The University of Georgia Institute of Higher Education will hold a daylong 50th Anniversary Conference on March 30 at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. The conference will bring together alumni, faculty, students, staff and friends to celebrate the past successes of the institute and chart a path for the future. 

“We are excited to celebrate this special anniversary of sustaining excellence within the field of higher education,” said Libby Morris, director of the institute. “We’re proud of the institute’s legacy and reputation in research, instruction and public service. The conference is a great way for us to connect with our alumni, friends and supporters.” 

Keynote speakers include Houston Davis, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the University System of Georgia, and Richard Rhoda, executive director emeritus of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Additional sessions will explore student access, higher education at the national and global levels, and how the higher education institution is evolving. The event will also highlight the history of the institute and its impact on higher education over the past 50 years.

March 30 events, times, topics and speakers include:

• 9:15-10:30 a.m., opening session and keynote: “Higher Education at the State Level: Overview of Initiatives and New Directions,” Houston Davis 

• 10:45-11:45 a.m., “Emerging Approaches to Improving Student Access, Success and Attainment,” moderator: Erik Ness, associate professor, IHE.

• Noon-1:15 p.m., “IHE at 50!” Libby Morris, Parker Young, professor emeritus of higher education. 

• 1:30-2:30 p.m., keynote: “Higher Education at the National Level: Changes, Challenges and Responses,” Richard Rhoda.

• 2:45-3:45 p.m., “The Rapidly Evolving Higher-Education Institution, moderated by Jim Hearn, associate director, IHE. 

• 4-5 p.m., “Global Universities: Knowledge, Power and People in International Context,” moderated by Sheila Slaughter, McBee Professor of Higher Education. 

The 50th anniversary events are supported in part by the Office of the President, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, and through the support of alumni and friends. 

Pre-conference events will be held on March 29. There will be a panel on “Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now” from 2-4 p.m. at the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development. An opening reception will be held at 5 p.m. at the Institute of Higher Education in Meigs Hall. An open house is scheduled in Meigs Hall on March 31 from 9-11:30 a.m.

The event is open to the public and cost to attend is $50. To register, see ihe.uga.edu/anniversary.