The Georgia House of Representatives honored Mercer President R. Kirby Godsey at the State Capitol on Feb. 28 with a resolution highlighting the many accomplishments during his 27-year presidency. House Resolution 1122 was sponsored by Reps. David Lucas (District 139), Brooks Coleman (144), Nikki Randall (138), Mickey Channell (116) and Jim Cole (125). Dr. Godsey has announced his retirement, effective June 30.
Read before the membership by Rep. Lucas, the resolution noted Mercer’s growth and progress under Dr. Godsey’s leadership, resulting in the University becoming the most comprehensive university of its size in the nation. It noted during Godsey’s presidency Mercer had added seven of its 10 schools and colleges, including medicine and engineering, founded Mercer University Press and the Mercer Engineering Research Center, established the regional academic centers and entered partnerships with Piedmont Healthcare and Warner Robins Air Logistics Center.
It also cited Dr. Godsey’s commitment to the Central Georgia area and downtown Macon, his vision as one of the founders of New Town Macon and his recognitions for service and leadership, including the 2002 Southeast CEO of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the 2003 Macon Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, and numerous listings by Georgia Trend magazine as one of the top 100 most influential Georgians.
In its conclusion, the resolution stated: “Now, therefore, be it resolved by the House of Representatives that the members of this body join in commending Dr. R. Kirby Godsey for his outstanding service to Mercer University and Georgia.”
Dr. Godsey, in accepting the resolution, thanked members of the House for their support of the University, particularly in funding for the School of Medicine, which is providing physicians throughout the state and only accepts Georgia residents into its doctor of medicine program.
Photo:
Participating in the presentation of House Resolution 1122 to President Godsey included: left to right, Rep. Robert Ray, Rep. Jim Cole, Rep. David Graves, Rep. Nikki Randall, Dr. Godsey, Rep. David Lucas, Rep, Mark Burkhalter (Speaker Pro Tempore).
