Atlanta — November 24, 2008

Susan Herbst, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the University System of Georgia (USG), announced today that she has accepted the decision of Georgia Southern University President Bruce Grube to step down as President, effective June 30, 2009. Dr. Grube has served the University System in this role since July 1, 1999.

Herbst praised Grube’s leadership, saying, “During Dr. Grube’s tenure, Georgia Southern University has made tremendous progress in nearly all areas. He has expanded university facilities, beautified the campus, introduced the most sophisticated practices in higher education, and inspired his faculty, staff and students. Most important has been his keen and unyielding focus on academic excellence and achievement.”

This year, Georgia Southern University celebrated records in student enrollment (17,764), average freshman SAT scores (1111) and student retention (81 percent).

“President Grube is a bold leader and a true intellectual; he has made Georgia Southern University one of the real success stories in academe today. We will miss him immensely,” Herbst said. “Dr. Grube has served as a visionary leader, not only for Georgia Southern, but the University System as well. His work has benefited and will continue to propel the entire system forward.”

Under Grube’s leadership, Georgia Southern University was designated a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, and the institution has been featured in U.S. News &World Report’s “Best Colleges” guide. In addition, the institution was recently named one of the “Top 100 Best Values” by Kiplinger. While at Georgia Southern, Grube also oversaw the introduction of new ways to learn. The first Internet-based courses were introduced in 1999 and the University now offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees online.

Perhaps one of the most visible additions during Grube’s tenure has been the creation of two new colleges: the College of Information Technology, the only one of its kind in the Southeast, and the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health.

Another accomplishment is the doubling of the amount of scholarships funded through the Georgia Southern Foundation, Inc. In 2007, the Foundation distributed $1.3 million to deserving scholars. Under Grube’s direction, Georgia Southern University’s Campaign for National Distinction, held between 2004 and 2007, more than tripled the highest amount ever raised in a capital campaign collecting $53.1 million. In addition, the University Foundation’s permanent endowment has grown from just more than $21 million in 2000 to nearly $40 million today. Finally, during the past 10 years, Georgia Southern has raised more than $1 million each year through the A Day for Southern campaign.

Georgia Southern has also enjoyed a boom in new construction and building re-use under Grube’s leadership. The College of Education building opened in 2000 and was followed in rapid succession by numerous other academic and support buildings. Public service had a new venue when the expanded Nesmith-Lane building and its 825-seat Performing Arts Center opened in 2002. One of the most visible additions to campus is the Zach S. Henderson Library, which is undergoing a significant expansion and renovation. A number of new residence halls have been built, and the newest, the 1,001-bed Centennial Place, is under construction.

While President, Grube has served as Chair of the Council of Presidents of the Southern Conference and as Vice Chair of the Council of Presidents of the North Central Conference. He is currently a member of the NCAA Executive Committee and Division I Board of Directors. He also serves as Chair of the NCAA Division I Presidential Advisory Group.

After the end of his tenure as president, Grube will take one year of educational leave to prepare to return to the classroom as a professor of political science in the 2010-2011 academic year at Georgia Southern University. In addition, he will also serve as a consultant and mentor with the University System of Georgia where he will work with the newest presidents of the 35 USG colleges and universities. Board of Regents Chair Richard Tucker will initiate a national search process to identify candidates for the position of President at Georgia Southern University. Details of that process will be announced in the coming months.

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