Underwood led Mercer through tremendous growth and development

By
Larry Brumley
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Three older men in academic robes stand together, smiling, in a hallway with sports photos on the wall behind them.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium in a formal wood-paneled room, with two men standing behind him.
A man stands next to a bear mascot in an orange jersey with 95 and Bears at a crowded indoor sports event.
Three people stand and converse in an indoor arena with rows of empty orange seats in the background.
A woman wearing a crown and a man in a suit pose together in front of rows of orange stadium seats.
Two men in suits stand indoors, having a serious conversation; one holds documents and listens intently.
Two men in suits stand indoors, having a serious conversation; one holds documents and listens intently.
A man in a suit stands at a podium with a university seal, speaking while another man sits in the background.
A man in a suit stands at a podium with a university seal, speaking while another man sits in the background.
Three men stand indoors, conversing and smiling. Framed art is visible on the wall behind them.
A man with gray hair sits on a boat, looking out over a river with a bridge and traffic in the background.
A man in a suit with a yellow tie stands in a library, resting one hand on a leather chair.
A man in a suit with a yellow tie stands in a library, resting one hand on a leather chair.
A man in a suit and tie smiles while talking to people outside the Grand Opera House.
A man in a suit and tie smiles while talking to people outside the Grand Opera House.
A crowd of fans in orange and black cheer enthusiastically in the stands of an indoor sports arena.
A group of men in suits sit at a conference table with microphones and nameplates during a formal meeting.
A man in a suit stands on a football field near equipment carts as a crowd fills the stadium bleachers behind him.
A man in a suit stands on stage in front of a grand piano and a choir dressed in black concert attire.
A man in a suit stands on stage in front of a grand piano and a choir dressed in black concert attire.
A man in academic regalia reads from a folder near a crowd gathered for an outdoor graduation ceremony at Mercer University.
A group of people pose for a photo outside in front of a large brick building with trees and grass visible.
A man in a suit smiles and talks with two women in a warmly decorated room with stone walls and greenery.
A man in a suit smiles and talks with two women in a warmly decorated room with stone walls and greenery.
A woman and a man in formal attire stand in front of a decorated Christmas tree indoors.
A woman and a man in formal attire stand in front of a decorated Christmas tree indoors.
Two men in suits sit side by side on a stage; one reads a book while the other looks ahead and smiles.
Two men in academic regalia shake hands and smile outside a building with brick walls and large windows.
Two men in suits, one speaking at a podium with a Mercer University seal, stand by a decorated Christmas tree.
Man in a pinstripe suit and orange tie smiling, seated indoors with people standing in the background.
Man in a pinstripe suit and orange tie smiling, seated indoors with people standing in the background.
Mercer President William D. Underwood speaks at a podium in front of an orange Mercer University backdrop.
Two men in suits stand in front of a wall display labeled Spearman C. Godsey Science Center with gift information.
Man in a suit sits in an office chair beside a desk, with a lit table lamp and bookshelves in the background.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium labeled Mercer University in a room with arched windows and wall sconces.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with the Mercer University logo at an outdoor event with shovels in front.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with the Mercer University logo at an outdoor event with shovels in front.
Graduates in caps and gowns stand in a hallway with a faculty member, holding awards and smiling at the camera.
Three people, including a bear mascot, stand by a sign showing $130,368 raised for United Way, exceeding the goal.
A middle-aged man in a dark pinstripe suit and blue tie poses for a formal portrait against a gray background.
A middle-aged man in a dark pinstripe suit and blue tie poses for a formal portrait against a gray background.
Person in graduation attire holds a Mercer University diploma on stage with three applauding officials in academic robes.
Man in a suit holding a Mercer football helmet, standing in front of a Mercer-branded backdrop.
Man in a suit holding a Mercer football helmet, standing in front of a Mercer-branded backdrop.
Two men stand near a podium outside; one is speaking while the other looks on. An orange truck is parked behind them.
A man in a gray suit and a woman in a blue floral dress pose together and smile in a hallway with wood floors.
A man in a gray suit and a woman in a blue floral dress pose together and smile in a hallway with wood floors.
A group of people, some in white coats, pose indoors in front of a colorful, geometric stained glass mural.
A man examines another mans prosthetic leg while seated indoors on patterned tile flooring.
Man in a suit sits in an office chair, smiling, with a portrait and chandelier in the background.
Man in a suit sits in an office chair, smiling, with a portrait and chandelier in the background.
A group of people in formal attire pose together indoors in front of stained glass artwork, some wearing honor cords or stoles.
A man speaks at a podium in front of a group of people near a fountain, with Love engraved in the pavement.
Two men in suits review and sign documents near a large Mercer University seal on a table.
Two men in suits review and sign documents near a large Mercer University seal on a table.
Two people in academic regalia stand on stage; one presents a framed honorary degree from Mercer University to the other.
Two people in academic regalia stand on stage; one presents a framed honorary degree from Mercer University to the other.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium in front of a banner for Mercer University’s Capricorn Sound Studios event.
Man in a suit sitting on a bench outdoors, smiling and petting a black dog standing beside him.
Man in a suit sitting on a bench outdoors, smiling and petting a black dog standing beside him.
From left, President Underwood, former U.S. President and trustee Jimmy Carter, and Allman Brothers Band founding member Gregg Allman pause for a photo prior to the 2016 Macon commencement where Allman was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.
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From left, President Underwood, former U.S. President and trustee Jimmy Carter, and Allman Brothers Band founding member Gregg Allman pause for a photo prior to the 2016 Macon commencement where Allman was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree.

