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Atlanta — August 23, 2022

“On behalf of Chancellor Sonny Perdue, the Board of Regents and the faculty, staff and students of the University System of Georgia, we are deeply saddened by the passing of former Georgia First Lady Sandra Dunagan Deal. Mrs. Deal was an incredible advocate for literacy and student achievement. A former teacher, she crisscrossed Georgia reading to students in all 159 counties and 181 school districts. As co-chair of the Georgia Literacy Commission, she worked to improve multigenerational literacy rates. As chairwoman of the Georgia Children’s Cabinet, Mrs. Deal focused attention on improving the lives and welfare of children and families. She embodied the university system’s mission of knowledge, and she especially embodied our ideal of applying knowledge through service. Whether it was co-writing a book about the Georgia Governor’s Mansion with Kennesaw State University faculty or serving on the Board of Trustees for Georgia College & State University, her alma mater, Mrs. Deal always answered the call of extraordinary service to higher education in this state. And she did so ‘with a servant’s heart.’ Our hearts are with her family and her husband, former Gov. Nathan Deal, as we acknowledge and celebrate her passion for learning, commitment to young people and, most of all, for inspiring generations of Georgians.”

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