Today, well-developed public service and outreach programs that extend knowledge and expertise to society are accepted as an integral part of the university's mission. In fact, the service program has grown to such a degree that other universities, both in the United States and abroad, are modeling their programs after it. UGA's status as a national leader in public service and outreach would not have been realized without support from the top. Their support over the years is a primary factor in making public service and outreach fully realized and accepted as an equally important mission along with teaching and research. In theory and in practice, public service and outreach is on equal footing with research and teaching.
Service is simply research and teaching with a different twist.
They are using the resources of the university to meet the challenges and problems that accompany change. An outstanding teacher at two universities, an executive in private industry, an agricultural leader and a popular speaker, Younts is an example of lifelong learning. When attending international conferences, he is just as likely to give a speech in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, or Italian as in his native English. For this student of the world, learning six languages is not enough. The future of public service and outreach is in clear focus for Younts.