MACON/ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter, who joined the Mercer University Board of Trustees in December 2012, has recorded a series of short videos that highlight some of the institution's major distinctions.
The video series, titled “Jimmy Carter on Mercer,” was recorded last December and features the 39th president talking about the University's heritage of preparing leaders in a variety of fields. He also highlights some of the institution's signature programs, like Mercer On Mission, an initiative that combines study abroad and service-learning to provide life-changing experiences for students through academic instruction, cultural immersion, meaningful service and spiritual reflection.
Mercer's Board of Trustees is the only board President Carter has served on, other than the Carter Center Board of Trustees, since leaving office. He is believed to be the first former U.S. president to serve on a university governing board in modern times.
“We are deeply grateful to President Carter for taking the time to record these videos,” said Mercer President William D. Underwood. “Over the years, President Carter has become a passionate advocate for the contributions that Mercer makes to higher education and to the communities around the world where our graduates live and serve.”
In one of the videos, President Carter, who served as Georgia's governor before moving on to the White House, talks about the process that began while he was the state's chief executive to establish a medical school at Mercer. Other videos in the series focus on Mercer outcomes, the University's faith tradition and his decision to join the Mercer board.
“I've been looking at what goes on at Mercer University for a number of years. Mercer is preserving – better than any institution I've ever known – the basic principles of the Christian faith that bind a lot of us together. I felt I would serve not only Mercer, but myself and the people whom I care for in my state, nation and world if I helped as a trustee. I am very grateful for this honor,” he said.
All six videos in the series can be viewed at carter.mercer.edu.
