ATHENS, Ga. (June 25, 2013) – Senate Agriculture Chairman John Wilkinson (R-Toccoa) joined members of the Senate and House Agriculture Committee to meet newly appointed President of The University of Georgia (UGA), Jere Morehead, on Monday, June 24. Morehead was previously the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at UGA and will replace retiring UGA President Dr. Michael Adams beginning Monday, July 1.
“This was a wonderful opportunity for us all to meet informally with Jere and get to know him better before he fully steps into his new position as President of UGA,” said Sen. Wilkinson. “We are all proud Dawgs and know that he will be successful in his new role because of his strong commitments to agriculture – the No. 1 industry in Georgia.”
During this meeting, Morehead provided an update on the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and answered legislators’ questions.
Currently, UGA agriculture students receive the third highest starting salary after graduation with the lowest unemployment rate among graduates than any other department. Agriculture and related fields provide one out of every seven Georgians with a job, according to the Georgia Farm Bureau. Morehead emphasized the importance of agriculture to Georgia and the University along with his priority to keep UGA’s program growing.
The Senate Agriculture Committee also met briefly after speaking with Morehead to elect a producer/processor to the newly created Agricultural Commodity Commission for Georgia Grown Products. They nominated Gary Farmer to the commission created by House Bill 298. Farmer has previously worked for UGA as region coordinator of agricultural education with more than 30 years of experience in agriculture.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Kate Greer, Broadcast Specialist
Kate.Greer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028