PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2024 PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2024
A MESSAGE FROM DR. MONGA A MESSAGE FROM DR. MONGA
Dear Members of the University of West Georgia Community,
Welcome to the 2024 edition of the University of West Georgia President’s Report. Within these pages, you will discover highlights of the progress we have made to enrich the lives of our students to ensure they have excellent experiences, eventually helping them cross the finish line to graduation.
At UWG, we strive to deliver exceptional value through a holistic student experience. Our commitment extends beyond the classroom to include opportunities like Division I athletics, hands-on learning in state-of-the-art facilities, and personal connections that enrich the journey of each student. This dedication yields measurable results: UWG graduates earn an average of $1.4 million more over their lifetimes than those without a bachelor’s degree, with even greater returns for advanced degrees. Moreover, UWG is ranked third in Georgia for upward social mobility—so students’ education is truly the ticket to elevating them and their families.
As we look forward, I remain inspired by the collaborative spirit of our university and the broader community. We rise together to shape a future for this institution that builds on our strengths and propels UWG to even greater heights.
Thank you for your continued dedication to the success of our students and the advancement of UWG.
Go West and Go Wolves!
Ashwani Monga, Ph.D. Interim President
University of West Georgia
ABOUT UWG ABOUT UWG
Since 1906, the University of West Georgia has been home to those who are eager to embrace opportunities and define their own paths. As a comprehensive, public university, UWG is a regional powerhouse with beautiful campuses in Carrollton and Newnan, Georgia, and a strong virtual presence that serves students across our state, nation, and world.
Continually recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top national university, UWG provides a high-quality, affordable college experience that transforms the lives of students across Georgia, 31 other states, and 40 other countries.
UWG is proud to be Wolves Country, fielding 15 teams in NCAA Division I athletics. We also boast one of the most decorated cheerleading programs in the nation, having earned 29 national championships since 2001.
The one thing that’s never changed since 1906: amazing things happen when you Go West.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAST FACTS ACHIEVEMENTS AND FAST FACTS
2024 BEST COLLEGE: REGION BY REGION - SOUTHEASTERN BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW
BEST VALUE ONLINE SCHOOL IN GEORGIA BY BESTVALUESCHOOLS.COM #3
#3
79,000+ ALUMNI FROM ALL 50 STATES AND 20 COUNTRIES
$614 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT ANNUALLY
1,180+ STUDENT EMPLOYEES & 2,211 INTERNSHIPS
14,300+ TOTAL ENROLLMENT UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS
ACCREDITED AS A SACSCOC LEVEL VI UNIVERSITY –THE HIGHEST LEVEL POSSIBLE
#3
IN SOCIAL MOBILITY IN THE STATE BY U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT #3
RECOGNIZED AS CAMPUS OF THE YEAR BY THE INSTITUTE FOR WELL-BEING
665+
ACRES ON UWG’S CAMPUSES IN CARROLLTON AND NEWNAN
24
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE 16:1
STUDENT-PROFESSOR RATIO
RAISED NEARLY $28 MILLION OVER LAST THREE YEARS
35
UCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN CHEERLEADING
VARSITY ESPORTS TEAM IN PEACH BELT CONFERENCE
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE –TEACHING AND CURRICULAR INNOVATION
15 NCAA DIVISION I SPORTSUAC AND ASUN CONFERENCES
The landscape of higher education is undergoing transformative change, and regional comprehensive institutions like UWG are poised to emerge as valued partners in meeting the needs of students, communities, and industries. Through academic programs that engage students in 21st-century learning experiences, UWG guides the waves of change locally, regionally, and across the state.
