John Fuchko named sole finalist for Dalton State College president

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John Fuchko

Credit: Capitol Beat News Service

ATLANTA — The University System of Georgia Board of Regents Wednesday named John Fuchko III sole finalist to become the next president of Dalton State College.

Fuchko has served as Dalton’s interim president since June, when Margaret Venable retired after eight years as the school’s first female president. Immediately before that, he was interim president at Columbus State University.

Fuchko also has spent time in the university’s central office, first as the system’s chief audit officer, then as vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness. In that role, he oversaw administrative functions including accreditation, athletics, and ethics.

“Working directly with students, faculty and staff has only served to energize John’s passion for higher education and its importance to Georgia families and our state,” system Chancellor Sonny Perdue said.

“I understand the importance of faculty and staff excellence, its relationship to student success, and the connectedness of both to the stakeholders and communities Dalton State serves,” Fuchko added. “I am deeply honored to be named a finalist to lead one of the best colleges in Georgia.”

Fuchko, a Georgia native, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kennesaw State University. A decorated colonel in the Georgia Army National Guard, he holds masters’ degrees from the U.S. Army War College and the National Intelligence University, as well as an MBA from Georgia State University. He earned a doctorate in education at the University of Georgia.

Dalton State College is a four-year institution with a sizable Hispanic student population, reflecting the demographics of Northwest Georgia.

The Board of Regents will take final action on Fuchko’s appointment within the next five days.

This story comes to GPB through a reporting partnership with Capitol Beat News Service.