University System News:
Atlanta Daily World
Georgia’s Colleges and Universities Have a $16.8 Billion Economic Impact
By ADW Staff
In 2017, the University System of Georgia had a $16.8 billion economic impact on the state of Georgia, according to an annual report available here. The report also found that the system created 163,754 jobs last year, and 2.2 of those jobs were created for every one University System job in an institution’s home town. “As we strive to graduate more students, keep college affordable and increase the efficiency in delivering education, it’s important to keep in mind that higher education is an investment, and from these numbers it’s a smart one,” Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “Communities across our state and the state as a whole are benefiting from the economic engine that is the USG and its 26 institutions.”
Savannah Morning News
Report: Savannah-area universities Contribute $12 billion to Economy
By Katie Nussbaum
The University System of Georgia contributed more than $16 billion in economic impact across the state of Georgia in FY 2017, according to the annual economic impact report released by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia this week. The system’s 26 institutions brought in $16.8 billion in FY17, which was flat compared to FY16. The total number of jobs, however, increased by 5,787 in FY17 to 163,754 compared to 157,967 in FY16. The report also found that for each on-campus job 2.2 off-campus jobs are created due to spending related to the college or university. …Savannah State University’s total output impact, which is the overall economic impact generated, was $186,994,615, a decrease of about $5,484,567 compared to 2016. Savannah State accounted for 2,056 jobs – 605 on-campus and 1,451 off-campus with a labor income impact of $84,900,528. Total initial spending, which is a combination of the spending by the institution for personnel services, spending for operating expenses, and spending by that institution’s students at SSU was $147,511,979 with $42,367,922 spent on personal services; $38,106,861 spent on operating expenses and $67,037,196 from student spending. …Georgia Southern University’s total output impact was $1,020,969,709, up from $719,699, 581 in 2016. The study area for GSU included Bulloch, Screven, Candler, Emanuel, Evans, Tattnall, Jenkins, Chatham, Effingham, Bryan, and Liberty counties.
Marietta Daily Journal
UGA ranks No. 1 in U.S. for new products to market
University again among top U.S. institutions for technology licensing
MDJ Staff
Building on its continued growth in research and innovation, the University of Georgia ranked first among 193 U.S. institutions for the number of commercial products reaching the market in 2017, according to a survey released by AUTM, a nonprofit organization that tracks technology transfer among universities, colleges and other research institutions. In 2017, 52 new products based on UGA research reached the market, outpacing the second-place institution – the University of Michigan, which had 37. UGA also ranked fourth among universities for the number of new intellectual property licenses to industry, its 11th consecutive year in the top 10. …In 2018, UGA’s new products to market included a poultry vaccine; eco-friendly charcoal lighter; soil remediation products; research and educational tools; and new peanut, pecan, soybean, wheat, citrus and ornamental plant varieties, said Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway, UGA’s research commercialization office. …To date, more than 175 startup companies have been created out of UGA research, resulting in more than 1,300 jobs and an estimated annual economic impact of more than $128 million.
Convience Store Decisions
Parker’s Donates to Help Fight Breast Cancer
By CSD Staff
Parker’s Convenience Stores is doing its part to help fight breast cancer. Parker’s recently donated $5,000 to Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia, helping the nonprofit organization offer breast cancer screenings, support services and ongoing education to area residents. Every year, Parker’s donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of pink Breast Cancer refillable cups to Susan G. Komen Coastal Georgia. …In November 2018, Parker’s CEO Greg Parker donated $5 million to name the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University. This award-winning convenience store industry leader considers giving back and “paying it forward” to be part of the overall corporate mission of Parker’s.
LISTEN: UNG President discusses new university-published children’s book series
By Bill & Joel
Bonita Jacobs, President of the University of North Georgia, joins the show to discuss her entry in a new university-published children’s book series, which will feature each of the school’s five campuses.
Albany Herald
ABAC scholarship fundraiser planned Feb. 23
Big City Rhythm to perform at annual fundraiser
From Staff Reports
TIFTON — When Big City Rhythm takes the stage at the annual scholarship fundraising event called An Evening for ABAC on Feb. 23, students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will benefit in ways they never thought possible. The patrons at the annual ABAC Foundation-sponsored event will enjoy a cocktail reception, silent and live auctions, a fabulous dinner, and exciting entertainment from Big City Rhythm, a “family” of talented musicians with diverse entertainment experiences guaranteed to bring guests to their feet for a high-energy, dynamic dance party. As the music winds down at the Tifton Campus Conference Center on that Saturday night, the student scholarship fund will grow so that freshmen can be a part of the ABAC experience when they enroll for the 2019 fall semester. …“An Evening for ABAC provides more than $100,000 each year in scholarship support for students across South Georgia,” Martin said. “We are very thankful to our sponsors and supporters for investing in our students. We often hear from our scholarship recipients that college would not be possible without this support. An investment in ABAC is an investment in South Georgia’s future.”