ELEVATING ACADEMICS IN 2024 ELEVATING ACADEMICS IN 2024
• 3,985 degrees conferred in 2024
• UWG’s Online MBA program ranked No. 1 in state by U.S. News & World Report
» Online bachelor’s degrees ranked No. 2 in Georgia
• Academic Transition Programs awarded the Regents’ Momentum Award for Excellence in Teaching and Curricular Innovation by the University System of Georgia
• UWG earned reaccreditation from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• UWG expanded Dual Enrollment program into Coweta County as “Go West Early”
• Assistant Professor of Special Education Dr. Brandy Locchetta appointed to Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board by Gov. Brian Kemp
• Nursing students earned esteemed DAISY Awards for extraordinary nurses
• English Professor Dr. Maria Doyle appointed to the 2024-25 class of Governor’s Teaching Fellows, one of only 16 faculty members in state
• Transfer credit agreements signed with Georgia Highlands College and Gordon State College for pathways in health and criminal justice, respectively
• Assistant Professor of First-Year Writing Dr. Jenna Harte selected to attend Governor’s Teaching Fellows Symposium
New colleges established to align industry needs with educational experiences
• Dr. James ‘Earl’ Perry College of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences, named by anonymous alumnus in memory of beloved faculty mentor
• College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
UWG cut the ribbon on a reimagined student-run bluestone public relations firm following gift by Amanda Lucey ’06
UWG cut the ribbon on newly renovated Humanities Building, following a $31.8 million renovation, with gratitude to state leadership for support
U.S. Department of Defense awarded $413,000 grant to UWG for subnanosecond timeresolved emission spectrometer for measuring changes in materials to the trillionth of a second
STUDENT EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM STUDENT EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Students attend UWG so they can gain knowledge, skills, and experiences that will serve them well post-graduation. Through experiential learning opportunities that are aligned with industry demand, UWG grants its students a competitive advantage in positioning themselves for success in their careers.
• UWG notched highest enrollment ever, with 14,400 Wolves enrolled
• UWG hosted inaugural State Agency Career Fair, with representatives from 23 state agencies engaging with 150 students
• UWG planning renovation of Bonner Lecture Hall to create world-class collaborative spaces
UWG celebrated Homecoming 2024 with “Wild, Wild West” theme
• Nonprofit Internship Program offers unique opportunities to students and organizations
• UWG student Jesimina Walker crowned Miss Carroll County in Miss Georgia’s class of 2024; Lexi Atkins crowned Miss West Georgia
• Student-run WOLF Radio nominated for National Association of Broadcasters’ Marconi Award
Esports team achieved post-season success in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Overwatch 2, Valorant, and League of Legends
UWG goes viral with mother-son military reunion at Spring Commencement, garnering 4 million views on social media
ESPN+ broadcast of athletics events entirely run by students in UWG Productions
Second class of ALETE (Academic Law Enforcement Training Exchange) cadets graduated
Finance Club visited the New York Stock Exchange and hosted second annual Wolves of Wall Street event, inviting C-suite executives to campus
DIVISION I ATHLETICS DIVISION I ATHLETICS
UWG is proud to be Home of the Wolves. Fielding 15 sports teams in NCAA Division I, UWG offers programs in football and men’s and women’s basketball, as well as baseball, softball, golf, and more. We also boast one of the most decorated cheerleading programs in the nation, having earned 29 national championships since 2001. See how We Run Together at uwgathletics.com.
Elevation to NCAA
Division I on July 1, 2024
• Five teams – Football, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Volleyball, and Soccer – earned first-ever Division I victories
UWG Cheerleading won 29th national championship
Men’s Basketball won 2024 Gulf South Conference Championship
UWG Cheer student-athletes won gold for Team USA in China
Joel Taylor started as head coach of UWG Football
BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY BUILDING A BETTER COMMUNITY
UWG continually invests in building upon and strengthening our connectivity with external partners. This work fosters strong partnerships and goodwill in the communities we serve and advances our university’s mission to advance students toward graduation and prosperous careers.
• UWG ranked third in the state, No. 73 in the nation, on social mobility by U.S. News & World Report
• UWG Athletic Foundation named new board members,
» Heather Collings ’09 ’10
» Skyler Evans
» Calvin Scandrett ’90
» Chair Jay Gill ’91
• UWG continued partnership with City of Carrollton on Maple Street corridor project
• UWG celebrated the holiday season with third annual Winter West Wonderland
• University partnering with The Birches on Maple, 55+ planned life community, for enrichment opportunities for residents
UWG nationally recognized as Campus of the Year for commitment to wellness
UWG unveiled wolf statues for Chick-fil-A and Carroll County Schools and murals for Yamaha Motor Manufacturing in Newnan
UWG unveiled mobile health unit to serve communities with medical needs
Tramaine EL-Amin, vice president for Mental Health First Aid USA, featured as keynote speaker for Women Empowering Women luncheon
Early Learning Center ranked top 15 in nation, among Harvard, Duke, Stanford
Larry Thornton, author of “Why Not Win?”, featured as keynote speaker for Black History in Business Luncheon
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024 ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2024
The incredible achievements of our alumni – now 79,000+ strong – shine as testaments to our pursuit of excellence at the University of West Georgia. Their innovative ideas, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to investing in the future inspire current and prospective students to follow in their footsteps.
