus due in October. Dr. Carson states, “I am happy to report that the consolidation committee is making solid progress on this very complex issue. We are where we need to be at this point in the process, and we are continuing to carefully consider the strengths of both institutions and communities.” Dr. Wilson added, “This committee and these two colleges are committed to making this a smooth transition and a win-win for our students.”

The next Transition Team meeting is scheduled for May 15, 2012 on the campus of Waycross College.

SGC Consolidation Presidents

On April 3, SGC President Dr. Virginia Carson and Waycross College Interim President Dr. Mary Ellen Wilson visited with the presidents from colleges and universities from across the region on the SGC campus. Pictured from left are: Carl McDonald, SGC Vice President for Academic Affairs; Everette J. Freeman, Albany State University; Kendall A. Blanchard, Georgia Southwestern State University; Virginia Carson, South Georgia College; David C. Bridges, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Shelley Nickel, University System of Georgia Associate Vice Chancellor for Planning and Implementation; Valerie Hepburn, College of Coastal Georgia; Mary Ellen Wilson, Waycross College; Glenn Deibert, Okefenokee Technical College; Linda Bleicken, Armstrong Atlantic State University; and Louis H. Levy, Valdosta State University.

SGC Consolidation Team

Following the meeting with the presidents of area colleges, Drs. Carson and Wilson, along with Nickel, met with the Transition Team to further discuss the consolidation process.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.