Former University of North Georgia (UNG) President Sherman Day has at age 86. Day served as president from 1996-1999.
“We remember and honor the important legacy of former UNG President Sherman Day,” UNG President Michael Shannon said. “While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the profound impact he had on our university and the lives of those he touched.”
Day came to North Georgia as an interim president expecting to be at the university for three months, then later became the permanent president and served for a total of three years. Years later, Day remains a beloved figure in UNG’s history for his ability to engage with students, faculty and staff. The Day Conference Room in Price Memorial Hall is named in his honor.
“When Dr. Day arrived on our campus, he quickly earned the trust and support of our faculty, staff and students. His leadership style inspired confidence,” Mike Hyams, retired vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said. “He was a man of impeccable character and trust, a natural leader. We were indeed fortunate to have Dr. Day as our president.”
Even after leaving UNG, Day was instrumental in the establishment of UNG’s Cumming Campus in 2012.
Prior to his time at UNG, Day served in a variety of other service roles, including a two-year stint as acting president at Georgia State University from 1991 through 1992 following more than a decade on the faculty there. Day also later served stints as interim president at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia, and Bainbridge College.
Other major roles in his career included time as director of the National Institute of Corrections, assistant director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and managing director of Legacy and Olympic Programs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.