Tifton Gazette
ABAC’s fundraiser receives 2018Award for Excellence in Educational Fundraising
TIFTON — Dr. Deidre Mercer Martin from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College received the Georgia Education Advancement Council (GEAC) 2018 Award for Excellence in Educational Fundraising at the recent GEAC annual conference in Savannah. “Giving to the ABAC Foundation has increased 196 per cent since her arrival,” Paul Williams, vice president of external affairs and advancement at ABAC, said when he presented the award to Martin. “Campus participation in our annual ‘Give Back to ABAC’ campaign has increased 568 per cent. She is just phenomenal.” Martin, ABAC’s chief development officer, joined the ABAC advancement office in 2015 after retiring as the vice chancellor for university advancement at the University of South Carolina Aiken. She moved to the family farm in Omega, just a few miles from the ABAC campus in Tifton. “When Dr. Martin decided complete retirement might not be her cup of team, we had a need at ABAC that fit her like a hand in a glove,” Williams said. …“In addition to her contribution to the culture of the Office of College Advancement and the recognition of what we contribute to the campus internally, Dr. Martin’s leadership has resulted in the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) awarding our office a 2018 Educational Fundraising Award for Overall Fundraising Performance for the first time in ABAC history,” Williams said. Founded in 1972, GEAC is a statewide organization for those at public and private colleges and universities who work in educational advancement including the areas of alumni, development, publications, and communications.
The Torch
Freshman Students Consider Early Transfer from Roosevelt
BY RUTORCHNEWS
Andrea Lee , Staff Reporter
Before their first year is even halfway over, freshman students are second-guessing their decision to come to Roosevelt. Although the reasons freshman want to leave are specific faults related to Roosevelt it is not uncommon for freshman to want to transfer. A study done by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center shows that 37.2 percent of college students transfer at least once within six years; the percentage of freshman transferring from RU is drastically higher. According to CollegeBoard, only 57 percent of freshman return for sophomore year. …Freshman hospitality major Yaasmeen Kidd said she is currently enjoying her time here at Roosevelt but she still wants to transfer. “I knew I wanted to transfer about half way through the first semester of my first year. RU is a great school, I’m just not happy living in the city”, Kidd said. “I am planning on going somewhere else for my second year, most likely Georgia Southern University or Savannah State University.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Prominent politics professor celebrates 50 years at UGA
By Eric Stirgus
When Charles Bullock began teaching political science at the University of Georgia in 1968, America was in the midst of a fractious national campaign that had some wondering if the country would be permanently divided. Sound familiar? Bullock has seen startling changes in Georgia and national politics since he started teaching there at the age of 26 and can offer calming perspective on the political “crisis” of the day. Bullock’s telephone number is on speed dial for many reporters seeking his insight on politics. His students have ranged from former state Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield, a Democrat, to Paul Bennecke, executive director of the Republican Governors Association. The university celebrated Bullock’s 50th anniversary teaching on Friday in Atlanta. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution interviewed Bullock about his 50 years at UGA. Here are some excerpts:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three student deaths devastate the Georgia Tech community
By Maureen Downey
Georgia Tech is reeling from the suicides of two students in the last week and the accidental death of another. In the wake of this news, I have been hearing from students concerned Tech has not provided sufficient mental health services even after the tragic shooting death of student Scout Schultz on Sept. 16 of last year. After calling 911 to report a suspicious person on campus possibly armed with a gun and giving what amounted to a self- description, Schultz had a confrontation with campus police in which the well-liked student leader disregarded commands to drop what officers thought to be a weapon. (The weapon turned out to be multipurpose tool.) In a video capturing the incident, Schultz can be heard responding, “Shoot me!” Schultz ignored officers’ commands to stand in place, moving slowly toward the four officers who responded to the call. And that was when an officer fired with a deadly outcome. In guest blog here a few days after the shooting, Tech student Duo-Wei Yang wrote: …Now, with two suicides in eight days, Tech students remain concerned about the availability and depth of mental health services. As a second-year Tech student wrote today to me:
TiftonCEO
Dr. Mark Kistler on Being New to Tifton & ABAC
Dr. Mark Kistler, Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources at ABAC, talks to us about how the communities of Tifton and ABAC have embraced him in his new role at the college.
