The runnin' regent [Vol. 8, no. 5 (July 2002)]

July 2002
The Runnin' Regent
The Board of Regents System Office Newsletter
Chancellor's Inauguration
Pomp and Circumstance Under the Gold Dome

Volume 8, No. 5

On June 12, ChancellorThomas C. Meredith (center) was inagurated as the 10th chancellor of the University System of Georgia during a ceremony at the State Capitol chock full of academic regalia and pageantry. Senior Vice Chancellors Dan Papp (at left with mace) and Corlis Cummings (far right with banner) led an academic procession that included (at top left), Frank Butler (left), vice chancellor for academic, faculty and student affairs, George Wingblade (center), interim vice chancellor for facilities, and Randall Thursby (right), vice chancellor for information and instructional technology and the System's chief information officer. Also marching in the procession were (at bottom right), Christina Hobbs (left), business development manager, Hilliard Gastfriend (center), an information analyst in Advanced Learning Technology, and Marci Middleton (right), coordinator of University System information.

Senior Vice Chancellor for External Activities and Facilities Tom Daniel (shown at top right speaking) delivered official greetings from the University System Office staff during the inauguration on June 12. Daniel's characteristic wit and dedication to service were evident in his remarks, the full text of which is included here.

C hancellor Meredith, on behalf of my associates in the University System Office, it is my honor and privilege today to welcome you as our new chancellor.
Word has reached us of your youthful exploits as a pre-eminent basketball player on the highly

competitive courts of Kentucky. Obviously, you know how to move -- with or without the ball. As your staff, so do we.
We also are aware of your leadership as a coach of a championship high school baseball team. You recognize the importance of
See "Inauguration," Page 2...

Budget Director Usha Ramachandran (shown above left giving last-minute guidance to University of Georgia President Michael F. Adams, who delivered greetings from the USG presidents) chaired the Inaugural Committee that orchestrated the entire event from start to finish.
Inauguration
Continued from Page 1
fundamentals of the little things that make up a winning season. So do we -- your staff also understands the fundamentals -- we pay attention to the details.
Your prestigious and welldocumented career has provided you with countless enriching experiences across the entire educational spectrum. It has provided

you with opportunities and experiences both broad and deep.
We too represent a wide range of backgrounds, strengths and experiences.
Your staff stands ready to help you use that experience and your keen insights in your work here in Georgia.
We welcome you to this great state -- where educational promise and opportunity are as bright as the Dahlonega gold on this capitol dome, as tall as a Georgia pine, as strong as Elberton granite and as plentiful as peaches and peanuts and kudzu.
We are ready and eager to take the field -- or the court -- under your leadership.
It is with a sense of honor, a sense of responsibility to you and the Board of Regents and, most importantly, a sense of excitement, that this staff begins a new era of achievement in public higher education under your leadership.
We dedicate our time and our talents to you and this high calling."

Robb Watts Appointed USG's Senior Policy Advisor

Rob Watts, who has served as interim president of Middle Georgia College for the past year and interim president of Floyd College during 2000-2001, has been named senior policy advisor for the University System.

System, Watts worked from 1982 to 1986 as a budget officer in the Georgia General Assembly's Legislative Budget Office. He previously had served as a Humanities Scholar in Residence for the General Assembly, from 1980 to 1982.

Watts will focus on issues affecting the University System's two-year colleges and on a variety of special projects assigned to him by Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith.
Watts served as executive vice president for financial and administrative affairs at Georgia Perimeter College from 1991 to 2000 and director of institutional research and planning for that institution from 1986 to 1991.
Before joining the University

Watts earned both a bachelor's degree in religion and English and a master's degree in religion from Florida State University, in Tallahassee. He also holds a master's degree in international public policy from the Nitze School for Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, in Washington, D.C. Watts currently is enrolled in the joint doctoral program in public policy studies at Georgia State University and Georgia Tech.

Linda Daniels Named Vice Chancellor for Facilities
Following a national search, Senior Vice Chancellor for External Activities and Facilities Tom Daniel has named Linda Daniels to fill the vacancy created when Bill Chatham retired in December 2001, as vice chancellor for facilities.
Daniels, who has served as assistant vice chancellor for design and construction for the System since 1998 and a member of the University System Office staff since 1992, will assume her new duties on July 16. George Wingblade, who has been serving as interim vice chancellor since January, will return to his duties at South Georgia College.
"We are excited about the dedication, commitment, knowledge and energy that Linda will bring to this critical position," Daniel said in announcing the appointment. "Her many years of experience with the System's facilities projects should serve her extremely well as she moves to this new level of responsibility."
Daniels is a registered architect with 24 years of experience in the facilities arena, including the longrange planning, master planning and maintenance of buildings and campuses.
As assistant vice chancellor for design and construction, Daniels manages an active capital improvement program of over $2 billion. She manages five program managers who serve as liaisons for the 34 USG campuses and also hires and supervises outside consultants for various projects. She worked her way up at the System Office from project architect (1992-1995) to director of planning (1995-1998).
Daniels holds degrees in environmental design and architecture from Auburn University.