“The Willson Center plays many critical roles at the University of Georgia – bringing together faculty, students and community, convening meaningful programs that inform and enlighten, supporting faculty research, presenting visiting scholars, writers and artists – truly ‘bringing the world to Georgia and Georgia to the world.’ It also plays a vital role as a hub in Athens in ‘bringing the community to UGA and UGA to the community.’

As a member of the Willson Center’s Board of Friends, I always learn new things whenever I engage with its many, varied, and always edifying activities. One noteworthy way the Center involves the broader community is by frequently presenting its guests to local high school students – Colm Tóibín, Colson Whitehead, Hua Hsu, Valerie Babb and Natasha Tretheway come to mind, all of whom have given well-received talks at local public schools. The Willson Center’s Global Georgia and Delta Chair events are true highlights of the UGA calendar every year, and the speakers the Willson Center attracts add greatly to the intellectual vitality of the university and the greater community.

The Willson Center is a main catalyst for so many indispensable community offerings and indeed, it is hard to imagine life in Athens and around the university without the Center and its essential and consistent programming. I consider it highly worthy of our engagement and support.”

Bertis Downs
Lawyer and Manager, R.E.M.
Member, Willson Center Board of Friends