| Tell us about your city (founding year, notable events/history, festivals, notable residents, etc.) |
Milledgeville was founded by European Americans in 1803 and was named after Georgia governor John Milledge (in office 1802–1806). The city served as the capital of Georgia from 1804 to 1868, including during the American Civil War. Visitors can explore historic sites like Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion, home to the governors of Georgia from 1838 to 1868, or Andalusia Farm, home of famous American author Flannery O’Connor.
Downtown Milledgeville is a great complement to the welcoming atmosphere of Georgia College. Milledgeville is a true college town, offering a great combination of restaurants, bars, shopping, cultural events, outdoor activities and more. Most importantly, Milledgeville is a safe and inviting place where GC students can relax and enjoy themselves. |
| What are your school's unique traditions? |
Georgia College holds a special meaning to everyone who has ever been part of our GC family. But beyond the personal experiences is a legacy of heritage and tradition that is shared by every student past, present, and future. Tradition is an important part of the Georgia College experience and a great source of pride. Some examples of Georgia College traditions:
The Georgia College Fight Song - "Here Comes the Thunder"
Composed by: Terrance J. Brown
Lyrics by: Marcus Green, Paul Rossetti
The Georgia College Alma Mater, which was originally composed in 1965 by Ruth Sandiford Garrard, is played on the university carillon (musical chimes) at 11:55 a.m. on Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, and at 12:20 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Week of Welcome - A new place, with new people, and new expectations can be a stressful experience. WoW is a week-long welcoming period which assists the newest members of the university in meeting classmates, faculty and staff, and in better understanding the University and its procedures. Activities include social events as well as seminars and workshops designed to help ease the transition from high school. It's fun and it's helpful.
On Front Campus is a marble depiction of our school mascot. It is considered bad luck to step on the bobcat head!
Bobcat Fridays – GC students wear blue and green each Friday.
Midnight Breakfast - Each semester on the night before final exams, faculty and staff serve a full breakfast to students in the dining hall.
Outside of Arts & Sciences is the Make-A-Wish Fountain. The location is a hub for student organizations to share information and all money collected from the fountain is donated to grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
The Green Towel is a spirit towel for athletic events and a travel towel for faculty, staff and alumni. As members of the GC community travel, the take picture with the Green Towel to show the global reach of the university.
One of the most exciting times on campus is the week of Homecoming. The week includes a community service event; trivia night; murder mystery show; concert; parade; Tent City; Mr. and Ms. Georgia College; and, of course, the Homecoming basketball game. Homecoming is a time for students, alumni, faculty and staff to celebrate our Georgia College pride. |
| Tell us about your school's founding and history. |
Georgia College was chartered in 1889 as Georgia Normal and Industrial College. At the time, the emphasis was largely vocational, and its major task was to prepare young women for teaching or industrial careers.
In 1917, in keeping with economic and cultural changes in the state, Georgia Normal and Industrial College was authorized to grant 4-year degrees, the first of which was awarded in 1921.
Georgia Normal & Industrial College changed to Georgia State College for Women in 1922, with a new mission as a teacher's college with courses including psychology, home economics, English, math, art, science, recreation and music.
In 1961, the schools name changed to Woman's College of Georgia.
In 1967, when the institution became coeducational, the university became Georgia College at Milledgeville. The name was shortened to Georgia College in 1971.
The Board of Regents approved a change of name to Georgia College & State University in 1996 along with the new mission as Georgia's Public Liberal Arts University.
