Contacts: Laura T. McCarty
Georgia Humanities Council
(404) 523-6220
ltmc@georgiahumanities.org

UGA’s Wrigley Named 2004 Chair of Georgia Humanities Council

ATLANTA, June 23, 2003 – Dr. Steve Wrigley, one of Georgia’s most respected academic and government officials, has been named chair of the Georgia Humanities Council.

Wrigley, who currently serves as senior vice president for external affairs at the University of Georgia, is a former chief of staff for Governor Zell Miller. He is a long-time board member of the GHC.

"Steve’s diverse experiences and background are reflective of the mission of the Georgia Humanities Council," said GHC President Jamil Zainaldin. "Understanding and bridging the worlds of academia, business, and government are crucial to our society, and Steve brings a unique perspective in each of these arenas."

Prior to being named senior vice president at UGA, Dr. Wrigley served as vice president for government relations. Before this appointment, he served as director of the International Center for Democratic Governance, whose mission is to assist the governments of emerging democracies. The Center is part of UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

Prior to joining the University of Georgia, Dr. Wrigley served 13 years in senior management in Georgia state government. He was senior policy advisor to Governor Zell Miller for two years then served as chief of staff to Governor Miller for five years. Among the successful programs Dr. Wrigley helped implement include the pre-kindergarten program, HOPE scholarships, and Preservation 2000. He coordinated the Governor’s trade missions, was primary liaison to the federal government, and was responsible for coordination of the state’s 1996 Olympic planning.

Dr. Wrigley earned his bachelors degree at Georgia State University and masters and Ph. D. degrees at Northwestern University. His areas of interest include policy development, public relations and government, and education leadership. He has given seminars for the National Governors Association on special events planning, media relations, and managing a governor’s office. He is also a member of the board of the Georgia Wildlife Federation.

The Georgia Humanities Council (www.georgiahumanities.org) serves the state of Georgia through its projects and grant programs. An independent nonprofit organization, the Council receives funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the State of Georgia, foundations, corporations, and individuals. The Council supports educational activities that help Georgians learn about their heritage and stories, thus preparing the state’s citizenry to make decisions for the future.

Governed by a board of directors of civic, business, and academic leaders, the Georgia Humanities Council works out of offices in the Hurt Building in Atlanta. The staff and board network with individuals and organizations across the state, aiming for involvement with programs that are important to the local communities in Georgia.

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