The University of Georgia (UGA) experienced a notable year in 2025, with students, faculty, and programs receiving a range of honors. The university’s activities included significant research breakthroughs, competitive grants, national awards, and high-profile publications.
In January, UGA announced plans for a $115.7 million renovation of Creswell Hall. The project aims to modernize the 1963 residence hall while preserving its historical role on campus. According to the university, renovating instead of replacing the building is expected to save approximately $54 million.
Also in January, faculty from the College of Pharmacy secured nearly $1.2 million from the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust for a two-year initiative targeting opioid addiction in rural areas. The project will provide pharmacists with training and resources to support individuals at risk for overdose.
February saw UGA’s School of Medicine achieve candidate status from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), marking progress toward full accreditation for its medical degree program. Full preliminary accreditation is anticipated by February 2026.
Additionally in February, Hitesh Handa and Ron Orlando were named Regents’ Entrepreneurs by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents for their success in translating research into commercial applications.
March brought record numbers for undergraduate admissions: over 15,800 students were accepted out of nearly 48,000 applicants for fall 2025—a rise of about 5,000 applications compared to the previous year—with an acceptance rate of 33%. Accepted students represented all U.S. states and most counties in Georgia.
That month also included outreach efforts as UGA hosted high school juniors and seniors from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta on campus. Artis Stevens, an alumnus and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, delivered the Holmes-Hunter Lecture during their visit.
In April, senior Mercedes Bengs was named a Truman Scholar—one of only 54 undergraduates nationwide selected—and three juniors received Barry Goldwater Scholarships recognizing achievement in mathematics, engineering, and natural sciences.
Researchers at Grady College found that many communication organizations lack strategies to address errors made by artificial intelligence systems; they also noted that humanizing chatbots could improve user attitudes toward AI-driven content.
May saw Benjamin C. Ayers appointed as senior vice president for academic affairs and provost after serving as dean at Terry College since 2014. He succeeded S. Jack Hu who became chancellor at University of California, Riverside.
The university launched its chapter of the National Academy of Inventors with 31 founding members across disciplines—including seven NAI Fellows—to foster innovation among faculty inventors.
June highlighted research led by Dan Suiter on Asian needle ants as their spread increased allergy risks nationally this summer. UGA also reported that it is among nine public institutions with a six-year graduation rate above 90%, while noting that within six months after graduation, 95% find employment or continue education.
In July following concerns about Asian needle ants’ spread across multiple states including Georgia—posing threats to hardwood trees and agricultural crops—UGA researchers raised awareness about another invasive species: spotted lanternfly sightings expanded into Fulton County and other states this summer.
University fundraising reached new heights during fiscal year ending June 30: more than $300 million was raised from over 72,460 donors supporting scholarships and key initiatives such as the new School of Medicine—the first time annual fundraising surpassed this amount (https://www.alumni.uga.edu/record-fundraising-2025).
August featured UGA researchers classifying fragments from the McDonough Meteorite that landed in Atlanta; analysis revealed they formed more than four billion years ago—older than Earth itself—and are now housed within Franklin College’s geology department collection.
Public art conservation took place at Georgia Museum of Art where conservator Larry Shutts restored Joan Mitchell’s painting “Close” before audiences—a process timed with what would have been Mitchell’s centennial birthday celebration (https://georgiamuseum.org/joan-mitchell-conservation).
September marked UGA’s tenth consecutive top-20 placement among public universities according to U.S News & World Report rankings; it shared No.19 nationally alongside Purdue University (https://news.uga.edu/us-news-rankings-2026). Students contributed locally through Dawg Day of Service volunteering with community partners throughout Athens-area sites ranging from food pantries to animal rescues (https://servicelearning.uga.edu/dawg-day-of-service-2025).
October brought publication in Science journal showing no post-pandemic rebound in disease rates feared after COVID-19 lockdowns—in fact some diseases declined—with flu incidence remaining low even after behaviors normalized according to Odum School researchers (https://www.science.org/uga-disease-study). Other studies emphasized family support’s importance for children facing adverse experiences; ongoing encouragement can reduce destructive behaviors later on (https://publichealth.uga.edu/adverse-childhood-experiences-study).
In November UGA received Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award recognizing economic engagement impacts through strategic community-centered work resulting in hundreds of millions invested publicly and privately over ten years (https://aplu.org/innovation-award-uga). Entrepreneurship Program students participated in NASA T2U initiative giving them access to NASA patents for commercialization ideas—the first such collaboration at UGA (https://entrepreneurship.uga.edu/nasa-t2u-program-launch).
December milestones included placing final beams atop School of Medicine’s education/research building; completion is scheduled December 2026 while planning continues on interiors/furnishings/equipment decisions moving forward (https://medicine.uga.edu/building-update-december-2025). Senior Finn Walsh became one of just forty-three Marshall Scholars nationwide—the only recipient from any institution statewide—for fully funded graduate study opportunities abroad.
“UGA has been named the 2025 recipient of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities’ Innovation & Economic Prosperity Award in the ‘Place’ category,” stated university officials regarding recent recognition efforts.”These awards recognize exemplary and innovative case studies…impact.”
