close window 
Erroll Davis, ’67, the former CEO of Alliant Corporation, was appointed chancellor of Georgia’s university system. He becomes the first black as well as first non-academic to hold the post in a permanent position, according to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution. He will be responsible for overseeing the state’s complex system of 35 colleges and universities.
The Journal-Constitution said Davis, who has served as a member of the Wisconsin board of regents and is on the University of Chicago board of trustees, took the job to "make a difference." It was his experience as a regent that sparked his interest in higher education.
His business background and career as a high-powered executive in the energy industry made him an attractive candidate. The board of regents felt these factors were more important in a time of tight budgets and economic downturn than academic experience.
Davis will manage a university system that has 253,500 students, 35,000 faculty and staff, and an annual budget of $5 billion. The system encompasses a wide range of educational institutions including community colleges, a medical school, and nationally-ranked research universities. Academic programming leads to certificates as well as associate, baccalaureate, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees. Additionally, the University System of Georgia administers the Georgia Public Library Service, which manages the state’s 58 public library systems.
Davis has a distinguished resume of public service. He and his wife, Elaine, have a family foundation that provides college scholarships to underprivileged youth. Davis also sits on the U.S. Olympic Committee Board. He is a 1993 winner of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Chicago GSB.
You can read more about Davis and his new position in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“Chancellor brings fresh perspective,” December 9, 2005
“Executive likely next chancellor: Academia outsider favored,” December 8, 2005
“Ex-CEO in running for chancellor,” December 5, 2005
“3 finalists to head university system named,” November 22, 2005
The Augusta Chronicle carried an interview with Carroll on December 15, 2005. The article was entitled, "Chancellor Gets Set for Georgia."