Story and Photos by University Communications.

T he Georgia College & State University community gathered to mark a new chapter in the institution’s 133-year history, the inauguration of President Cathy Cox.

In the ceremonial highlight of the daylong celebration, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue conferred upon Cox a presidential medallion emblazoned with the official seal of Georgia College & State University, signifying the transition to her leadership of the institution.
 
“President Cox, leading this university must be for the benefit of the students, the community [and] the state,” Chancellor Perdue said. “By accepting this responsibility, you’re making a commitment to this college’s mission of the liberal arts and to preparing students to make a difference in this world.”

The inauguration ceremony included remarks from dignitaries representing various stakeholders within the university community.

Dr. Jennifer Flory is the presiding officer in the University Senate. She expressed her hope that Cox’s leadership will continue confidently progressing Georgia College on the path to preeminence that began with the announcement of the public liberal arts designation under former President Dr. Rosemary DePaolo.

“We know you as a student-focused and aspirational leader with the insight and persistence to lead us into an uncertain but promise-filled future,” Flory said. “We are very fortunate to have you at the helm at this point in our history, and I am confident that you are the right person to lead our institution.”

Kaitley Congdon, president of the Student Government Association, commended Cox for the way she forges meaningful relationships with students.

“As president of a university, there is always some important task on the agenda that must be taken care of, but even with her busy schedule, President Cox always goes out of her way to make sure she is where the students are,” Congdon said. “This means a lot to students.”

The inauguration was a true community event with delegations representing fellow USG institutions, both houses of the Georgia General Assembly, Georgia Military College, Central Georgia Technical College, the City of Milledgeville, the Baldwin County Commission, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office and the Baldwin County School District.

In her inaugural address, Cox thanked everyone for celebrating this historic occasion with her. She then reiterated the importance of the task before her: harnessing the power of a liberal arts education to prepare students to take ownership of and lead a world beset with complexity, complacency and indifference.


“I am excited by the idea that we can utilize one of the most classic forms of education—the liberal arts—to train students to recognize, to analyze, to care about and to help solve some of the most challenging issues that society faces today,” Cox said. “Our graduates will make the world a better place. Armed with superior abilities to analyze issues, apply innovative solutions and build teams and communities that sustain a better way forward. They won’t be satisfied with the status quo—and neither are we. The future looks better because we at Georgia College & State University will make it so.”