College of Business Administration named for prominent Valdosta businessman

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents (BOR) gave approval, during its monthly board meeting on Nov. 15, for Valdosta State University to name the College of Business Administration the Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration.

In recognition of this event, Mr. Langdale and the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation will make a gift of $1 million to the College of Business Administration through the Valdosta State University Foundation.

According to Ray Devery, vice president for Institutional Advancement, this represents the largest cash donation that the VSU Foundation has ever received. "This is a landmark gift and we are honored to be affiliated with Langdale Industries and the Langdale Foundation," Devery said.

"Valdosta State University's College of Business Administration is honored to have the opportunity to be associated with Harley Langdale, Jr.," said Kenneth Stanley, dean of the College of Business Administration and professor of finance. "In addition to being an adroit businessman, Mr. Langdale is a fine gentleman."

"Mr. Langdale was primarily responsible for the development of the Langdale Company, a premier South Georgia business enterprise which conducts world-wide business," said President Hugh C. Bailey of Valdosta State University. "His leadership in many business, philanthropic and community enterprises has been outstanding. It is a privilege for the College of Business Administration to bear his name."

Harley Langdale, Jr. serves as chairman of the board for Langdale Industries, Inc. He graduated from Valdosta High School, attended the Citadel and was the first person from Lowndes County to graduate from the University of Georgia's School of Forestry. He became a registered forester and was assigned the number three by the State of Georgia. His wife, Eileen Cox, attended Valdosta High School and Georgia State Woman's College, which later became Valdosta State College.

The College of Business Administration offers Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in accounting, economics, finance, management and marketing. A Master of Business Administration degree is offered both in a traditional classroom setting or through a totally online web-based program. The college is home to the South Georgia Institute and the Small Business Development Center.

Currently, there are more than 1,400 undergraduate students enrolled in the College of Business Administration.