Atlanta — December 23, 2008

Susan Herbst, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer of the University System of Georgia (USG), announced today that she has accepted the resignation of Clayton State University President Thomas K. Harden, effective June 1, 2009. Dr. Harden has served the University System in this role since June 1, 2000. Harden has accepted a position as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay in Green Bay, Wis.

Herbst praised Harden’s leadership, saying, “Dr. Harden’s dedication to academic excellence at Clayton State University has always been student centered and focused. He has been tremendously supportive of his faculty, other System institutions and the communities served by the university.”

Clayton State’s enrollment has increased from 4300 students to more than 6000 students, growing into an outstanding comprehensive metropolitan university. The university more than doubled its undergraduate programs and began its mission as a graduate degree-granting university under Harden’s leadership.

“President Harden has also been very committed to supporting the performing arts in Clayton County and what that has meant to the community cannot be understated,” Herbst said. “I am grateful to him for his service; we shall miss Tom’s collegiality, his friendship and his many administrative talents.”

Under Harden’s guidance, Clayton State earned an outstanding commendation from SACS as part of its successful decennial accreditation reaffirmation. He also instituted a comprehensive strategic planning process. In addition, the university opened its first on-campus housing, a Student Activities Center, a new building for the School of Business and the James M. Baker University Center, Clayton State’s “signature” building, during Harden’s presidency.

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