'Reflections on Georgia Politics' Seminar - Former Governor Marvin Griffin

Young Harris College and the Institute for Continuing Learning's seminars, "Reflections on Georgia Politics," will present a program on former Georgia Governor Marvin Griffin, who held the state's highest office from 1955-1959. Program host, Bob Short, will share his thoughts on the Griffin years on Thursday, April 12 at 3:15 p.m. in the Wilson Lecture Hall on the Young Harris College campus. The seminar, which is open to the community free of charge, provides participants with an inside look at Georgia's public servants over the past five decades.

Marvin Griffin succeeded Herman Talmadge as governor, and after increasing the state's income tax revenues, he pushed through legislation which helped move Georgia in to a position of strength. Griffin's Rural Roads Authority paved over 12,000 miles of roads, and his expenditures on education brought Georgia teachers a 25% pay increase. In addition, Griffin built science and technology centers at the state's major universities, along with the development of Stone Mountain Park. Known as an ardent segregationist, Griffin, nonetheless, appropriated record amounts of money on black schools and teacher salaries.

Marvin Griffin's public life began when he served as Editor of the Bainbridge Post- Searchlight, the newspaper which is still edited by the Griffin family. His political career ended with his defeat to Governor Carl Sanders in 1962. Griffin, known for his sense of humor, said after his loss to Sanders that he was retiring from politics due to ill health- "The voters were sick and tired of me."

Other April programs in the "Reflections on Georgia Politics" series are as follows: Thursday April 19, former Governor George Busbee, and Thursday April 26, Senator Johnny Isakson.

Contact the Office of Administration at Young Harris College (706-379-5164) for additional information. ICL is a not-for-profit organization with excess operating moneys going toward scholarships for students at YHC. In its 16th year of operation, the Institute offers a wide range of educational opportunities for adults of all ages.

Founded in 1886, Young Harris College is a private, core liberal arts college focused on university preparation. Historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, a primary goal of Young Harris College is to provide a quality education for the whole person: intellectually, socially, culturally, and spiritually. To learn more about Young Harris College, visit us at www.yhc.edu.