11alive
DFCS workers being equipped with panic buttons
They were developed by engineers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Gwinnett Daily Post
GGC men’s soccer coaching staff earns honors
From Staff Reports
LAWRENCEVILLE — After another successful season, the Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer coaching staff has been recognized as the east region’s Staff of the Year for NAIA institutions by the United Soccer Coaches College Services program. This honor came from a vote among USCCS-member coaches throughout the region and now makes the GGC staff eligible for the National Staff of the Year, which will be announced Dec. 14.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Parkview, UGA alum Matt Stinchcomb inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
From Staff Reports
NEW YORK — Former Parkview and Georgia Bulldog standout Matt Stinchcomb, as well as former Georgia Tech star Calvin Johnson, were among those inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday night at the New York Hilton Midtown’s Grand Ballroom during the 61st National Football Foundation (NFF) Annual Awards Dinner. … Stinchcomb may be the most honored offensive football student-athlete ever to wear the red and black, achieving the ultimate in balance between academics, athletics, and community service. He is a former recipient of the NFF Draddy Award (currently named the Campbell Trophy) which is often referred to as the “Academic Heisman.” Named in honor of William V. Campbell, the former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia, the trophy has become the most prestigious and desirable “academic” award in college football. The trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his academic success, football performance and exemplary community leadership.
Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia Tech hosts NFL safety and performance innovation contest before Super Bowl
By Jessica Saunders – Managing Editor, Atlanta Business Chronicle
Georgia Tech will host the National Football League’s annual Super Bowl competition to spur innovation in athlete safety and performance. One category of competition at the Feb. 2 “1st and Future” event sponsored by the NFL and Arrow Electronics seeks public suggestions for rule changes to reduce player injuries. In the other category, contestants will submit innovative product concepts that could improve player health and safety. Feb. 2 is the day before Super Bowl LIII is played in Atlanta.
The News Tribune
NFL looking for rules, product ideas to keep players safer
The Associated Press
The NFL is looking for suggestions to improve both rules to keep players safer on punts and products to keep them healthier in the league’s latest 1st And Future competition. The league announced Tuesday the two categories for the competition to be held at Georgia Tech on Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl. For the “NFL Punt Analytics Competition”, applicants will have access to league data to suggest rule changes to better protect players on punt plays with a prize of $20,000 for up to four of the best entries. The winners will present their ideas in Atlanta with Super Bowl tickets as the grand prize … The “Innovations to Advance Athlete Health and Safety Competition” category wants product ideas to keep players healthier and safer managed by Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center.
Savannah CEO
Tim Brown, Director of the Supply Chain & Logistics Institute at Georgia Tech’s Savannah Campus, talks to us about the MOU between Georgia Tech, the Georgia Ports Authority, and Georgia Centers of Innovation and Logistics and how it will benefit each party and the state. (video)
Higher Education News:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Moody’s Downgrades Higher Ed’s Outlook From ‘Stable’ to ‘Negative’
By Adam Harris
The prospects for higher education are bleak, according to Moody’s Investors Service, a credit-rating agency that on Tuesday changed its outlook for the sector from “stable” to “negative.” In a report, the agency cited financial strains at both public and private four-year institutions, mainly muted growth in tuition revenue. But it also cited “uncertainty at the federal level over potential policy changes.” “The higher-education sector is highly exposed to changes in federal policy or funding,” the report said. “Changes to financial-aid programs and tax reform could negatively affect enrollment and tuition-revenue growth, philanthropic support, and the cost of borrowing.”
The Washington post
Janet Napolitano: Don’t let the Trump administration undermine Title IX
(Janet Napolitano, secretary of homeland security from 2009 to 2013, is president of the University of California.) The Education Department, in issuing its proposed Title IX regulations, appears to believe our nation’s colleges and universities have gone too far in responding to allegations of sexual harassment and sexual violence. The department is mistaken. Twenty-seven years ago, I was part of the legal team that supported Anita Hill as she testified before members of a Senate panel, most of whom had never grappled with the concept of sexual harassment before. Today, we understand better how sexual harassment can devastate the educations, careers and lives of those subjected to it.
Science Magazine
Trump emphasizes workforce training in new vision for STEM education
By Jeffrey Mervis
The U.S. government needs to partner with industry and community organizations to train more Americans for jobs in an increasingly high-tech work environment. That’s the key message in a new 5-year strategic plan for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education released today by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. The plan, which looks across the federal government’s entire $3 billion investment in STEM education by more than a dozen agencies, emphasizes the importance of computational literacy and the value of blending the arts, social science, and other fields in “authentic” STEM learning experiences. The 45-page report also commits federal agencies to be more transparent in tallying participation in STEM programs by minorities and women, which it acknowledges “face barriers to success.”