About the Terry College of Business

Founded in 1912, the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry College of Business is steeped in a tradition of providing cutting-edge business education. We offer a top-ranked undergraduate program, a range of specialized master’s degrees, multiple MBA program formats, and eight areas of PhD study. Our challenging curriculum, exceptional faculty, and close-knit alumni network ensure Terry students are prepared to become leaders in their professions and communities.

Our Mission

The mission of the Terry College of Business is to educate and inspire future leaders and promote the effective and ethical practice of business. We pursue our mission in three central areas: teaching, research, and service. We commit to provide innovative and market-leading programs that prepare graduates to lead in their organizations and communities. In doing so, we contribute to the intellectual and economic development of our state, nation, and world.

Dean Ayers smiles
  • Dean and Earl Davis Chair in Taxation, Office of the Dean
  • Professor, J.M. Tull School of Accounting

Our Values

Terry believes in nurturing success

As a top 15 public business school, we believe hard work creates a culture of success wherein students learn to be leaders. That leadership results in more successful careers for our students, more successful businesses in our state and nation, and greater economic development in our communities.

Terry believes in supporting faculty

We support our faculty in their teaching and research. We believe in recognizing faculty for producing high-quality scholarship that improves business processes and fuels performance. We encourage faculty to incorporate innovative pedagogy so our curriculum is rigorous, engaging, and prepares graduates for success when they enter the workforce.

Terry believes in developing students

We provide students with an education that inspires critical thinking and encourages creative problem solving. We offer diverse learning opportunities — including certificate programs in entrepreneurship, music business, actuarial science, legal studies, workforce diversity, sustainability, and leadership — to prepare students for the global economy.

Terry believes in making a difference

We take pride in our efforts to support the state of Georgia, and we believe a business education is incomplete if students do not embrace a sense of service and responsibility. Our commitment to service can be seen in our Economic Outlook series and executive education programs, as well as our students’ many service-learning projects and volunteer activities.

Terry believes in building lasting connections

Terry has a vast network of more than 75,000 alumni who donate their time and resources to this great institution. Alumni interact with students by speaking to classes, working with student clubs, serving as mentors, and providing career assistance. Their most notable commitment can be seen in the state-of-the-art, six-building Business Learning Community.

About Our Name

In October 1991, the College of Business Administration was renamed in honor of alumnus Herman Terry and his wife, Mary Virginia. Mr. Terry (BSC ’39) held executive positions with several insurance firms, including president of Dependable Insurance Co. In 1990, the Terrys’ gift held the distinction of being the largest private gift in UGA history. It, along with subsequent gifts, has endowed faculty chairs, summer research programs, student scholarships, and facility upgrades.

Mr. Terry was an emeritus trustee of the UGA Foundation and a 1986 recipient of the Terry College’s Distinguished Alumni Award. Mrs. Terry, a graduate of Valdosta State College, was a major supporter of education, children’s charities, and the arts. She was a charter inductee of the college’s Pinnacle Society, and in 2008 she received the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award. An emeritus trustee of the UGA Arch Foundation, Mrs. Terry was recognized in 2009 for her outstanding service to the university with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters — the highest recognition UGA bestows.

Accreditation

The Terry College of Business and Tull School of Accounting are accredited by AACSB International. Terry holds the distinction of being continuously accredited since 1926. The highest standard of achievement for business schools, less than 5% of the world’s 13,000 programs have earned AACSB accreditation.

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