GCSU President Cathy Cox highlighted record enrollment, major philanthropic gains and national recognition during the 2026 State of the University Address.
The address, delivered Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in Russell Auditorium, continued a long-standing university tradition in which the president reflects on recent accomplishments and outlines priorities for the years ahead. Student Government Association (SGA) leaders, faculty, staff and community members were among those in attendance.
“The start of a new year always brings promise,” President Cox said. “Since 2022, GCSU has experienced a period of unprecedented growth.”
President Cox pointed to record enrollment figures as a major indicator of that growth. The university reported an enrollment of 7,300 students last year, the highest in its history, along with a 3% increase in applications compared with 2022. She also emphasized the university’s continued commitment to service, noting that 100% of students participate in community service initiatives.
Philanthropy was another focal point of the address. President Cox announced a 100% increase in philanthropic giving to the university, including a $9 million donation from Gertrude Ehrlich, a 1963 GCSU alumna who fled Nazi Germany as a child. The gift establishes a need-based scholarship fund aimed at expanding access for local students.
President Cox described Ehrlich’s story as emblematic of the institution’s values and mission. “Wherever two or more are gathered, I sing GCSU’s praises,” President Cox said, crediting alumni support as a driving force behind the university’s progress.
The president additionally highlighted national rankings and student success metrics, referring to the current academic year as the university’s “year of five.” Among the distinctions, GCSU was ranked the No. 5 best public college in the South and No. 5 for undergraduate teaching among public and private institutions in the region. The university also marked its fifth consecutive year ranking No. 1 for academic success rate, according to President Cox.
In addition, five GCSU students were awarded U.S. government-funded grants for international academic exchange known as Fulbright scholarships, emphasizing what President Cox described as the institution’s strong academic culture and global engagement.
Campus improvements were another area of emphasis. Recent and ongoing projects include the growth of the esports lab, a new music rehearsal hall, an alumni welcome center and renovations to Herty Hall. President Cox then noted improvements to campus security, with additional details available through the university’s official website.
“These investments reflect our commitment to providing students with spaces that support learning, creativity and safety,” President Cox said.
President Cox cited the university’s broader impact beyond campus, stating that GCSU contributes an estimated $333 million annually to the regional economy. She framed that figure as evidence of the institution’s role as both an educational and economic anchor for the community.
The address coincided with a milestone year for the university’s identity as Georgia’s designated public liberal arts institution. GCSU is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its liberal arts mission, a theme President Cox returned to repeatedly throughout her remarks.
On Tuesday, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents is scheduled to meet to review the university’s mission statement, a process President Cox described as timely given the institution’s recent growth and achievements.
The mission statement says, “Georgia College & State University’s distinctive liberal arts model provides innovative undergraduate and graduate programs that challenge future leaders to do more, learn more and seize more opportunities to make a positive difference in the world.”
President Cox concluded the address with a call to action for students, faculty and staff as the university looks ahead.
“Let’s be bold, fearless and audacious,” she said.
The State of the University Address reaffirmed GCSU’s focus on academic excellence, access and service, while positioning the institution to continue building on what President Cox characterized as one of the most significant periods of progress in its history.