Introduction from the Dean
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

The highlight of this academic year was the naming of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. This was a defining moment for our college. It was also a year when we had visits from significant world leaders. We co-hosted a conference that brought Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, to campus, and we had lectures from President Benjamin William Mkapa of the United Republic of Tanzania, and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria. Governor Roy Barnes took an interest in our programs and involved us in his policy advisory groups in taxation, education and the environment.

We worked hard at our teaching, we marketed our programs aggressively and we improved our curriculum. The results were encouraging: enrollment was up by 24 percent over last year, our total headcount in classes was 7,424 students, and we began an off-site undergraduate program at Delta Air Lines with great success. About 141 students participated in our internship and service learning programs. In all, we graduated 67 undergraduate majors, 71 master's degree students, and 13 Ph.D.s.

The scholarship of our faculty and research associates matched last year's terrific output. We wrote 225 papers, have another 100 out for review, and made about 150 presentations around the country. Clearly our policy school is gaining in reputation as our faculty is increasingly called on for national forums and participation in professional activity. We edit five journals, and we peer-reviewed for over 100 others in 1999. We are especially proud of our graduate students, who had 18 papers published or accepted this year, presented at 10 conferences and worked in six countries.

Our centers and programs continued their strong vision, leadership and entrepreneurship. Under their leadership, important policy issues were addressed, scholarship was enhanced, graduate students were involved, and much good work was brought to the classroom. We continued a tradition of "asking good questions," and worked on evaluation of education policies, rural health care, state government finances, and the quality of the environment. Our global focus is stronger than ever. We had a second successful year in our capacity as fiscal advisors to the Russian Federation. Our faculty and associates worked in 37 countries this year, either as advisors on policy issues, presenters of papers or as visiting professors.

We reached out. We assisted the state and the community in many ways: as advisors, speakers, board members, and teachers. We trained, in areas as diverse as government accounting and rehabilitation counseling. We think we improved the policy discussion in our state. We were regularly featured in the printed media, and led a TV dialogue on better public policy. We advised the Governor and the Legislature on such important issues as tax policy, education reform, and environmental policy.

Our fund raising programs were successful in 1999. Our total grants and contracts outstanding during the year were about $37 million, more than four times the amount of our regular college budget. We began our endowment campaign successfully and attracted a number of significant gifts.

So, 1999 was quite a year. I expect 2000 to be even better.