The Corporation Of Mercer University

Macon, GA · Founded 1946

Governing body of Baptist-affiliated private university in Georgia

Primary audience
Students
Work area
Education
Topic
Academic Programs
Contact
William Underwood

About Organization

Based in Macon, GA, The Corporation of Mercer University governs a comprehensive private university offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Founded in 1833, the institution reported $474.8 million in revenue for 2023, educating students across multiple campuses in liberal arts, sciences, business, engineering, medicine, law, and theology with Baptist heritage and commitment to service.

What They Focus On

Academic Excellence

Delivers quality educational programs through qualified faculty, rigorous curricula, and effective teaching methodologies supporting student learning.

Student Success

Supports student achievement through comprehensive services including advising, tutoring, counseling, and resources facilitating completion.

Community Impact

Engages with community through partnerships, outreach programs, and educational initiatives contributing to regional development.

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2021)

$477.2M

+7.7% vs 2021

Assets (2021)

$1.0B

+7.1% vs 2021

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2021
2021 $443,031,895 $417,045,694 $969,819,190 4,526
2020
2020 $444,048,225 $389,289,694 $975,470,567 4,388
2019 $406,533,025 $378,383,886 $834,032,550 4,641
2018 $396,023,419 $370,516,792 $808,696,382 4,545
2017 $376,143,289 $352,944,856 $743,858,053 4,403

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Enroll Students

    Recruit and admit students seeking educational opportunities aligned with institutional academic offerings and mission.

  • 02

    Deliver Instruction

    Provide quality teaching through qualified faculty using effective pedagogical approaches and educational resources.

  • 03

    Support Learning

    Offer student services, tutoring, advising, and resources facilitating academic success and personal development.

  • 04

    Assess Outcomes

    Evaluate student learning, program effectiveness, and institutional performance to ensure educational quality.

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by The Corporation Of Mercer University

Academic Programs

Delivers courses, degree programs, and educational curricula supporting student learning and credential attainment.

Student Services

Provides support services including advising, tutoring, counseling, and resources facilitating student success.

Faculty Development

Supports instructor professional growth through training, resources, and programs enhancing teaching effectiveness.

Community Engagement

Connects institution with community through partnerships, outreach programs, and collaborative educational initiatives.

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind The Corporation Of Mercer University.

WU

William Underwood

President/Professor Of Law
Full-time
Compensation: $463,038
AM

Andrea Mitchell

Executive Director
Full-time
Compensation: $247,286
JH

John Hawkins

Associate Professor
Full-time
Compensation: $492,080
JS

Jean Sumner

Dean/Professor
Full-time
Compensation: $427,489
JN

James Netherton

Exec VP - Admin & Finance
Full-time
Compensation: $336,579
DD

David Davis

Provost/Professor
Full-time
Compensation: $318,382
EG

Edwin Grimsley

Senior Associate Dean, Macon
Full-time
Compensation: $299,049
MS

Maurice Solis

Professor
Full-time
Compensation: $297,810
GG

Gregory Gary

Head Men's Basketball Coach
Full-time
Compensation: $292,500
PE

Penny Elkins

Sr VP - Enrollment Mgmt
Full-time
Compensation: $287,867
LC

Lera Cox

Adjunct
Full-time
Compensation: $282,882
JP

John Patterson

Sr VP - Univ Advancement
Full-time
Compensation: $264,059
LB

Larry Brumley

Sr VP - Marketing Comm
Full-time
Compensation: $246,709
WS

William Solomon IV

Sr VP & General Counsel
Full-time
Compensation: $239,104
KA

Kellie Appel

Sr VP - Strategic Initiati
Full-time
Compensation: $232,781
AG

Anita Gustafson

Dean/Professor Of History
Full-time
Compensation: $154,544
JS

James S Netherton

Exec VP-Admin & Fin.

Milestones

1950

Institution Founded

1950

Established to provide educational opportunities and academic programs serving student learning needs.

2024

Current Operations

2024

Operating with $477.2M in revenue and 0 staff delivering educational programs.

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

JD
Julia Davis Avp Finance & Treasurer 40.00 hrs/week · $167,525
AR
A Rabun A Matthews III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
AA
Ashley Amos Copelan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
BW
Benjamin W Griffith III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CT
Carolyn Townsend McAfee Bruner Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CL
Charles L Cantrell III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CR
Chris R Sheridan Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
CG
Curtis G Anderson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DE
David E Hudson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DE
David E Linch Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DB
Dr Barbara Brown Taylor Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DJ
Dr James C Elder Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DR
Dr Roy Head Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Dr Shaun King Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Dr Spencer B King III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DS
Dr Stanley Demetrius Jones Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
DJ
Dwight J Davis Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
EM
Eli Morgan Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GH
G Holmes Bell IV Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GC
Gen Claude M Kicklighter Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
GG
Gene Gabbard Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HD
Heather Darden Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HM
Hon M Yvette Miller Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HM
Hon Marc Treadwell Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HM
Hon Maxine Cynthia Morris Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HM
Hon Michael Boggs Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HN
Hon Nathan Deal Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HW
Hon W Homer Drake Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
HW
Hon W Louis Sands Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JC
J Curtis Lewis III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JH
J Henry Walker Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JR
J Reg Murphy Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JT
J Thomas McAfee III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JB
Jackie Baugh Moore Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JW
James William Thomas Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JN
Jennifer Nunn Tarbutton Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JS
Jerry S Wilson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JC
Jimmy Carter Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
JL
Julie Long Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
LC
Liza Chapman Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MB
Marshall Butler Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MD
Mary Diane Owens Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
MP
Miller Peterson Robinson Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RM
Raymond M Warren III Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RA
Richard A Schneider Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
RF
Robert F Hatcher Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
TP
Thomas P Bishop Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
VL
Virgil L Adams Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
WA
William A Moye Chair 1.00 hrs/week
WB
William Bradley Turner Jr Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
WH
William H Anderson II Trustee 1.00 hrs/week
Making A Genuine Difference
Making A Genuine Difference Board Member
Embracing the Orange and Black
Embracing the Orange and Black Board Member
Global Impact
Global Impact Board Member

