[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 31, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S6110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL F. ADAMS

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to 
the career of Dr. Michael F. Adams, who stepped down as president of 
the University of Georgia on June 30 after 16 years of dedicated 
service to our State university.
  Dr. Adams became president on June 11, 1997, and he immediately began 
his work to make the University of Georgia one of the Nation's top 
public research universities. Under his leadership, UGA has excelled 
tremendously and student quality has risen steadily. He is one of 
America's best known and longest serving university presidents.
  Dr. Adams' dedication to improving the university's facilities and 
infrastructure is evident upon visiting the campus. He secured over $1 
billion in new construction programs through his foundation of the UGA 
Real Estate Foundation. The university has undergone incredible 
renovations and now boasts the nation's most state-of-the-art 
facilities. Adams has overseen the construction of the East Campus 
Village, the Georgia Museum of Art, the Tate Student Center and the 
Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library. His commitment to 
providing students with the best learning environment is apparent 
throughout the highly impressive and ever-improving campus.
  Under Adams' leadership, the University of Georgia has achieved the 
highest rankings in its history, with the U.S. News and World Report 
ranking UGA in its top 20 public research universities for 8 out of the 
past 10 years. Student enrollment has grown from 29,000 to 35,000 
students. UGA has become more selective and student quality is at its 
best. Adams oversaw the establishment of five new colleges and schools, 
increasing the diversity of academic programs and fields of study. 
While the university continued to excel academically, the Georgia 
Bulldogs' rich tradition of athletics flourished as well, with 27 
national championship titles, 58 SEC Titles, and 125 individual titles.
  It comes as no surprise Adams has received over 50 awards in higher 
education throughout his time with the university, including the Knight 
Foundation Award for Presidential Leadership, the Pioneer Award for 
Leadership in Civil Rights, and the James T. Rogers Award, the highest 
honor bestowed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. He 
has also been listed as one of Georgia Trend magazine's Most 
Influential Georgians for 11 years in a row.
  I am honored to have attended the University of Georgia and grateful 
for all that President Adams has done to make it the educational 
standard that it is today. I thank him for his service to the 
University of Georgia and to our great State.

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