Regents Name New Chancellor

In a special session of the Board of Regents Thursday, Oct. 15, chair Hilton H. Howell, Jr., announced that Thomas C. Meredith, chancellor of the University of Alabama System had been named as the new chancellor of the University System of Georgia, effective January 2, 2002.

At a news conference following the meeting, Meredith joined Howell, Vice Chair Joe Frank Harris, and the System staff in responding to media inquiries. "We are tremendously pleased with the outcome of our national search," Howell said. "Dr. Meredith emerged from the selection process with the right blend of experience, vision, and personality that the Board felt would best suit our current needs and future plans. He is the right man, for the right job, at the right time, and we are looking forward to the leadership that he will bring to the chancellor's post."

Meredith has served in his current role since 1997, where he oversees three doctoral research universities having a combined enrollment of 40,000 students, 17,000 employees, and an annual budget of $1.8 billion.

Dr. Meredith served from 1988 to 1997 as president and professor of education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. Previously he served the University of Mississippi as vice chancellor for executive affairs from 1987-88 and adjunct professor of higher education and as executive assistant to the chancellor from 1984-1987. He also served as an academic programs officer and as an associate director for programs and planning for the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning in Jackson, Miss., from 1974-1981.

A native of Kentucky, Dr. Meredith holds a bachelor's degree in social studies and history from Kentucky Wesleyan College, a master's in education administration and supervision from Western Kentucky University, and a doctoral degree in education in administration and supervision with an emphasis in secondary and higher education from the University of Mississippi. He also completed the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University.

Dr. Meredith is active in several educational, corporate, and civic organizations. He was recently recognized for his leadership in Alabama economic development activities through induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor, an organization of only 100 outstanding Alabama residents. In 1999, Governor Don Siegelman also appointed him as vice chair of the Alabama Commerce Commission, a statewide group charged with drafting, implementing and monitoring a long-term economic development plan for the state.