This week, the Cabinet and I were honored to attend the University System of Georgia Chancellor’s Service Excellence Awards ceremony. Each year, the USG recognizes individuals, teams, and institutions who exemplify the five attributes of service excellence: respectful, accessible, informed, supportive and responsive.
There are eight categories: Outstanding Individual, Outstanding Team, Outstanding Leader, Service to Students, Effectiveness and Efficiency, Front Desk Support, Outstanding Institution of the Year and President, and Service Excellence Ambassador of the Year. In each category, there are three winners—bronze, silver, and gold.
Middle Georgia State was nominated for Institution of the Year and President. And, in our first year as a university, we won the gold! I emphasize we because every single one of us contributed to the accomplishments that led to this recognition.
Whether your role at Middle Georgia State is in the classroom, behind a desk, on the grounds, or out in the community, our work together requires daily excellence in service. I am humbled by this honor and look forward to celebrating with faculty and staff across all of our campuses in the weeks to come.
Many of the endeavors that led to our USG award are also highlighted in our first President’s Annual Report: Greatness in the Making. The report just went to print and I am excited to share the online version with all of you today.
Service excellence speaks to greatness in the making. It is our commitment to service and to greatness that drives our efforts under Middle Georgia State’s Strategic Plan, on which the Provost will soon provide an update.
As we reflect on an excellent first year, one thing is clear. At Middle Georgia State, it is the people who make the difference. Thank you all for what you do to strengthen our university, our students, and our region.