Many students studying wrong things, University System of Georgia chancellor says | Online Athens

University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby likely was the most celebrated man in Georgia on Thursday.

By proclamation of Gov. Nathan Deal, it was Hank Huckaby Day across the state. Separate proclamations from Athens-Clarke County Mayor Nancy Denson and the Oconee County Board of Commissioners doubled that honor locally by declaring Thursday as Hank Huckaby Day in their respective communities.

The written proclamations were presented to Huckaby at a celebration for which hundreds of people jammed a fellowship hall at Athens First United Methodist Church, where Huckaby held a number of leadership positions over the years. The honors were part of a tribute organized by Dan Maxey, chairman of the church’s Senior Fun Group, whose monthly meeting Thursday was a luncheon honoring Huckaby.

After hearing from a host of notables, including University System Board of Regents Chairman Dink NeSmith, newly-elected Georgia Republican Party Chairman John Padgett, state Rep. Tommy Benton, R-Jefferson, University of Georgia senior administration officials and others, and receiving copies of the proclamations, Huckaby turned to Maxey and joked, “What is the pope doing today?”

“I don’t know what to say,” the chancellor continued, “but I’m greatly, deeply grateful.” Then, joking again, he added, “I wish at least 25 percent of (what was said by Thursday’s speakers) was true.”

Addressing the University System’s role in developing the state’s workforce, Huckaby noted that large numbers of Georgia jobs are going unfilled “because students are studying the wrong things.”

“If you can’t get a job, and you majored in drama, there’s probably a reason,” said Huckaby, who oversees the state’s public colleges and universities with the guidance of the regents. Sounding a similar note, Huckaby said Thursday that not every student should attend the state’s top-tier universities, and that the state’s other institutions of higher education have much to offer.

via Many students studying wrong things, University System of Georgia chancellor says | Online Athens.