Thousands of alumni, students, faculty and community members celebrated "U Day."
Throwback Thursday
9/12/2013 9:28:00 AM | General
University status approved as Georgia Southern embarks on ambitious new journey as first university south of Atlanta
At Georgia Southern, there are more than a few days regarded as having historical significance. While "Throwback Thursday," features great images from the past, these days could be considered "Throw Forward Thursday," as these moments in time that forever changed the course of the institution and the Statesboro/Bulloch County community it serves.
December 1, 1906 is first and foremost on that list, when members of the community learned their attractive bid of land, cash and utilities was accepted for the future site of "the college," First District Agricultural and Mechanical. As "the college" transformed so many lives, it, too, was part of change and advanced its purpose and mission. As Georgia Teacher's College, one of the last remaining dedicated teachers colleges, became Georgia Southern College in 1959, a spectrum of disciplines and graduate programs were now offered.
A homecoming float pictured in an early 1970s yearbook boasted large letters spelling "Georgia Southern University" atop architectural columns and featured symbols representing higher education and the Eagle mascot. The community, starting first with the dream of having college in the 1900s, had now set its sights on University status.
After many years of debate and discussion, all the pieces were in place to make the request for Georgia Southern College to be elevated to Georgia Southern University. On September 13th of 1989 the final vote would be cast, and with an 11-2 approval, Georgia Southern earned university status, becoming the first university south of Atlanta. Jim Hite, staff writer for the Statesboro Herald, called from a pay phone after the vote at the Board of Regents meeting and a special evening edition of the newspaper proclaimed "University: Yes!"
Not quite 10 months later, the community and campus turned out en masse to celebrate University status – "U Day." Thousands gathered at the main entrance to hear proclamations and speeches and bask in the joy of those moments. The new sign with "Georgia Southern University" was unveiled as the clock struck midnight, July 1, 1990, and fireworks lit up the sky. Thousands of conversations and deliberations had taken place to achieve this milestone and set the University on the path for even greater success.
Now, for this University and for both its academic and athletics ambitions, another journey has just begun.
December 1, 1906 is first and foremost on that list, when members of the community learned their attractive bid of land, cash and utilities was accepted for the future site of "the college," First District Agricultural and Mechanical. As "the college" transformed so many lives, it, too, was part of change and advanced its purpose and mission. As Georgia Teacher's College, one of the last remaining dedicated teachers colleges, became Georgia Southern College in 1959, a spectrum of disciplines and graduate programs were now offered.
A homecoming float pictured in an early 1970s yearbook boasted large letters spelling "Georgia Southern University" atop architectural columns and featured symbols representing higher education and the Eagle mascot. The community, starting first with the dream of having college in the 1900s, had now set its sights on University status.
After many years of debate and discussion, all the pieces were in place to make the request for Georgia Southern College to be elevated to Georgia Southern University. On September 13th of 1989 the final vote would be cast, and with an 11-2 approval, Georgia Southern earned university status, becoming the first university south of Atlanta. Jim Hite, staff writer for the Statesboro Herald, called from a pay phone after the vote at the Board of Regents meeting and a special evening edition of the newspaper proclaimed "University: Yes!"
Not quite 10 months later, the community and campus turned out en masse to celebrate University status – "U Day." Thousands gathered at the main entrance to hear proclamations and speeches and bask in the joy of those moments. The new sign with "Georgia Southern University" was unveiled as the clock struck midnight, July 1, 1990, and fireworks lit up the sky. Thousands of conversations and deliberations had taken place to achieve this milestone and set the University on the path for even greater success.
Now, for this University and for both its academic and athletics ambitions, another journey has just begun.
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