UGA to host lecture by the University of California, Davis, Chancellor Gary May

The University of Georgia's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Office of the Provost will host a lecture by Gary May, Chancellor of the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), on Friday, September 12 at 11 a.m. in the UGA Chapel as part of the Fall 2025 Provost’s Seminar Series. The lecture is free and open to the public. 

May’s lecture, “A Retrospective and Prospective Look at the Value of Higher Education,” will explore and detail the approaches of how universities can lead with both innovation and empathy in an ever-evolving world. Following the lecture, Marshall Shepherd, Associate Dean for Research and Strategic Partnerships for Franklin, will engage May in a discussion on the future of higher education and the importance of sustaining academic momentum. 

A national leader in STEM education and inclusion, May has served as the University of California, Davis Chancellor since 2017. Under his leadership, the university enrolls over 40,000 students, generates more than $1 billion in research funding annually, and contributes $12.5 billion to California’s economy.   

“Dr. May brings a distinguished record of leadership and service from his career in higher education, and we are excited to hear from one of the nation’s most influential voices in higher education,” said Anna Stenport, dean of Franklin College. “Dr. May’s insights promise to inspire reflection, dialogue, and action at a pivotal moment for universities nationwide.”  

An expert in semiconductor manufacturing and expanding inclusion in engineering, May was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2018. In 2020, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his contributions to academic excellence and access. 

A light reception will follow the lecture on the New College lawn.  

Image: Headshot Photo of Gary May