GMC News

Randy New Retires as Chairman of GMC Board of Trustees, George Hogan Succeeds

After serving on the Georgia Military College (GMC) Board of Trustees (BOT) since 1992, including as Board Chairman for the past 22 years, Randy New has retired. The newly elected BOT Chairman is George Hogan, who served as Vice Chairman since 1998.

During his time as GMC Board of Trustees Chairman and Representative of District 2, New oversaw the approval of a number of major facilities projects, campus expansions, additional academic degree programs, with a total capital investment that exceeded $100 million.

New served as Chairman during two Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ (SACSCOC) reaffirmations in 2007 and 2017.  In 2017 the accreditation agency had no findings demonstrating GMC’s commitment to excellence in education.  This review process occurs every ten years for institutions of higher education.

Major facilities projects under New’s tenure include the Old Capitol Building restoration, Craig Field, Couch Field, Ray Field House and Ruark Athletic Complex, Boylan Hall, Baugh Barracks, Engineering Facility, Usery Hall, Kidd Health and Wellness Center, Indoor Training Facility, Center for Ethics and Servant Leadership, Prep School Annex, Jenkins Hall renovation and restoration, and the traffic pattern safety Road Diet Plan on Elbert Street.

New also served as BOT Chairman during the approval of the first Bachelor degree program in the 140-year history of GMC, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree, now with four degrees offered.  Additionally, during his tenure the college continued to grow with the addition of seven college campuses, including the establishment of the Global Online College.

The decision to retire comes as New is finalizing plans to move outside the city limits of Milledgeville. As a resident of Baldwin County, he will, however, be able to continue to volunteer and remain in service in other capacities at GMC. New has stated he fully intends to stay involved with his alma mater.
He is an alumnus of GMC Prep School, graduating in 1971, as well as the GMC Junior College and its Corps of Cadets, where he graduated and received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1973.

“It was an honor to be able to serve Georgia Military College under the wisdom and guidance of Chairman New. He is both a wonderful friend and mentor, and a tremendous leader for GMC,” said GMC President, Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell, IV. “As we all know, for 28 years Chairman New has helped shape and mold GMC into the great institution it is today. We are forever grateful for his contributions to Georgia Military College. We are excited that he will remain engaged with GMC and continue to work for the benefit of our students.”

Local businessman and longtime GMC Board of Trustees Vice Chairman, Hogan, replaces New as Chairman. Ken Vance was elected by the Board to serve as Vice Chairman.

Hogan is the first African American to serve as GMC Board of Trustees Chairman. “It’s humbling to know that,” said Hogan, who, during the 1970s, was the first African American trooper to work for the Georgia State Patrol in the Middle Georgia area.

As Vice Chairman, Hogan served as Chair of the Finance subcommittee and on the Scholarship Committee.  His main focus as Chairman will be to maintain student enrollments at GMC Prep School, the College campuses, and the Global Online College. In his position as Chairman, Hogan will continue to represent District 5.

The Milledgeville native and Vietnam War Veteran owns and operates George Hogan & Sons Logging and Tree Service. In addition to his service at GMC, Hogan has been an active member of a number of local civic and nonprofit organizations for a number of years, including the NAACP, 100 Black Men, and American Legion Post 523, where he is a lifetime member.

Hogan is also president of the Baldwin Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a founding board member of the Habitat for Humanity Milledgeville/Baldwin County.

“Chairman Hogan is a proven leader. He has served on the GMC Board of Trustees for the past 23 years, most of which he was the Vice Chairman,” Caldwell said. “I’m extremely excited to continue to work with Chairman Hogan in his new role. I know that Georgia Military College will continue to not only grow, but thrive under Chairman Hogan’s leadership.”