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2021)

$5.5M

Highest Paid

$551K

John Hawkins

Compensated Officers

15

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
John Hawkins Associate Professor $492,080 $58,515 $550,595 40
William Underwood President/Professor Of Law $463,038 $57,952 $520,990 40
Jean Sumner Dean/Professor $427,489 $52,224 $479,713 40
James Netherton EXEC VP - Admin & Finance $336,579 $57,270 $393,849 40
David Davis Provost/Professor $318,382 $72,532 $390,914 40
Edwin Grimsley Senior Associate Dean, Macon $299,049 $51,315 $350,364 40
Maurice Solis Professor $297,810 $45,155 $342,965 40
Penny Elkins SR VP - Enrollment MGMT $287,867 $47,455 $335,322 40
John Patterson SR VP - Univ Advancement $264,059 $67,079 $331,138 40
Lera Cox Adjunct $282,882 $47,861 $330,743 40
Gregory Gary Head Men'S Basketball Coach $292,500 $14,446 $306,946 40
Andrea Mitchell Executive Director $247,286 $51,689 $298,975 40
William Solomon IV SR VP & General Counsel $239,104 $52,748 $291,852 40
Kellie Appel SR VP - Strategic Initiati $232,781 $53,566 $286,347 40
Larry Brumley SR VP - Marketing COMM $246,709 $28,029 $274,738 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Partners & Funders

Grant funding relationships from IRS Form 990 filings

$6.4M Grants Received
23 Organizations

Top Funders

23 total
MF
Mercerw F George Sch Law Gww Co Tr
$2.4M
LP
Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc
$942K
TC
The Chicago Community Trust
$584K
NC
National Collegiate Athletic Association
$561K
MS
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. 2 grants
$540K
AH
American Heart Association Inc
$308K
FI
Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund
$189K
EU
Emory University
$152K
GI
Georgia Independent College
$131K
GD
Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund
$100K
+13 more funders
Mercerw F George Sch Law Gww Co Tr Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc The Chicago Community Trust National Collegiate Athletic Association Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. American Heart Association Inc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Emory University Georgia Independent College Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc. Community Foundation Of The Chattanooga Christian Community FRAXA Research Foundation Inc The Community Foundation For Hispanic Scholarship Fund Tulsa Community Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Navicent Health Foundation Inc. Georgia Youth Science And Tech Cent Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund Communities Of Coastal Georgia National Space Grant Foundation
Mercerw F George Sch Law Gww Co Tr Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Inc The Chicago Community Trust National Collegiate Athletic Association Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc. American Heart Association Inc Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund Emory University Georgia Independent College Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc. Community Foundation Of The Chattanooga Christian Community FRAXA Research Foundation Inc The Community Foundation For Hispanic Scholarship Fund Tulsa Community Foundation American Online Giving Foundation Inc. Navicent Health Foundation Inc. Georgia Youth Science And Tech Cent Bny Mellon Charitable Gift Fund Communities Of Coastal Georgia National Space Grant Foundation

Source: IRS Form 990 Schedule I filings. Amounts may span multiple tax years.

Federal Funding

Government awards and grants from USAspending.gov

$32.4M Total Obligated
$32.4M Total Amount
21 Awards
4 Agencies

By Agency

Education $17.8M
HHS $14.3M
USDA $225K
NASA $100K

Awards (Top 20)

Agency Award ID Type Period Amount
Education P063P240087 DIRECT PAYMENT FOR SPECIFIED USE, AS A SUBSIDY OR OTHER NON-REIMBURSABLE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID (C) 2024-2030 $12,313,407
HHS H4932732 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2019-2029 $6,988,466
Education P063P250087 DIRECT PAYMENT FOR SPECIFIED USE, AS A SUBSIDY OR OTHER NON-REIMBURSABLE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID (C) 2025-2031 $5,324,593
HHS D4045679 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2022-2025 $1,312,053
HHS R15HL138603 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2017-2022 $887,160
HHS P1345796 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2022-2025 $750,000
HHS R01HL167926 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2024-2029 $657,602
HHS K01DA055068 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2022-2027 $626,685
HHS R15AI176177 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2024-2027 $429,545
HHS R15HL156138 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2021-2025 $424,500
HHS R15NS118352 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2020-2023 $424,499
HHS R21DA061097 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2024-2026 $387,750
HHS R21GM155785 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2024-2026 $387,723
HHS G08LM014104 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2022-2025 $380,911
HHS R15AI152023 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2020-2024 $339,592
HHS G3950220 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2023-2024 $238,905
USDA CLSS00000075515 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2023-2025 $224,500
Education P379T260087 DIRECT PAYMENT FOR SPECIFIED USE, AS A SUBSIDY OR OTHER NON-REIMBURSABLE DIRECT FINANCIAL AID (C) 2025-2046 $139,092
HHS P1053114 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2024-2025 $99,994
NASA 80NSSC24K1453 PROJECT GRANT (B) 2025-2026 $99,914

+ 1 more awards

Source: USAspending.gov. Amounts represent total federal obligations.

Contact

Get in touch with The Corporation Of Mercer University

Visit Website
1501 Mercer University Drive Macon, GA 31207