Dr. Michael Johnson
The University of West Georgia continues to gain momentum nationally, President Dr. Michael Johnson said Wednesday during his 2026 State of the University address, highlighting record enrollment, historic student-success outcomes, growing research activity and an ambitious goal to become one of the nation’s top 150 public universities.
Addressing students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts, Johnson celebrated a year marked by significant progress across the institution, including UWG’s continued climb in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. The university rose 14 positions among public universities, moving from No. 203 to No. 189 nationally, while improving 12 spots in the publication’s social mobility rankings to No. 75 nationwide.
“This institution was founded on the belief that education could create opportunity,” Johnson told the audience. “They believed it could change the course of a life, and in doing so, change the future of a family and a community. One hundred and twenty years later, that belief is still at the heart of our mission.”
Johnson noted that UWG welcomed nearly 17,000 students this fall, the largest enrollment in university history and another milestone in the institution’s growth trajectory. He also celebrated the largest freshman class since 2020 and improvements in student persistence, credit-hour completion and graduation outcomes.
Johnson said the university’s data suggest continued gains in retention and student progression could accelerate future graduation-rate improvements.
Johnson emphasized that enrollment growth remains meaningful only if students succeed after they arrive. He highlighted improvements in first-year credit-hour completion, retention and graduation rates, noting that UWG’s six-year graduation rate reached a record 46.8% and that current trends position the university to surpass its original 53% graduation goal ahead of schedule.
Research and innovation were also major themes throughout the address. Johnson announced that sponsored research expenditures reached $8 million this year and that faculty secured $5.89 million in grant awards, the university’s highest annual total in more than a decade.
Among the accomplishments highlighted was a $3.6 million federal grantawarded to Dr. Kelly Dyar and Dr. Amy Yarbrough in the Tanner Health School of Nursing, the largest grant in UWG history. Johnson also recognized Dr. Josh Byrd of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences for earning the university’s first provisional patent application through his development of a custom 3D-printed conducting wand with integrated lighting.
Johnson also announced a $15 million institutional investment in research and innovation over the next five years, calling it a critical step toward both the university’s $50 million research-expenditure goal and its pursuit of Carnegie R2 research university status.
“Today, I am announcing that the University of West Georgia will invest $15 million over the next five years to accelerate research and innovation. Three million dollars a year,” Johnson said. “We can talk about becoming a stronger research university. We can set goals and compare ourselves with other institutions. But at some point, ambition has to be matched by action because research universities are not built by ambition alone.”
Johnson also highlighted major campus development projects, including the opening of the renovated and renamed Dr. James ‘Earl’ Perry Building and The Foundry, along with ongoing investments in Pafford Hall and the new Scholars Walk and Pedestrian Plaza.
Philanthropy played a central role in the address as well. Johnson reported that gifts to the university totaled $10.1 million during fiscal year 2026, while A Day to Give West generated a record-setting $4.5 million, the most successful fundraising day in the campaign’s 44-year history.
Johnson noted that UWG’s endowment has grown from $35.7 million to $64.7 million over the past five years, an increase of $29 million that he said reflects growing confidence in the university’s future.
The address concluded with a challenge to the campus community.
“I believe the University of West Georgia should become one of the Top 150 public universities in America,” Johnson said. “I don’t mean a number in a magazine. I mean a university where more students who begin here finish here. That is what this ambition must mean for the people we serve.”
Johnson emphasized that the goal is not simply about rankings, but about strengthening student outcomes, expanding research capacity and increasing the university’s impact across the state.
“Today, that opportunity belongs to us,” Johnson said. “We have the opportunity to build a university where more students graduate, where our faculty make discoveries that change lives, and where our graduates help shape the future of this state.”
The event opened and closed with performances by the UWG Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Karen Graffius, with the closing selection accompanied by the UWG Wind Ensemble under Byrd’s direction. Associate Professor and Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Martin McPhail introduced Johnson following a Veterans Day recognition honoring military veterans and active-duty service members in attendance.
The full address was livestreamed and recorded for future viewing on YouTube.
Author: Colton Campbell
