Georgia Southwestern college president Kendall Blanchard retiring

Kendall Blanchard, president of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, will step down at the end of the year.

Blanchard, who has led the university since June 2007, announced his retirement plans Tuesday. His retirement is effective Dec. 31.

Under Blanchard’s tenure, the university created two new master’s degrees, the school of business administration earned national accreditation and international partnerships were expanded to colleges in China, India and South Korea. A 300-bed residence hall, new wing of the Marshall Student Center and $40 million capital investment in a health and human sciences complex were also completed under Blanchard’s leadership.