Ðǿմ«Ã½

Former President Sherman Day passes away

March 25, 2024
Former Ðǿմ«Ã½ President Sherman Day passed away March 20. Day served as president from 1996-1999 and had reputation for great character and supporting students, faculty and staff.

Article By: Clark Leonard

Former University of North Georgia (Ðǿմ«Ã½) President Sherman Day passed away March 20 at age 86. Day served as president from 1996-1999.

"We remember and honor the important legacy of former Ðǿմ«Ã½ President Sherman Day," Ðǿմ«Ã½ President Michael Shannon said. "While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the profound impact he had on our university and the lives of those he touched."

Day came to North Georgia as an interim president expecting to be at the university for three months, then later became the permanent president and served for a total of three years. Years later, Day remains a beloved figure in Ðǿմ«Ã½'s history for his ability to engage with students, faculty and staff. The Day Conference Room in Price Memorial Hall is named in his honor.

"When Dr. Day arrived on our campus, he quickly earned the trust and support of our faculty, staff and students. His leadership style inspired confidence," Mike Hyams, retired vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said. "He was a man of impeccable character and trust, a natural leader. We were indeed fortunate to have Dr. Day as our president."

Even after leaving Ðǿմ«Ã½, Day was instrumental in the establishment of Ðǿմ«Ã½'s Cumming Campus in 2012.

Prior to his time at Ðǿմ«Ã½, Day served in a variety of other service roles, including a two-year stint as acting president at Georgia State University from 1991 through 1992 following more than a decade on the faculty there. Day also later served stints as interim president at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia, and Bainbridge College.

Other major roles in his career included time as director of the National Institute of Corrections, assistant director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and managing director of Legacy and Olympic Programs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.

Day is preceded in death by his wife, Afton, and survived by three daughters and a son.

"Since my arrival at Ðǿմ«Ã½, I had the privilege of spending time with Sherm. He was a great man who loved Ðǿմ«Ã½, our mission and our athletic teams. As we reflect on Sherman Day's life and contributions, let us carry forward his spirit of dedication and commitment to excellence," Shannon said. "His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of our university, inspiring generations to come. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to know him. He will be missed."


Students publish article with biology professor

Students publish article with biology professor

Dr. Evan Lampert, a Ðǿմ«Ã½ professor of biology, and four of his students recently published an article on research funded by a Ðǿմ«Ã½ Presidential Award.
Shannon: Ðǿմ«Ã½ is redefining higher ed

Shannon: Ðǿմ«Ã½ is redefining higher ed

President Michael Shannon highlighted Ðǿմ«Ã½'s growth, service and impact in his State of the University address Oct. 22 in David E. Ralston Hall at Ðǿմ«Ã½'s Blue Ridge Campus.
'State of the University' is Oct. 22 in Blue Ridge

'State of the University' is Oct. 22 in Blue Ridge

Ðǿմ«Ã½ President Michael Shannon will deliver his 'State of the University' address at 11 a.m. Oct. 22 in David E. Ralston Hall at Ðǿմ«Ã½'s Blue Ridge Campus.
National security strategy hits road

National security strategy hits road

Ðǿմ«Ã½'s strategic big bet to get in the national security game took its leaders on the road to local high schools to discover how they can partner in providing the tools students need to pursue such careers.