GMC News

A Message from President on GMC Founders Day

Today we celebrate 145 years since the founding of Georgia Military College (GMC), and I am filled with gratitude and pride. As I reflect on our journey, I am reminded of the values that have guided us since our founding on October 14, 1879. For nearly a century and a half, GMC has built on its military heritage, grounded in our core values of Duty, Honor, and Love of Country. Our mission—to provide hope and opportunity through individual growth and education—has remained steadfast, guiding us as we develop our students’ intellect and character in an environment that elevates civility and respect for others.

At GMC, we believe in the power of authentic servant leadership, and our commitment to this mission has shaped every aspect of our institution. From our beginnings as a leadership academy, we have dedicated ourselves to nurturing leaders who serve with integrity and respect. This enduring focus has allowed us to grow into a multi-campus institution, with our K-12 Preparatory School and Junior College Main Campus in Milledgeville, eight Junior College satellite locations across Georgia, and a Global Online Leadership College.

This year has been especially noteworthy for GMC in that our Preparatory School reached new heights with record enrollment, serving nearly 900 students at the start of the 2024-2025 school year. We exceeded the Global Pass Rate for AP scores, finished with a 100% graduation rate for the 15th consecutive year, and earned a nearly perfect score in our JROTC Program of Accreditation. Additionally, our entire GMC Prep School family rallied to earn reaccreditation through Cognia, certifying our school to continue providing excellence for all. The opening of Acker Hall, in honor of GMC’s 19^th President Major General William P. Acker, marks the completion of returning all facilities on Old Capitol Square into instructional space for our students.  This success reflects the dedication of our students, the support of their families, and the tireless efforts of our educators who bring our mission to life every day, providing a quality, character-based education to all.

In our Junior College, we continue to offer pathways of opportunity, allowing students to earn Associate’s degrees in-seat and online and Bachelor of Applied Science degrees online. Last year, we served over 11,000 students through our on-campus and online programs, along with 246 Junior College Cadets. Of those more than 11,000, GMC was able to provide hope and opportunity to over 9,500 students who were first-generation and/or low-income and provide them a pathway to success. Additionally, we are proud to be one of only four Military Junior Colleges in the nation, offering unique programs that embody our leadership principles, including the prestigious U.S. Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program, where our Cadets become commissioned officers in just two years. Our U.S. Service Academy Preparatory Program continues to grow, bringing in approximately 70 new Cadets each year looking to earn an appointment to one of our Nation’s service academies, and with that growth comes continued success with an over 96% placement rate to the academies after a year of preparation at Georgia Military College.

GMC’s junior college athletic programs, too, have flourished with more than 90% of our student-athletes coming from Georgia, proudly representing their communities and our institution. Their commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, is a reflection of the leadership qualities we strive to instill in all our students.

As we head into the future of our historic institution, we aim to take our future leaders’ training to the next level and provide opportunities for growth and development within our local community through the NewDay USA Leadership Speaker Series at Georgia Military College. Held in our newly opened Center of Leadership, world-class leaders will join the ranks of those who have shared their insights with our cadets and community members, like Admiral Michael Mullen who spoke earlier this year, followed by former Secretary of Defense General James Mattis most recently.

Throughout our history, we have stayed true to our mission as a leadership academy, never wavering in our dedication to character development, community service, and the pursuit of knowledge. At GMC, we honor military service and public service and foster a deep respect for the principles that define our nation. As we celebrate our 145th anniversary, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who has been part of our journey. Your contributions—whether as students, faculty, staff, alumni, or community supporters—have strengthened GMC and ensured that our mission endures.

Here’s to the next chapter in our legacy of leadership. Together, we will continue to inspire hope, offer opportunity, nurture potential, and prepare the next generation of leaders who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Happy Anniversary, GMC. The best is yet to come!