University System News:
www.statesboroherald.com
SACS greenlights GSU-Armstrong consolidation
Consolidation plan now goes to the Board of Regents
http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/1/article/82998/
From staff reports
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges gave its approval Tuesday for the consolidation of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University, as well another proposed merger within the University System of Georgia. The SACS commission is a regional accrediting organization for colleges and universities, mainly in the Southern states. A prospectus developed by a committee at Georgia Southern and Armstrong State for their merger as the “new Georgia Southern” effective in January was submitted to the SACSCOC. Now the consolidation plan goes to the Board of Regents of the University System, which announced it is scheduled to review the final recommendation during a telephonic meeting called for Tuesday, Dec. 12. The regents launched the process with a vote last January.
www.bizjournals.com
Accreditor OKs two more University System of Georgia mergers
https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2017/12/05/accreditoroks-two-more-university-system-of.html
By Dave Williams – Staff Writer
The regional accrediting body for Southern colleges and universities signed off Tuesday on plans to consolidate Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University as well as the merger of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Bainbridge State College. Approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges was the final step necessary for the University System of Georgia Board of Regents to review and vote on the consolidations. “Creating the new Georgia Southern University and the new Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will allow us to better serve students, broaden and redesign academic programs and reinvest savings into academics to improve student success,” system Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. With the completion of the consolidations, the number of institutions in the university system will be reduced from 28 to 26. The system included 35 colleges and universities before then-Chancellor Hank Huckaby launched a series of mergers in 2011 to cut costs and improve the quality of education.
www.thepostsearchlight.com
SACSCOC approves BSC consolidation
By Staff Reports
Today, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) gave its approval to the consolidation plans of Georgia Southern University and Armstrong State University and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) and Bainbridge State College. Chancellor Steve Wrigley first announced the consolidation plans to create the new combined institutions in January 2017.
www.wfxl.com
New approval issued for college consolidation in Georgia
http://wfxl.com/news/state-news/abac-bainbridge-state-consolidation-approved
By Fox31 Staff
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Bainbridge State College along with Georgia Southern and Armstrong State University has been given approval to consolidate from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
www.savannahnow.com
Combined Armstrong, Georgia Southern one last step away from approval
http://savannahnow.com/news/2017-12-05/combined-armstrong-georgia-southern-one-last-step-away-approval
By Savannah Morning News
Officials say they have cleared a significant hurdle in the consolidation of Savannah’s Armstrong State University and Georgia Southern University after the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved the consolidation plans on Tuesday.
www.albanyherald.com
Family’s generosity to Georgia Southwestern State continues
Subers’ bequest will benefit GSW business school, Rosalynn Carter Institute
http://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/family-s-generosity-to-georgia-southwestern-state-continues/article_287ba501-d682-5e76-b567-b00de812cba6.html
Staff Reports
The late Jean and Joe Subers continued a family tradition of generosity and caring with their bequest to Georgia Southwestern State University. The University has benefited greatly from the generosity of Jean Subers’ sister, Betty Pope, and her late husband, John, over the years. The Doris B. Deriso Pool and the James G. Deriso Business Scholarship Fund bear Betty Pope’s family name, and the John & Betty Pope Fellowship program within GSW’s Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving offers substantial scholarships to more than a dozen students each year. That positive impact will only increase. A bequest of $390,000 following the passing of Betty Pope’s sister and brother-in-law (Jean and Joe Subers) will be donated evenly to the James G. Deriso Business Scholarship and to the RCI. Additionally, the Subers left $195,000 to the Carter Center in Atlanta. The bequest was presented recently by the Subers family at a special ceremony prior to the 30th Annual RCI Gala.
www.cbs46.com
Civil rights leaders to rally in support of KSU cheerleaders
http://www.cbs46.com/story/37005058/civil-rights-leaders-to-rally-in-support-of-ksu-cheerleaders
By WGCL Digital Team
KENNESAW, GA (CBS46) –
Civil right leaders will gather on the campus of Kennesaw State University on Wednesday to publicly blast school officials for the handling of the cheerleaders who took a knee for the National Anthem during a game in September. Local pastors and civil right leaders informed CBS46 News that they plan to meet on the campus grounds at 11 a.m. to give a public response to a recent report by the KSU board of regents. The report took the university to task for not following state legal guidance after the five cheerleaders decided to kneel during the anthem.