• Rep. Jutt Howard ’10 newly elected to Georgia House of Representatives
• UWG alumni recognized for outstanding achievements during 2024 Alumni Awards and Thriving Under 30
• Courtney Saxon Walker ’12 ’22 (pictured left), assistant principal of Carrollton High, named 2024 National Assistant Principal of the Year
• Teresa Whitaker ’85 inducted to Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
• Monica McCarley ’94 ’01 named the 2024-25 Georgia High School Association Outstanding Theatre Educator of the Year
• Darius Emerson ’18 making strides in Atlanta art scene with brand ArtbyDme
Dr. Russell Crutchfield ’04 ’07 appointed chief operating officer in Office of Gov. Brian Kemp
Alumni named to senior leadership positions at UWG
Brandy Barker ’08 (also appointed to the Georgia Council for the Arts by Gov. Brian Kemp)
Colton Campbell ’20 (also named to the TimesGeorgian’s “40 Under 40”)
Eric Graise ’15 begins as series regular on CBS’ “Tracker,” premiering after the Super Bowl
Cameron Jay Harrelson ’24 hosts podcast to solve cold case and introduce legislation that was signed into law as the Coleman-Baker Act
Brad Mock ’12 ’15 named CEO of the Georgia Association of REALTORS
Daniel Oberst ’21 thrives as member of Savannah Bananas, viral exhibition baseball team
Allyson Bretch ’14
Sarah Powell ’14 ’17
Clint Samples ’96
GIVING WEST GIVING WEST
UWG’s foundations, alongside staff in University Advancement, build lasting relationships with alumni, supporters, and friends who invest their time, talents, and treasure in the University of West Georgia so that we collectively rise together as a community.
A gift to the UWG Foundation provides muchneeded support, helping us recruit and retain well-qualified faculty and staff; expand student
scholarship, research, and travel opportunities; and improve the holistic student experience we provide. Additionally, you can choose to direct your support toward UWG Athletics through the UWG Athletic Foundation, further enhancing the university’s athletic programs in our Division I era and the opportunities we offer student-athletes.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT UWG, VISIT WESTGA.EDU/GIVE.
• Largest gift in institution’s history established the Dr. James ‘Earl’ Perry College of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences in memory of faculty mentor by anonymous donor
• Annual A Day to Give West raises more than $1.67 million to support student experiences at UWG
• Dr. Martha Ann Saunders, retired director of First-Year Writing Program, establishes scholarship
• UWG raises record $255,000+ at Presidential Black Tie Gala
• Bob Coggin’s impact on UWG’s presence in Newnan celebrated
• Stone Center for Family Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation continues to make impact on region under leadership of Director Raja Bhattacharya
• Ribbon cut on Hatton Family Study Lounge in the Tanner Health System School of Nursing in honor of Herbert Hatton, retired pharmacist
Adamson Hall lobby honoring Sara Davenport Cadenhead ’44 rededicated by Husband Paul Cadenhead ’44
Daughter honors UWG nursing leader’s legacy with Dr. Laurie Jowers Ware Classroom dedication
Tony and Mary Tritt established Tritt Family Foundation Scholarship for working students
Tanner Health System School of Nursing celebrated impact of Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation
Alumni Glenn ’85 and Gary ’91 Kinard established Kinard Family Endowed Scholarship for students who balance education with full-time jobs
Michael and Andrea ’78 Stone harmonize art and business through philanthropy to UWG
JOIN US FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT
• 2025 Spring Football Game – Saturday, March 8
• 2025 Presidential Black Tie Gala – Saturday, March 22
• Alumni Weekend – April 25-27
• Homecoming 2025 – Saturday, Oct. 25
See more at westga.edu/calendar.
“More hands-on experience than I could’ve ever imagined.”
UWG ALMA MATER UWG ALMA MATER
In the western pines of Georgia, standing strong and true,
Our wise Alma Mater beckons to the Red and Blue.
Though you be in learning founded, youthful yet you be,
While thus guided by tradition yet you still breathe free.
Dear West Georgia, Dear West Georgia, standing strong and true,
Our wise Alma Mater beckons to the Red and the Blue.