Former chancellor of University System dies

Hank Huckaby served state in wide range of positions,

Henry “Hank” Huckaby couldn’t seem to extricate himself from tough state jobs and even once famously took a pay cut to take one.

He served the state of Georgia in a wide range of positions over several decades.

When asked to become chancellor of the University System of Georgia, he explained the attraction.

“Being a Georgia boy who got his degrees in the university system, never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be doing this,”

Huckaby told The Atlanta Journal-constitution in 2011. “I like challenges, and the jobs I’ve had in state government have been challenging. This is what I enjoy doing.”

Hank Huckaby, 79, died Wednesday after suffering a stroke last week.

“He cared a lot about this state, and he cared a lot about education. He literally devoted his life to it,” said Steve Wrigley, who succeeded Huckaby as chancellor in 2017 and had been his friend since 1987.

“He had retired from UGA, then decided to run for the Legislature and got elected and then was asked to serve as chancellor,” Wrigley recalled. “He didn’t have to do that. He had already had a

getting vaccinated, “economic activity should pick up over the course of 2021,” said Abbey Omodunbi, senior economist at PNC Financial Services Group.

But, for right now, many still face challenges.

Marquist Rhodes, 43, made his living as a full-time Lyft driver until the pandemic. He still drives some days, but the pickings are slim. He depends on unemployment benefits to pay his family’s rent.

He’s optimistic riders will come back to Lyft soon. “I think it’s still going to take having more people trust enough to get out there,” he said.

Economists agree: Attitude is crucial to recovery. The health of the economy is dependent on people feeling the spread of the virus is contained.

When all schools are reopened, many parents will be free to take jobs that require them to be in offices and shops, said Daniel Zhao, senior economist for Glassdoor, a jobs listing, ratings and research site. And, as more people are vaccinated, more consumers will venture out.

“The most important economic stimulus is getting the pandemic under control,” Zhao said.

BOB ANDRES/AJC 2011 Hank Huckaby (left) is presented the Chancellor’s Medallion at his 2011 induction as 12th chancellor of the University System of Georgia in an investiture ceremony in the Georgia State Capitol’s House Chamber. He died Wednesday after a stroke last week.