Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is deeply saddened by the tremendous loss of alumna Mrs. Sandra Dunagan Deal.  Mrs. Deal earned her B.S. (‘63) and M.Ed. (‘66) in Elementary Education from GCSU then named The Woman’s College of Georgia.

Mrs. Deal embodied the highest aspirations of Georgia College & State University. As a former language arts teacher, Mrs. Deal understood the impact education has on the lives of her fellow Georgians and worked tirelessly to promote reading as the pathway to student achievement and lifelong success. When given a platform as Georgia’s First Lady, she dedicated herself to modeling the civic virtues of literacy, volunteerism, and community service.
 
As her alma mater, GCSU was pleased that the Georgia General Assembly opened the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center for Early Language and Literacy in 2017 on the GCSU campus to carry on Mrs. Deal’s legacy and commitment to advancing childhood literacy programs across the state of Georgia. The university benefited greatly from Mrs. Deal’s support and service to the Governing Board of the Sandra Dunagan Deal Center and the GCSU Foundation Board of Trustees.  Georgia College & State University is honored to carry on her legacy by serving future generations of Georgians with the same servant’s heart that Mrs. Deal so eloquently modeled for GCSU faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
 
Our deepest sympathy is extended to Governor Deal and the Deal family.
 
Cathy Cox, J.D.
President
Georgia College & State University