10 In the Summer of 2017, Dr. Richard A. Carvajal, president of Valdosta State University, was named chairman of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Rural Prosperity Council鈥檚 Talent and Leadership Development Subcommittee. He was charged with helping to develop an action plan designed to attract and retain the best and brightest citizens with the talent and leadership potential necessary to help the state鈥檚 rural communities stay economically competitive on a national 鈥� and even international 鈥� level. Carvajal accepted the challenge, motivated by his love for South Georgia. 鈥淚 love living in rural Georgia,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 home, and I hope it鈥檚 my forever home.鈥� Carvajal said that his work with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce鈥檚 Rural Prosperity Council aligns well with VSU鈥檚 regional mission to provide South Georgia with the resources and support necessary to develop and sustain a higher quality of living, greater economic and community development, and inspired innovation. He WRITTEN BY JESSICA R. POPE, HALLE ZIMMERMAN, & REBEKAH FOSTER PHOTOS BY PAUL LEAVY inspiring Regional Comprehensive Progress VSU READY TO PLANT ITS FLAG AS SOUTH GEORGIA鈥橲 PREEMINENT UNIVERSITY