Dr. Bonita Jacobs is the 17th president of North Georgia College & State University and the first woman to preside at the 138-year-old institution. She is also only the second woman to lead one of the country’s six senior military colleges. North Georgia College & State University initially planned to observe a time-honored academic tradition of formally installing President Jacobs during an inauguration celebration on March 23, 2012. However, due to the pending consolidation with Gainesville State College, the university expects to reschedule the celebration for spring 2013.
The consolidations are expected to become effective in 2013 and are contingent upon approval by the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the accrediting body for both North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College.
"An inauguration is a celebration of the institution and is about more than the president. It seems like we would be leaving out half of our constituents by continuing with plans to hold the inauguration this spring," President Jacobs said. "We will develop plans for an event in the early fall to celebrate our future together as a consolidated entity."
University inaugurations date back to centuries-old academic customs that formally acknowledge a change in leadership at the school’s highest level. Today, university inaugurations typically occur during the year following the appointment of a new president and include a ceremonial investiture of presidential authority and various activities focused on celebrating the institution’s mission and identity.
“We will use the inauguration as a means to celebrate the university's tradition of excellence and the promise the future holds for this great school and our students, as well as raise much-needed funds for student scholarships” President Jacobs said.
President Jacobs assumed the full responsibilities and duties of president of North Georgia College & State University on July 1, 2011. The installation is an academic ceremony designed to introduce the new president to the community and provide an opportunity for her to communicate her vision for the institution.
The inauguration theme – Building on a Tradition of Excellence: Scholarship, Leadership, Service – was developed based on President Jacobs’ vision to further strengthen North Georgia’s national reputation for achieving distinction in these areas.