Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America -- launching our nation's great tradition of world-class education for all. What began as a commitment to inspire the next generation grows stronger today through global research, hands-on experiential learning and extensive outreach. One of America's "Public Ivies" and a top 10 best value in public higher education, the University of Georgia tackles some of the world's grand challenges -- from combating infectious disease and securing the world's food supply to advancing economic growth and analyzing the environment.As Georgia's flagship institution, the university is recognized for its commitment to student excellence, particularly through an emphasis on rigorous learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom, hands-on research, and leadership opportunities. These experiences contribute to the university's exceptional retention, graduation and career-placement rates. Our students have earned more than 50 Rhodes, Marshall, Truman and other prestigious national academic scholarships over just the past decade.Scholars at the University of Georgia are committed to improving the quality of life for all and lead discovery in pivotal fields such as vaccine development, biomedical research, cybersecurity, and plant sciences. One of the nation's top universities for technology commercialization and licensing income, the University of Georgia has invented nearly 600 commercial products currently in the marketplace. The university is also home to the Peabody Awards, the most prestigious prize in electronic media.With its comprehensive reach, the university's 17 colleges and schools enroll 36,000 students and have produced 315,000 alumni living worldwide. The University of Georgia's initiatives extend globally while touching every corner of the state, realizing the university's land-grant and sea-grant missions. The university's eight Public Service and Outreach units, which are among the strongest in the nation, help create jobs, develop leaders and address critical challenges. Research, outreach and extension serve as major drivers of economic and workforce development and spark successful partnerships that create new businesses and train the workforce of tomorrow. The university's threefold teaching, research and service mission spans the globe with campuses in five Georgia locations, Washington, D.C., England, Costa Rica and Italy, as well as partnerships in more than 50 countries on six continents.Located in the Classic City of Athens, approximately 60 minutes northeast of Atlanta, the university thrives in a community that promotes the benefits of a culture-rich college town with a strong economic center. The campus is home to more than 600 registered student and service organizations. The university's athletic programs are among the most successful in NCAA Division I and the 21 varsity athletic teams compete as Georgia Bulldogs, with "Uga" consistently ranking as one of the nation's most recognized mascots. In 2016, the university showcased a contingent of 37 current and former student-athletes and coaches who participated in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.At the University of Georgia, it's more than a mission. It's a commitment we make to our students, the state of Georgia and the world.