Invested: President Georj Lewis celebrated, installed at Investiture ceremony

(October 1, 2024) - Clayton State University welcomed esteemed special guests, faculty, staff, students, and the community to the Investiture Ceremony for Georj. L. Lewis, Ed.D., on Friday, September 20, at Spivey Hall to watch Dr. Lewis be officially installed as the sixth president in the institution’s history.

Dr. Lewis started his career in higher education 30 years ago, and for the past 20 years, he has served in varying increasing roles of leadership, such as Dean of Students at Georgia Southern University, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at Indiana University Northwest, and Vice President for Student Affairs at Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University.

In May 2019, Dr. Lewis was tapped to serve as president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College before officially being named the institution’s fourth president in November of that year.  

He served in that role until February 2023 when he was appointed President of Clayton State University.

Numerous colleagues throughout the state of Georgia congratulated Pres. Lewis, his family, and Clayton State University at the investiture, saying there is no one more capable for the task of leading CSU into its next chapter than a longtime advocate for education from southwestern Pennsylvania.

“I’m honored to congratulate Dr. Lewis on his investiture as president of Clayton State University,” said Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “With Clayton State consistently ranked one of the best values students can have in pursuing their education, I know Dr. Lewis will continue the good work of pouring into our next generation so they can enjoy successful careers. As the sixth president of this great institution, I am confident Dr. Lewis will be a valued addition to the long line of leaders who have impacted Georgia’s communities and students for the better.”

“The American Assoc. of Colleges and Universities released a study in partnership with Academic Search on the leadership competencies of a president,” said Dr. Stuart Rayfield, President of Columbus State University. The top three leadership qualities included ‘behaving in a way that is trustworthy, consistent and accountable,’ ‘demonstrating resilience and the ability to cope with adversity,’ and ‘communicating effectively and authentically in formal and informal settings.’ I’ve witnessed these qualities in my friend, Georj Lewis. My respect and admiration for him has grown over the years. He’s passionate about the work we do and the students we serve.”

“Dr. Lewis got his start professionally by focusing on admissions, especially on the recruitment, enrollment, and retention of underserved students,” said Regent Cade Joiner of the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. “That passion has guided him throughout his life. He has always prioritized student service, support, and success. To our students, know that he is your advocate. He wants to see you develop not only in the classroom, but also in the community. You can see that in his work across the University System, especially right here at Clayton State.”

“When I think about Dr. Lewis, a few words immediately come to mind – integrity, vision, passion, and dedication,” said Dr. Michael J. Barnes, a longtime friend of Dr. Lewis. “Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching Georj grow into a leader who not only understands the complexities of higher education, but also leads with heart and a deep sense of purpose. It is often said that the best leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders. That’s exactly what Dr. Lewis does ... As we celebrate his installation as president, it’s important to remember that his impact is not confined just to the world of education. It stretches into his role as a husband, father, and dear friend, where his compassion, dedication, and leadership shines very brightly.”

“To say that Dr. Lewis is familiar with Georgia students and their needs is an understatement – that has been his life,” said USG Chancellor Dr. Sonny Perdue. “Pres. Lewis wants to strengthen students’ experiences – academic as well as work experiences. He wants to make sure we retain students and help them succeed. We’ve already seen increases in enrollment and retention, and we’ve seen Clayton State ranked as the fifth-best college in Georgia in the 2025 Wall Street [Journal] national rankings. As the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, you need to know that I believe in Georj Lewis, this institution, and its mission.”

Upon donning the medallion that bears the seal of Clayton State University from Dr. Perdue, Pres. Lewis thanked all who attended for their many years of love and support before further speaking on the importance of CSU’s mission of Social Mobility.

Lewis said there is nothing he takes lightly about his or the university’s role in creating a positive impact in the lives of all Lakers, and that he is excited for what the future holds for all who receive an education and degree from Clayton State University during his time as the institution’s president.

“There are 225 million working-aged people in this country ... less than one quarter of 1% are university presidents,” Lewis said. “I’m not taking this lightly and will never take it for granted. Without [our students], there is no ‘us.’ They are 6,100-strong, their average age is about 24-25 years old, they are overrepresented to some and underrepresented to others, but they are just right for us here at Clayton State University. I pledge to each of you that I will be in the trenches in working toward our purpose by embracing change, being patient, and being accountable. Let’s go to work and ‘Go Lakers.’”