University System News:
www.bloomberg.com
Employers talk workforce needs [Savannah Morning News, Ga.] http://www.bloomberg.com/research/markets/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201512150617KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_65280_1671-1
Dec. 15–In the 17th and final meeting of the year, representatives from the University System of Georgia and the state’s technical college system gathered Monday at Savannah Technical College to hear four area employers discuss their most critical workforce needs.

USG Institutions:
www.ajc.com
Augusta University starting scholarship honoring San Bernardino victim
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local-education/augusta-university-starting-scholarship-honoring-s/npjnq/
Janel Davis, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Augusta University, formerly Georgia Regents University, plans to raise money for a scholarship named for Shannon Johnson, a victim of the mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif., and former Augusta College baseball player. The university’s Jaguar baseball team will also wear an honorary decal on their batting helmets for the 2016 season in Johnson’s honor. Johnson, who played baseball for Augusta College in the early 1990s, was one of 14 people killed in a mass shooting Dec. 2 in San Bernardino while attending a Christmas party. While hiding under a table, Johnson shielded a fellow employee, telling her “I got you.” Johnson’s actions and final statement have made him a national hero.

www.noodls.com
Clayton State Holds Annual Fall Commencement Ceremonies
http://www.noodls.com/viewNoodl/31288993/clayton-state-university/clayton-state-holds-annual-fall-commencement-ceremonies
MORROW, Ga-The dream of obtaining a degree from Clayton State University was made real for about 460 students Saturday, December 12 as friends and family proudly cheered them on.
Commencement ceremonies for the Fall 2015 graduating class were held in the University’s Athletics Center with the first ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m. for graduates from the College of Business and the College of Health. Regent James M. Hull with the University System of Georgia delivered the keynote address, telling graduates they are the Peach State’s biggest investment and its future.

www.onlineathens,com
2,807 eligible to graduate in UGA’s fall Commencement ceremonies
http://onlineathens.com/breaking-news/2015-12-15/2807-eligible-graduate-ugas-fall-commencement-ceremonies
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
The University of Georgia will welcome its newest alumni on Friday, Dec. 18, as 1,742 undergraduates and 1,065 graduate students—for a total of 2,807—have met requirements to walk in the university’s fall Commencement ceremonies.

www.chronicle.com
Welcome to Campus. Here Is Your Diploma. Come Back Soon!
http://chronicle.com/article/Welcome-to-Campus-Here-Is/234613?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elq=55f800f765854dcdb6248926f44f3fd1&elqCampaignId=2067&elqaid=7227&elqat=1&elqTrackId=08888583643f4695a9f63815f4e1f402
By Steve Kolowich
When Georgia Tech unveiled its online master’s degree in computer science, in 2013, it sent ripples all the way to the White House. Last week some of its first students met their professors, and one another, just hours before graduating. …Tapping into MOOC mania was a publicity boon for Georgia Tech. Members of Congress praised Georgia Tech administrators for managing to create the new program swiftly and without running afoul of its accreditor. President Obama applauded the university for envisioning a low-cost program that would be “just as rigorous” as a traditional program while producing graduates who were “just as good.” And now, two years later, here they were: the online program’s first graduates.

www.onlineathens,com
UGA’s College of Environment and Design ranked in top 10 nationally
http://onlineathens.com/uga/2015-12-14/uga%E2%80%99s-college-environment-and-design-ranked-top-10-nationally
By UGA NEWS SERVICE
The University of Georgia College of Environment and Design earned top 10 rankings in four categories in DesignIntelligence magazine’s 2016 edition of America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools. The report, which is published by the Design Futures Council—a global network of design, product, construction and real estate leaders—also lists the college’s dean, Daniel Nadenicek, among the 25 Most Admired Educators for 2016.

www.dailyreportonline.com
Georgia State University College of Law’s New International Arbitration Center Partners With Major Arbitration Court
http://www.dailyreportonline.com/recent-news/id=1202744795827/Georgia-State-University-College-of-Laws-New-International-Arbitration-Center-Partners-With-Major-Arbitration-Court?slreturn=20151115081153
Meredith Hobbs, Daily Report
The new Atlanta Center for International Arbitration and Mediation is gaining traction.
One of the world’s largest international arbitration courts, the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), has added the Atlanta center to its roster of arbitral venues. ICDR is the global arm of the American Arbitration Association. The Atlanta Center for International Arbitration and Mediation, which opened this fall, is housed on the fourth floor of Georgia State University College of Law’s new building at 85 Park Place N.E. The agreement gives the New York-based ICDR’s clients a downtown option for hearing arbitrations, in addition to AAA’s regional office on Century Parkway.

www.unionrecorder.com
GMC signs articulation agreement with Kennesaw State
http://www.unionrecorder.com/news/gmc-signs-articulation-agreement-with-kennesaw-state/article_b006dc82-a2b0-11e5-ba8d-d793dc8c316d.html
Special to The U-R
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, president of Georgia Military College (GMC) and Kennesaw State University President Dr. Daniel S. Papp signed an articulation agreement on Thursday, to allow GMC graduates with associate of arts or associate of science degrees, guaranteed admission to Kennesaw State upon meeting minimum admissions requirements. The agreement allows associate degree credits earned at GMC to transfer toward completion of baccalaureate degrees at Kennesaw State. This provides GMC students a seamless transition in order to continue their education.

www.tiftongazette.com
Perry Johnson named new dean of Stafford School of Business at ABAC
http://www.tiftongazette.com/news/local_news/perry-johnson-named-new-dean-of-stafford-school-of-business/article_cc784dba-9d01-11e5-bd7e-c327bffc412f.html
TIFTON — Helping students “be all they can be and providing them with real world business experience” will be the mantra for the new dean of the Stafford School of Business at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Perry Johnson, a former chief investment officer and chief executive officer of BME Investment Partners in Atlanta, has been selected for the position to lead the Stafford School of Business. “I’ve always wanted to come home and help young people discover their true gifts and talents,” Johnson, a 1977 ABAC graduate, said. “I was looking for a place where I could give back to the next generation.” Johnson and his wife, Lucinda, are both from Pearson. He is a 1975 graduate of Atkinson County High School who came to ABAC with a definite purpose in mind. “When I came to ABAC, I was basically illiterate,” Johnson said. “I had a 1.14 GPA at the end of my junior year in high school. My days as a student here were a tremendous blessing to me. Dr. Harold Loyd and the professors at ABAC put me on a life-long path of learning. A little bit of encouragement can have a meaningful impact on students.” ABAC President David Bridges believes Johnson is a good fit for the position.