Since his appointment as Mercer’s 18th president in 2006, President William D. Underwood has led the 192-year-old University through a tremendous period of growth and development. Here are representative highlights:

Related: President Underwood announces plans to return to full-time teaching
  • Overall enrollment increased by more than 30%, from 7,000 students in 2006 to more than 9,200 students in 2024. Residential undergraduate enrollment on the Macon campus grew more than 40%, from 2,300 to more than 3,300.
  • New doctoral programs in physical therapy, clinical psychology, nursing, counseling, community medicine, biomedical sciences, educational leadership, and curriculum and instruction were launched.
  • Mercer was reclassified as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity (R2), the second-highest level in the Carnegie Classification.
  • The University was admitted to the Georgia Research Alliance and approached $50 million in annual research expenditures.
  • Mercer was awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society in the liberal arts, becoming one of only six chapters in Georgia.
  • Mercer On Mission has become a signature program at Mercer, with more than 2,600 students and faculty participating in 177 high-impact projects worldwide since 2007.
  • The Mercer Health Sciences Center and the University’s 12th academic unit — the College of Health Professions — were established.
  • The School of Medicine expanded its Savannah campus to a full four-year campus, opened a new four-year campus in Columbus, and added a third- and fourth-year clinical campus in Valdosta. Plans to construct a new 120,000-square-foot educational and research facility for the flagship campus of the School of Medicine in downtown Macon were announced in February 2025.
  • Mercer Medicine opened six rural clinics in Plains, Clay County, Harris County, Putnam County, Jekyll Island and Taylor County.
  • Football was reinstated in 2013 after a 72-year hiatus, and the Bears won their first Southern Conference championship in 2024.
  • In 2014, Mercer was admitted to the prestigious Southern Conference, one of the oldest and most highly regarded collegiate athletic leagues in the country.
  • Mercer athletic teams have won 44 regular season and tournament conference championships.
  • More than $400 million in new construction and major renovation projects were completed on every Mercer campus.
  • More than 1,000 beds of student housing have been added to the Macon and Atlanta campuses.
  • In 2024, Roberts Academy at Mercer University, a transitional school for children with dyslexia, opened in Macon, the only school of its kind in Georgia outside of metro Atlanta.
  • Mercer has become a leading producer of Fulbright, Goldwater, and Gilman Scholars, as well one of the five highest producers among Peace Corps prep sites.
  • The University’s financial strength has never been greater:
    • Total assets exceed $1 billion.
    • Operating budget has doubled from $172 million to more than $350 million, and every fiscal year has ended with a budget surplus.
    • The recently completed Aspire capital campaign raised more than $500 million for facilities, endowment and operating support.
    • Endowment has more than doubled, from $200 million to more than $500 million.
    • Quasi-endowment has grown from $15 million to more than $100 million.
    • Long-term debt has remained constant at $188 million.
    • The University achieved A-grade bond ratings from Moody’s Investor Services and Standard and Poor’s.
  • Georgia Trend magazine has named President Underwood to its 100 Most Influential Georgians list for 13 consecutive years.

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