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Former University of North Georgia (¹û¶³´«Ã½) President Sherman Day passed away March 20 at age 86. Day served as president from 1996-1999.

"We remember and honor the important legacy of former ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President Sherman Day," ¹û¶³´«Ã½ President Michael Shannon said. "While we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the profound impact he had on our university and the lives of those he touched."

Day came to North Georgia as an interim president expecting to be at the university for three months, then later became the permanent president and served for a total of three years. Years later, Day remains a beloved figure in ¹û¶³´«Ã½'s history for his ability to engage with students, faculty and staff. The Day Conference Room in Price Memorial Hall is named in his honor.

"When Dr. Day arrived on our campus, he quickly earned the trust and support of our faculty, staff and students. His leadership style inspired confidence," Mike Hyams, retired vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, said. "He was a man of impeccable character and trust, a natural leader. We were indeed fortunate to have Dr. Day as our president."

Even after leaving ¹û¶³´«Ã½, Day was instrumental in the establishment of ¹û¶³´«Ã½'s Cumming Campus in 2012.

Prior to his time at ¹û¶³´«Ã½, Day served in a variety of other service roles, including a two-year stint as acting president at Georgia State University from 1991 through 1992 following more than a decade on the faculty there. Day also later served stints as interim president at Gordon State College in Barnesville, Georgia, and Bainbridge College.

Other major roles in his career included time as director of the National Institute of Corrections, assistant director of the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, and managing director of Legacy and Olympic Programs for the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games.

Day is preceded in death by his wife, Afton, and survived by three daughters and a son.

"Since my arrival at ¹û¶³´«Ã½, I had the privilege of spending time with Sherm. He was a great man who loved ¹û¶³´«Ã½, our mission and our athletic teams. As we reflect on Sherman Day's life and contributions, let us carry forward his spirit of dedication and commitment to excellence," Shannon said. "His legacy will forever be woven into the fabric of our university, inspiring generations to come. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to know him. He will be missed."