University System of Georgia Board of Regents Chair Sonny Perdue announced his plans to retire Wednesday, marking the end of a storied, four-decade political career. A former state senator, two-term governor, and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture during President Donald Trump’s first term, Perdue will continue to serve until the Board can find a successor.
“Serving as chancellor has been one of the most impactful roles of my life, and stepping away is not a decision I make lightly,” Perdue said. “From Houston County to the governor’s office to Washington and back home again, my career has been guided by a simple belief: public service is a calling, and we’re meant to lift others and leave things better than we found them. I also want to thank my wife, Mary, whose love and support have steadied me through every chapter of this journey. Our children and grandchildren remind me every day why this work matters and why an affordable, high‑quality public education can open the door to prosperity for every Georgian.”
“As I prepare to retire, I’m grateful for our presidents, faculty and staff, our students and the many communities that make up this remarkable system,” Perdue added. “USG is a family, and I know it will continue to thrive, grow and serve Georgia.”
Perdue’s legendary career in politics began on the Houston County Planning and Zoning Board in the 1980s, after which he was elected to the state Senate in 1991, where he rose to the rank of President pro tempore. In 2003 he became Georgia’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction, serving two terms and steering the state through the Great Recession.
His background in agriculture was called upon when President Trump named him the 31st U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, managing a workforce of more than 100,000 employees and stabilizing the nation’s food chain during another crisis – the COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon returning to his home state he navigated calmer waters as USG’s 14th chancellor, as the system surged to record-breaking enrollment, graduation rates, and some of the lowest tuition and fees in the nation.
“Chancellor Perdue has given decades of service to our state and nation, and his time leading the University System of Georgia has solidified a legacy of impact that will continue for generations to come,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “His partnership in launching Georgia MATCH and the DREAMS Scholarship, restoring the HOPE Scholarship to full tuition coverage and removing costly fees on students has ensured higher education in Georgia remains accessible and affordable for hardworking families. Under his leadership, the system has seen record enrollment, modernized campuses and advanced medical education, including the launch of UGA’s new School of Medicine. Marty, the girls and I want to thank him for his years of history-making service and leadership, and on behalf of grateful Georgians everywhere, we wish him and Ms. Mary all the best in the years to come spent with loved ones.”
