First African Americans to enroll at UGA kept their eyes on the prize.
Georgia Groundbreakers celebrates innovative and visionary faculty, students, alumni and leaders throughout the history of the University of Georgia — and their profound, enduring impact on our state, our nation and the world.
Mary Frances Early: A life of quiet courage and great accomplishment
She helped to integrate UGA and had an enduring impact on music education across the nation.
Zell Miller: He left a legacy of HOPE
He worked to transform the landscape of higher education in Georgia and beyond.
Abraham Baldwin: The Founding Father of public higher education in America
UGA’s first president also cast the key vote that saved the U.S. Constitutional Convention – and the nation – in 1787.
Georgia Groundbreakers
Alfred Blalock: Mender of broken hearts
Today, a century after he graduated from UGA, Alfred Blalock is revered in the medical community…
Billy Payne’s Olympian triumph
Billy Payne’s success in winning the Olympic bid and preparing the city for the games effectively…
Eugene Odum: The father of modern ecology
Eugene Odum broke ground and taught us new ways to understand and protect our planet.
The Poppy Lady: Moina Michael started a movement for veterans
It began with a simple idea from a UGA professor — sell poppy flowers to support veterans.