Georgia Southern University is a member institution of the University System of Georgia. A residential university of approximately 16,100 students (Fall 2004), Georgia Southern University's hallmark is a superior undergraduate experience emphasizing academic distinction, excellent teaching, and student success. Georgia Southern University is among the most comprehensive centers of public higher education in the state.

A Master's I university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Georgia Southern University offers 130 academic majors in a broad array of baccalaureate degrees and selected master's and doctoral programs. The University has earned national accreditation in 29 program areas. Academic programs are organized in seven Colleges: Business Administration, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Information Technology, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology, and the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. The University awarded 2,400 degrees in 2002-2003.

The University is one of the top choices in Georgia for new freshmen, including HOPE Scholars. Georgia Southern University enrolls with increasing selectivity a student body representing in recent years all of Georgia, almost every state, the District of Columbia, two territories, and more than 80 nations. Moreover, at least four-fifths of undergraduates are full-time students. The University is enhancing its academic profile through higher admission standards, an expanded scholarship Honors Program, and targeted recruiting of academically-talented students. The average SAT has increased from 980 in Fall 1999 to 1056 for Fall 2003.

More than 150 campus organizations bring students together around their special interests. The organizations include academic associations, performing arts groups, honor societies, team sports, fraternities and sororities, service clubs, and religious groups. Most organizations also participate at the regional and national levels. Georgia Southern University's reputation as a caring and friendly campus begins with the University's commitment to serving students, offering the support needed to meet the challenges of college life and beyond. These services range from guiding students in planning their curriculum to assisting graduating seniors in finding employment opportunities.

Georgia Southern University fulfills its service mission through outreach and research in economic development, education, rural health, and environmental science. The University is increasing the number of professionals in the region through programs offered in Savannah , Brunswick , Augusta , Dublin , and Hinesville.

Founded in 1906 as a district agricultural school, the institution advanced to become a teachers' college, a senior college, and in 1990 the first university in the southern half of Georgia . The University has recently emerged from a decade of growth that doubled its enrollment. The 634-acre campus is completing a $215.9-million building and beautification renaissance that spanned the decade.

The learning environment for students and the public is enhanced by the Georgia Southern University-Statesboro Symphony, a Library serving the University's entire community, a museum of cultural and natural history, a botanical garden, a new performing arts center, and a unique wildlife education center. The University's Division I athletic teams compete in the Southern Conference and have attained national recognition. The campus is located in Statesboro, a safe, hospitable Main Street community of 30,000, an hour from historic Savannah and beach resorts, and within 200 miles of Atlanta .

Georgia Southern approaches its centennial in an era of new leadership with a vision to rank among the best universities of its class in the nation.