Pierce retiring from Georgia Highlands

Georgia Highlands College President Randy Pierce said will retire at the end of the year.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have served the University System of Georgia and the citizens of this state for almost 40 years,” Pierce said in a news release.

“While I look forward to a new chapter of my life, I nevertheless feel a certain sadness at the thought of leaving the wonderful people at Georgia Highlands with whom I have been honored to work,” Pierce added. “So many committed professionals throughout the University System have made my work rewarding and successful.”

Pierce has served as the Rome college’s president since June 2001. Officials say the college’s enrollment increased 131 percent during Pierce’s tenure.

“He has been very astute in interfacing with the community as a whole, serving in a variety of committee chairmanships at the Chamber of Commerce and participating actively in civic organizations,” Willis Potts, a member and past chair of the Board of Regents and a Floyd County resident, said in a news release.

Georgia Highlands College opened in 1970 as Floyd Junior College and was later renamed Floyd College, In 2005, it was renamed Georgia Highlands College.