Valdosta State University announced this morning that former Valdosta State President Hugh C. Bailey passed away last night.

“It is with great sadness that I inform the Valdosta State University family of the death of Dr. Hugh C. Bailey, sixth president of Valdosta State,” VSU President Dr. William McKinney informed the university faculty and staff this morning. “Serving from 1978-2001, Dr. Bailey’s legacy on our campus is apparent not only in its physical structure, but also in its spirit of strong community that we all value so highly.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Joan Bailey, his beloved wife, as well as Debbie and Laura, his daughters.”

Among his many achievements, Bailey led Valdosta State College to university status in 1993. He led the efforts to create a Valdosta State football team.

See Sunday’s editions of The Valdosta Daily Times for more on Bailey and his extraordinary life.