Atlanta — February 12, 2007

Dalton State College President James A. Burran announced today that he will retire, effective Dec. 31, 2007, citing health reasons. Burran has served as president of the northwest Georgia public college since May 1995, which includes an almost 30-year higher-education career in the University System of Georgia (USG).

USG Chief Operating Officer Robert Watts, who accepted Burran’s decision to retire, said, “Jim Burran will truly be missed, not just by those who serve Dalton State College, but by those who live and work in northwest Georgia. Under his leadership, Dalton State College has evolved to meet and serve the changing needs of the community and the economy. On behalf of the Board of Regents and the University System, I salute President Burran for his dedication, his love of learning and Dalton State, and his highly effective leadership.”

In 1998 the Board of Regents approved the change of name and mission from Dalton College to Dalton State College in order to reflect its new role as a bachelor’s degree-granting institution.

State colleges in the University System can offer limited baccalaureate degree programs that meet area workforce needs. DSC currently offers seven bachelor’s degree majors as well as comprehensive technical and associate degree programs of study.

Burran joined the University System of Georgia in 1978 from graduate school from the University of Tennessee as a member of the history faculty at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC). Rising through the ranks, he was appointed Vice President for Academic Affairs at ABAC in 1987 and continued in that capacity until being named Dalton State College president in 1995.

University System Chief Operating Officer Rob Watts says that the search process to replace Burran will get underway with a goal of having a new president selected by the time of Burran’s retirement.

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