Atlanta — November 10, 2015

Dr. Arthur (Art) Dunning has been named by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia as the permanent president of Albany State University. The regents’ decision followed a recommendation by University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby and ends the interim status he has held at Albany State since November 2013.

“The Board and I see a bright future for Albany State University with Dr. Dunning serving as president during this historic milestone for the institution,” said Chairman Neil Pruitt. “We are committed to serving the students of Albany State University, the community and Southwest Georgia and appreciate Dr. Dunning’s proven leadership at this critical time.”

“Dr. Dunning has demonstrated great dedication to Albany State, especially the students,” said Huckaby. “I have always had confidence in his ability to lead and that has further been solidified by his interim presidency at ASU which is why he is the right choice, at the right time, to lead ASU as its permanent president.”

Dunning said, “I am proud of our accomplishments thus far, but we are not done. We have an extraordinary opportunity to create the premiere institution in southwest Georgia that will positively impact not just students, but the community and economy. I am excited to continue to lead Albany State and work with our stakeholders to create the new Albany State University.”

Since taking charge as interim president, Dunning has worked to improve administrative efficiency at the university through several key appointments. He also has expanded the educational reach of ASU by signing several articulation agreements, including one with Darton State College that will allow associate degree students to seamlessly earn bachelor’s degrees at Albany State and another with Albany Technical College (ATC), which will allow associate of applied science graduates in certain programs at ATC to continue their studies at ASU and obtain a bachelor of applied science in technology management degree.

Dunning has demonstrated his commitment to ASU by donating over $75,000 for needs-based scholarships and in support of the ASU Marching Rams to participate in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Prior to being named interim president at Albany State, Dunning served as senior research fellow and professor at the University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) in 2013 and vice chancellor for international programs and outreach for the University of Alabama System from 2010 to 2012. He was a tenured professor in the University of Georgia Institute of Higher Education (Athens).

He has held several other executive positions in higher education, including senior vice chancellor for human and external resources, vice chancellor for services and acting executive vice chancellor at the University System of Georgia. He has also served as chief executive officer of Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, Inc.

Dunning earned a doctorate in administration/higher education, master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology from the University of Alabama. He has completed post master’s work at the Peabody College of Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) and a management development program at Harvard University (Cambridge, Massachusetts).

« News Releases