Today Georgia College serves more than 6,600 undergraduate and graduate students in four colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business, the John H. Lounsbury College of Education and the College of Health Sciences -- with a faculty of more than 300. In addition to the Milledgeville campus, Georgia College provides some graduate programs online. |
| What is your school's mascot? What was it originally (if different). What is the history of the mascots you have had? |
The official mascot of Georgia College is the bobcat, which was adopted in 1998. The costumed bobcat mascot is named Thunder. Prior to that, the mascot was the Colonials which was established in 1968 as Georgia College began participation in intercollegiate athletics. |
| What awards or recognition has your school received? |
National
#17 2020 Best Online Graduate Business Programs (Excluding MBA) - US News & World Report
#19 Top 25 Online Nurse Practitioner Master's Degree for 2018 - TheBestCollege.org
#20 Best Online Master’s in Supply Chain Management Programs, 2018 - TheBestSchools.org
#20 Top 25 BA Theatre Programs, 2019 - On Stage Blog
#28 2020 Best Online Graduate Nursing Program - US News & World Report
#3 Top 6 Public Universities in the State, 2019 - Forbes
#32 Best Online Master's In Music Education Programs - Best Research Based Education, 2019 - OnlineMasters.com
#40 2020 Best Online MBA Program - US News & World Report
#5 Affordable Online Master’s in Public Administration Programs, 2018 - AffordableColleges.com
#7 Best Early Childhood Education Programs 2018 - BestValueSchools.org
Top Colleges America's Top Colleges, 2020 - Forbes
Regional
#10 Best Colleges for Veterans, 2020 - U.S. News & World Report
#10 Top Public Schools, Regional, 2018 - U.S. News & World Report
#4 Most Innovative School, Regional, 2020 - U.S. News & World Report
#4 Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs, South, 2020 - U.S. News & World Report
#59 Best Value Schools, Regional, 2020 - US News & World Report
Best Southeastern Colleges 2020 Best Colleges: Region by Region - Princeton Review
State
#1 2020 Best Nursing Programs - RegisteredNursing.org
#5 Top Five Public University in Georgia, 2020 - Money Magazine
#6 Top Public Universities in Georgia, 2020 - Best Colleges in America |
| What notable alumni has the school had? |
Sherrilyn Kenyon, bestselling writer
Helen Matthews Lewis, sociologist, historian, and activist
Tanvi Ganesh Lonkar, Slumdog Millionaire actress
Susan Dowdell Myrick, journalist, educator, author, and conservationist
Tony Nicely, former CEO of GEICO
Flannery O'Connor, writer and essayist |
| What is the mission of your institution? |
Georgia College is the state’s only designated public liberal arts university. We fulfill this mission through a commitment to:
An Expansive Educational Experience.
We challenge our students through exemplary teaching. The Georgia College student will think clearly and critically in creatively addressing social issues.
Undergraduate study encompasses multi-disciplinary intellectual encounters with both enduring and contemporary questions, intensive study in the major, exposure to artistic endeavors, opportunities for scholarly research, and capstone experiences that integrate and apply learning.
Post-baccalaureate programs bridge the gap between theory and practice with a focus on regional needs, preparing graduates for professional advancement, lifelong intellectual pursuits, and informed participation in today’s complex society.
Highly Intentional Engagement.
We collaborate with community partners to address mutually identified needs while advancing students’ academic and civic learning, in crafting informed, global citizens ready to serve the public good. Engagement opportunities include undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, community service, and leadership experiences, both in and outside the classroom.
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence.
We foster a sense of belonging within a campus community that values diversity of intellectual thought, experiences and identifications. Georgia College faculty, staff, and students intentionally embrace inclusivity to advance excellence through diversity.
Preparation for Leadership.
We encourage all students to develop a breadth of leadership competencies, including self-awareness, empathy for cultural differences, and effective interpersonal communication. Georgia College students become leaders through engagement with purposeful curricular and co-curricular leadership experiences. |
| What kind of community engagement activities has your school and athletic department conducted? |
GC Gives - Every fall, Georgia College partners with Keep Milledgeville Baldwin Beautiful to hold GC Gives. All incoming first-year students are placed with over 50 organizations in the local community to serve alongside fellow students and community members. Dance Marathon (DM) is a 12-hour lock-in benefitting the Children's Miracle Network Hospital of Macon. It's hosted by Georgia College Miracle which is the largest fundraiser on Georgia College's campus, raising money year-round for the Children's Hospital. Potato Drop is an awareness project that feeds roughly 130,000 people in the local community. We have 40,000 pounds of potatoes dropped on campus and volunteers will help process, bag and load potatoes for community partners. |
| Any other fun facts about your school or athletic department you want to share? |
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| What are your social media accounts? |
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook: @gcbobcats |