Colleagues,
The work Tressa and I have engaged in to advance the evolution of the University of West Georgia is coming to an end this academic year. I have not been looking for a new opportunity, but a unique one came looking for me, and they made an offer we could not refuse. Today, the Board of Trustees for the Arkansas State University System voted unanimously to name me its President, providing leadership to a system of seven campuses, including the flagship of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
Tressa and I love UWG. We love the people, campuses, Carrollton (where both our sons graduated from Carrollton High School), the communities we have had the privilege of serving, and, most importantly, the students to which we have had the honor to serve. We love the relationships we have developed with so many friends and colleagues who have changed our lives simply by being connected to you.
Serving as President of this institution is one of the greatest privileges of my life and represents what, I believe, is some of the best work we could do in higher education. New academic programs, a new named college of Mathematics, Computing, and Sciences, the move to Division I Athletics, a renewed Humanities Building, enhanced physical campuses, the UWG Research Corporation, partnerships with the City of Carrollton and Carroll County, the best fundraising results in our history, recognition as the Campus of the Year by the Institute for Well-Being, our highest retention rates in history, and so many others have marked the culmination of the work of many incredible professionals and supporters during the last nearly five years.
It has been work based on cathedral thinking. The evolution of a university is never complete because the institution is rooted in human innovation and connectedness. It changes and evolves…always. In all instances in which cathedral thinking is effectively applied, the same model is required: a far-reaching vision, a well-thought-out blueprint, and a shared commitment to long-term implementation. I believe UWG is positioned to realize that far-reaching vision and implement the blueprint, even though we will not be here to finish that work with you.
For those of us who serve on volunteer service boards or work for public universities, we are stewards of the institutions for the time that we are in those roles. I believe strongly that we are supposed to work diligently, relentlessly, and persistently during those periods of service to advance the evolution of the university (starting new initiatives, securing new resources, solving persistent problems, planting seeds for the successes of the future, strengthening existing points of excellence and opportunity). We have spent our time at this institution trying to plant seeds, knowing that others would enjoy the shade of the mature trees.
Tressa and I both wish we could have the opportunity to continue to steward to the success of this institution, however, the time for our contributions is coming to an end. That being said, we have nothing but incredible confidence in and optimism about the future of the University of West Georgia and how it will continue to elevate. UWG is a special place, and there is no doubt in our minds that you will continue to create magic in people’s lives and careers for many, many years to come.
I will begin my service to the Arkansas State University System beginning in early fall. In the meantime, I will be fully invested in advancing current initiatives and ensuring a warm handoff and smooth transition of leadership for UWG as directed by Chancellor Perdue.
I am so grateful for this place, the people we have come to know, and the incredible privilege to serve as your President. Once a Wolf, always a Wolf.
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 | Dr. Brendan Kelly
President
University of West Georgia
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