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DEL.ICIO.USA UGA booster? Yes! A graduate? No
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Editor’s note: In a weak moment, Patti Ghezzi’s editor gave her a day off today (she helped cover the ice storm). But that doesn’t mean we won’t give readers their daily “Get Schooled” vitamin. This item was filed by assistant education editor Dana Tofig.
There’s little question that newly reappointed Regent Donald Leebern cares about the University of Georgia.
He’s publicly supported UGA’s current president, Michael Adams. He’s donated time and money to the university. And recently, he got in a little tepid water (not quite hot) for distributing bottles of wine with UGA logos all over them, a violation of state policy. Yes, Donald Leebern is a Bulldog.
But he’s a bulldog without a degree.
Late Friday, as most news organizations (including this one) were in a “here-comes-the-ice” frenzy, Gov. Sonny Perdue’s office dropped a press release announcing three appointments to the Board of Regents, which oversees the state’s public colleges and universities.
A brief bio of each appointee was included, including one for Leebern. His bio listed the liquor distribution businesses he owns and the various organizations he belongs to. And it ended with this line: “He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia.”
Almost. But not quite.
Arlethia Perry-Johnson, a spokeswoman for the state Board of Regents, confirmed today that Leebern, who played football at UGA, did not graduate from college. He fell a few credits short. In fact, Leebern does not have a degree at all. Perry-Johnson said her office was unaware that the Governor’s office was putting out a release and therefore had no hand in writing it.
The governor’s office says there was a misunderstanding that led to the error in the press release, and the information has been corrected for future reference.
A question: Should those serving on the Board of Regents be required to have a college degree of some type?
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Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By chuck
February 1, 2005 08:04 AM | Link to this
HMMMM…A guy who didn’t graduate, who made millions selling alcohol to college students. Sounds about right for the board of regents.
By Gene Walker
February 1, 2005 08:36 AM | Link to this
Sonny doesn’t care about Leebern’s or anyone else’s education. All he cares about is the money.
By George P Burdell
February 1, 2005 09:12 AM | Link to this
“A UGA booster? Yes! A graduate? No!” provides just shocking information. Seriously, isn’t this old news? A majority of Georgia Tech fans have Georgia Tech degrees. A large majority of UGA fans have never seen Athens oustide of 6 Saturday’s each Fall. That’s why UGA packs in 85,000 and Georgia Tech struggles to draw 45,000. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure that one out…but maybe it does take a college degree. The BOR will always be full of good-ole boys. Not much one can do about that…
By Brad Stephens
February 1, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this
College isn’t for everyone. Some of the most successful people I’ve ever known didn’t even complete high school, but I would think it’s elementary that the governing Board over the colleges and universities should’ve at least completed their bachelors’ degree from somewhere in something.
By Charles Lyon
February 1, 2005 09:33 AM | Link to this
I’ve heard that a dummy who goes by the name of Bill Gates doesn’t have a college degree. I wouldn’t object to his membership on Board of Regents. I do object to Donald Leebern’s membership on the B of R. His poor judgement and either ignorance or lack of understanding of NCAA rules is most disturbing.
By Dr. Russell Brock
February 1, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this
People that serve on the BOR should at least have a 4 year college degree. They are presiding over institutions designed to get young people to at least that level of education. BOR members should have at least demonstrated the ability to get through a program that they now steer. Leeburn’s not having a college degree is not surprising considering the lack of judgement he has displayed in the past few years.
By JacketbythegraceofGod
February 1, 2005 02:50 PM | Link to this
LMAO ~ always good to see the Cesspool of the South taking more shots. Nothing like reaping what ya sow eh bullpups?
By Earl
February 1, 2005 02:54 PM | Link to this
It is ridiculous that the Governor would re-appoint someone who has displayed poor judgement in following University and NCAA policies, regardless of his contributions to the University. He has served multiple terms and should know better than anyone. This is laffable when you consider all the noise the Governor made about ethics reform, etc. One thing is for sure, Leeburn’s demonstrated poor judgement is a good fit for the BOR, given their bungling of the situation with the UGA president, expenditures of taxpayer funds at the state’s largest university, and other such issues which have been never ending over the past few years. The taxpayers of Georgia deserve better leadership. I agree with the other person’s observation, it’s all about the money.
By Thomas
February 1, 2005 03:02 PM | Link to this
I really hate to tell JacketbythegraceofGod this, but the Board of Regents also oversees Georgia Tech.
But seriously, does anyone here believe that there are more qualifications required to be a regent for the university system other than donating large amounts of money to the political party in power at the time? Get a grip, all of these positions were paid for by political contibutions.
By Reggie
February 1, 2005 03:06 PM | Link to this
Par for the course, when dealing with UGA and the board of regents hypocrites.
By Gene Walker
February 1, 2005 04:01 PM | Link to this
Is Leebern the only Regent without a college degree? Just curious.
By Merritt
February 1, 2005 04:49 PM | Link to this
Who is George P Burdell?