The University of Georgia, located in Athens, Georgia, was founded in 1785 as the first public institution of higher education in the United States. The Georgia General Assembly granted a charter to establish the university, which was initially named Franklin College, as a result of the efforts of Abraham Baldwin, who would become the first president of the university. The university was established with a focus on offering a liberal arts education and promoting learning, research, and service. It has since grown to become a comprehensive research university and a prominent center for education and innovation in the state and the region.
