Clark Atlanta University Announces the Historic Celebration and Inauguration of President George T. French, Jr., Ph.D.
04/26/2022
Atlanta, GA (Tuesday, April 26, 2022) - Today, Clark Atlanta University (CAU), announces the historic celebration and inauguration of its 5th president, George T. French, Jr., Ph.D. with a series of events beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
The official investiture ceremony will take place Friday, April 29, 2022, at 11 a.m. at the Georgia World Congress Center’s Georgia Ballroom, located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd., Atlanta GA. All members of the CAU community—including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and friends of the university are invited to attend.
Over the past two years, President French has maintained a commitment to meeting the needs of students. This includes establishing key partnerships to provide free laptops, paying student debt and providing a platform to listen to their concerns.
He is also credited with exceeding all fundraising goals while raising the positive profile and positing of the university. Under his leadership, CAU received two of the largest gifts in the University’s history, totaling more than $20 million. CAU is currently one of the nation’s top ranked HBCUs, according to US News and World Report the Princeton Review and other nationally recognized publications.
Prior to President French’s appointment to lead CAU in September of 2019, he served as the President of Miles College and is one of the nation’s longest serving presidents. Since his installation, he has worked to further the University’s mission by increasing enrollment, improving operational efficiencies, engaging donors, inspiring alumni, and ensuring academic rigor among its diverse group students. Notably, CAU is the largest United Negro College Fund (UNCF) member institution, as well as the largest private HBCU in the state of Georgia.
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In addition to the investiture, the celebration includes the First Lady’s Garden Brunch Benefit, A CAU Student Scholars’ Salute, Colloquium with Thought leaders – “The Continuum of Global Momentum”, The Dedication of The NCBCP Thomas W. Dortch, Jr. Institute for Leadership, Civic Engagement, Economic Empowerment & Social Justice and Southern Regional Office and The National Urban League’s, State of Black America Report. To review the full list of inauguration’s activities, visit CAU’s home page at www.cau.edu.
About Clark Atlanta University: Established in 1988 by the historic consolidation of Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869). Clark Atlanta University continues a 150-year legacy rooted in African American tradition and focused on the future. Through global innovation, transformative educational experiences, and high-value engagement. CAU cultivates lifted lives that transforms the world. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson; American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing "The Black National Anthem"; Ralph David Abernathy Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.
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