RELEASE: Immediate

DATE: Thursday, July 19, 2012

SGC-WC Send Five Potential Names for Consolidated Institution to Board of Regents

The South Georgia College-Waycross College consolidation working group, made up of 20 individuals representing both institutions, has submitted the following five names (in alphabetical order) to the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents:

1. Georgia Southeastern State College

2. Satilla State College

3. South Georgia College

4. South Georgia State College, and

5. Southeast Georgia State College.

The names will be considered by the regents during the Board’s August 7-8 meeting, with the regents expected to select and approve a final name for the new institution.

This marks the completion of one of the key initial tasks of the consolidation as set forth by the USG and Chancellor Hank Huckaby. Upon approval of the consolidation by the Board of Regents in January, Chancellor Huckaby appointed a team made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members from both Colleges to serve on a consolidation working group.
The group serves in an advisory role to discuss a variety of topics related to the consolidation process and is charged with developing various recommendations for consolidation to be presented to the Board of Regents for approval.

The names were selected from 425 submissions that were the result of the working group’s creation of guidelines that allowed individuals from both institutions to contribute. Participants were asked to consider the following factors when providing a suggestion:

• The new institution will be a statewide, multi-campus institution initially serving over 3,000 students.

• Its name should support the institution’s mission and serve to strengthen its academic reputation.

• The name should aid in the institution’s long-term growth as well as be easily incorporated into the college’s branding efforts.

• The name should also aid in enhancing economic development for Georgia.

• The College will be designated as a state college by the University System; thus the word “university” cannot be included.

Dr. Mary Ellen Wilson, Interim President of Waycross College, said, "This level of response validates that our institutions are integral to this region and have a great deal of support, which is exciting about what our future potential is as we move forward.”

Dr. Virginia Carson, SGC President and president of the consolidated institution, said, “This was a challenging task and I am grateful to each member of this committee who has worked so hard to help lay the framework of the new and enhanced institution we are shaping."

Following the designation of a name by the regents in August, the consolidation will seek another level of approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS COC) at its December 2012 Board meeting. Any name which is determined by the Regents cannot be used until SACS COC approval is gained.
Whatever its name, the new consolidated College will be a multi-campus institution. Thus, it will have a Douglas Campus as well as a Waycross Campus. These campus designations, or identifiers, will be utilized in all aspects of the College, particularly in recruiting and marketing materials.

"I am excited about the next phase of this process and look forward to the enhanced educational opportunities for all students as well as the broadened economic impact we can make once fully implemented," Dr. Carson said.

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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.