Columbus State’s interim president has a new role in the University System of Georgia

The next step in the career of Columbus State University’s interim president has been decided.

John Fuchko III, who has led CSU since Chris Markwood retired last summer, will be interim president of Dalton State College, effective June 1.

University System of Georgia chancellor Sonny Perdue announced the move Wednesday. Dalton State president Margaret Venable is retiring May 31.

The USG Board of Regents voted in March to hire Stuart Rayfield as CSU’s new president. Rayfield, a CSU faculty member and administrator from 2006-16, is USG’s interim executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Fuchko has 17 years of experience in USG.

“Dr. Fuchko has outstanding experience as a campus leader and with the university system office, and will serve Dalton State and its students, faculty and staff well in the interim,” Perdue said in the news release. “We appreciate his willingness to step into the role and are very grateful to President Venable, who spent more than 30 years making the university system better.

“Her leadership of Dalton State over the past eight years has helped make the college one of the top state colleges in the southeast. We thank her for her service and hope she enjoys her well-earned retirement.”

Fuchko’s most recent role at the USG office was as vice chancellor for organizational effectiveness, overseeing strategic implementation, accreditation, athletics, ethics and risk, as well as other administrative functions.

He joined USG’s Office of Internal Audits in July 2006. He has served as USG’s chief audit officer and vice chancellor for internal audit, which included responsibility for 25 campus shops and 80 professional staff.

Fuchko is a decorated colonel in the Georgia Army National Guard. He commands the 122nd Regiment. His two decades of service have included roles such as battalion commander for the 221st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Battalion and two deployments to the Middle East.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Dalton State community and working with faculty and staff as we continue to serve the college’s hard-working students and keep them headed for success,” Fuchko said in the news release. “President Venable has done an incredible job, and I appreciate Chancellor Perdue’s confidence in me to take on this role as the search committee and the Board of Regents do their work.”

Fuchko has been an officer and board member for several nonprofits, including Epiphany Byzantine Catholic Church. He is chairman of the Center for Family Resources.

A Georgia native, Fuchko earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kennesaw State University, an MBA from Georgia State University, a master’s degree in strategic intelligence from the National Intelligence University, a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia. He also holds multiple professional certifications. He and his wife, Sherie, have 12 children.