www.northwestgeorgianews.com
Gov. Nathan Deal touts agriculture’s role in Georgia’s economy
http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/news/state/gov-nathan-deal-touts-agriculture-s-role-in-georgia-s/article_031eac0d-db35-5ee8-956a-d9a160442775.html?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=237ca7c7f3-eGaMorning-12_6_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-237ca7c7f3-86731974&mc_cid=237ca7c7f3&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
Staff Reports
JEKYLL ISLAND — Gov. Nathan Deal, speaking at the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention for the eighth consecutive year on Monday, said the agriculture industry has been important in Georgia’s top ranking as a state in which to do business. Since 2013, the governor noted, Site Selection Magazine has named Georgia the No. 1 state for business. “Agribusiness is doing your part in keeping us in that number one designation,” Deal said at the organization’s 80th annual meeting. “Agribusiness contributes over $74.9 billion to Georgia’s economy.” Deal, who is about to enter the final year of his second term of office, said he was appreciative of the role the state Farm Bureau plays in keeping agribusiness a top industry in Georgia. “As a Farm Bureau member, I appreciate the good work that this organization does,” the governor said. “Whenever possible, you give young people the opportunity to explore the rural lifestyle, and this is important.” He also outlined projects the state of Georgia has funded during his administration to strengthen rural Georgia and agriculture. Deal said the state set aside an additional $9 million above what the state usually allocates for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, UGA Agricultural Experiment Stations & Veterinary Medicine Experiment Stations for Fiscal Year 2018, which started July 1.
www.athensceo.com
UGA Outreach Program Helps Farmers Build a Better Business
http://athensceo.com/news/2017/12/uga-outreach-program-helps-farmers-build-better-business/?utm_source=eGaMorning&utm_campaign=237ca7c7f3-eGaMorning-12_6_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_54a77f93dd-237ca7c7f3-86731974&mc_cid=237ca7c7f3&mc_eid=32a9bd3c56
Staff Report From Athens CEO
Over the next five years, Hollingsworth and his wife plan to leave their 4,300-square-foot home in Lawrenceville and move to a manufactured home on a farm in Banks County. They’ll raise goats and calves and the crops needed to feed them. And they’ll have the University of Georgia to provide support and guidance. For the past three years, UGA Cooperative Extension has partnered with the UGA Small Business Development Center, a public service and outreach unit, and other business educators across the state to equip new farmers with the business acumen they need to succeed. The Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program, offered at locations across the state, brings together UGA outreach units and outside groups to provide multifaceted training for beginning and young farmers. The program focuses on developing mentorships for beginning farmers and providing nuts and bolts training in either small ruminant or vegetable production. And, maybe most importantly, the program focuses on financial and business training.
www.tiftongazette.com
ABAC named Military Friendly College
http://savannahnow.com/news/2017-12-05/combined-armstrong-georgia-southern-one-last-step-away-approval
For the third consecutive year, Victory Media has awarded Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recognition as a Military Friendly School, according to a press release.
Higher Education News:
www.diverseeducation.com
Lumina Foundation to Award $2.5 Million in Grants for “Addressing Hate”
http://diverseeducation.com/article/105929/?utm_campaign=DIV1712%20DAILY%20NEWSLETTER%20DEC6&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua
by Tiffany Pennamon
Violence and racial chaos in Charlottesville earlier this year sparked a call to action for one philanthropic foundation dedicated to making post-secondary education accessible to all. Mobilized to back words with action, Jamie Merisotis, president and CEO of the Lumina Foundation, announced Tuesday that the foundation will award $2.5 million in grants for community-building programs and initiatives that address racial justice issues at colleges and universities nationally. Lumina’s grants will go to colleges, universities and philanthropic organizations that will improve the racial climate on campuses and “elevate efforts to teach about race and racism in our nation’s history and contemporary life,” according to the foundation.