Nathaniel Hansford has announced that he will retire early next year.
"I have now served as president of North Georgia College & State University for five
most enjoyable and productive years," Hansford said. "We have come a long way."
But, he said the school faces some "long-term challenges that require a commitment of leadership for several years into the future."
Hansford added "After much deliberation, I have reached the conclusion that I am unable to commit for another five-year period."
Former Chancellor Stephen Portch of the University System of Georgia, named Hansford
the university's 19th president on July 1, 1999. Founded in 1873, NGCSU is the
Military College of Georgia and one of only six Senior Military Colleges in the
nation.
Chancellor Thomas Meredith of the University System of Georgia said the system staff and the Board of Regents will begin a
national presidential search process in the near future to replace Hansford.
"North Georgia is a special and unique institution, and I am proud to have been a
part of it," Hansford said. "It has been my goal to strengthen the foundation of the
university, to enrich its singular educational environment and help prepare it for
the future."
During Hansford's tenure at NGCSU, he has brought about a number of changes to the
university, including:
· Leadership Initiative - With funding from the Board of Regents and Georgia's
General Assembly, Hansford obtained matching funds to establish a Special
Leadership/Military Initiative office on campus, establish the state's first
Leadership Minor for students in the Corps of Cadets, as well as students in all
academic areas of campus.
"This leadership training across the campus, I believe, has helped to unify our
students and our faculty in support of our core leadership and military mission,"
Hansford said.
· Corps of Cadets advanced - When Hansford took office, the corps numbered about
450 cadets in the fall term. That number grew to more than 600 cadets participating
in the nationally recognized military program as of fall 2003, with possibly 700
cadets for the next academic year.
"We look forward to the Corps of Cadets and our ROTC program moving into the new
Military Leadership Center building, which will open this fall," Hansford said.
· Graduation and Retention Rates - North Georgia's record in retaining students
after they enter the university to their graduation within six years is the best of
Georgia's 13 state universities.
"No other state university in the University System of Georgia ranks higher than
North Georgia in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of colleges and
universities," the president said. "We have been able to maintain our academic
standards even in light of significant budget cuts and reductions in resources."
· Increased private funding - During the president's years at North Georgia, there
has been a 50 percent increase in the number of alumni donors to the institution, a
threefold increase in unrestricted gifts, and annual operating support for the
university from the NGCSU Foundation has doubled.
· Expanded campus - Under Hansford's leadership, the size of the main campus has
more than doubled, thanks to strategic purchases of more than 200 acres of nearby
land by the NGCSU Foundation plus advance planning for the university's future
growth. The baseball and softball complex has been improved. A new plant operations
building will provide support and infrastructure for the university's future.
· Health & Natural Sciences Building - Opened in 2002, the new campus building is
among the finest science facilities in the nation.
· John H. Owen Hall - The university's first privately funded residence hall opened
August 2002 at a cost of more than $11 million, funded through the NGCSU Foundation.
· Enrollment growth - From a student population of 3,525 in 1999 to 4,517 in 2003
year, enrollment increased by 28 percent in four years.
· Strategic Planning - in 2003, Hansford formed and headed a campuswide committee
to create a five-year strategic plan that officially took effect in January 2004.
The long-term plan incorporated input from the campus, community, alumni and
contributors to the university in planning future directions for NGCSU.
· Off-campus programs - Under Hansford's leadership, the university's academic
programs offered at Gainesville College have been increased and strengthened, and
North Georgia classes are now offered in Cumming, Ga., for the convenience of
residents of Forsyth County and nearby communities.
· Direct support organizations have grown - The NGCSU Alumni Association and the
NGCSU Foundation have expanded in recent years. The NGCSU Athletic Association has
been reorganized and invigorated during the past few months.
"One of the highlights of my tenure as president has been the formation of the NGCSU
Parents Association," said Hansford, adding that he plans to present a special award
to this organization during Parents-Alumni Weekend in April.
Prior to coming to North Georgia, Hansford was the dean of the School of Law at the
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, beginning in 1986.
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