Sonny Perdue To Be Next University System Of Georgia Chancellor

ATLANTA, GA — Former Gov. Sonny Perdue, 75, will become the 14th chancellor of the University System of Georgia on April 1.

Perdue, who also served as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under the Donald Trump administration, replaces Chancellor Steve Wrigley who retired last year, according to the university.

Following Wrigley's retirement, the board began its national search in Jan. 2021 with Perdue ultimately becoming the sole finalist for the job.

“Gov. Perdue is a product of the university system, and knows well the challenges both USG and this state face in filling critical workforce needs and meeting industry demands for highly skilled graduates. Our students and institutions are world-class, and we have hired a leader who will keep USG moving forward as one of the best public university systems in the nation," Board Chair Harold Reynolds said.

According to Perdue, he looks forward to providing opportunities for students, faculty and staff to be successful.

“This may be the most important job yet. I can’t think of a better way to make a difference than to help prepare the next generation – educating them for prosperity, themselves, their families and ultimately our state. I’m excited to get started," he said.

Meanwhile, his new role has raised the eyebrows of some critics who argue that because Perdue has no experience working in education, he should not lead a major university system.

"What experience does Sonny Perdue have to be a Chancellor of higher Ed in GA?" tweeted one person.

"Sonny Perdue has no business any where near the Chancellor position. A political hack, yes man to the former guy, financial beneficiary of governor's office. A joke," tweeted another critic.

In the interim, Executive Vice Chancellor for Administration Teresa MacCartney has served as acting chancellor.

USG’s 26 public colleges and universities enroll more than 340,000 students and employ more than 48,000 faculty and staff to fulfill the system’s teaching, research and service mission across the state.