University System News:

 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AJC On Campus: Ga board passes budget, CAU alums aid students, ITC 2.0

By Eric Stirgus

Ultimately, colleges and universities need money to operate. This week, money dominated the conversation on Georgia’s college campuses. The state’s Board of Regents on Tuesday approved some belt tightening to the University System of Georgia’s budget at the governor’s request. A Georgia congresswoman joined an effort that would offer more federal funds to students when their school closes. Meanwhile, two graduates of an Atlanta university are using some earnings from their successful businesses to help fund the education of students at their alma mater. Here’s the rundown of these two items and other issues in this week’s AJC On Campus:

University System of Georgia budget cuts

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s demand that state agencies review their budgets and find cuts resulted in some changes approved Tuesday by the state’s Board of Regents.

About next year’s budget

And in the category of it’s never too early, the Board of Regents approved an initial spending plan for the budget year that starts July 1, 2020. The plan increases spending by about $75 million, to slightly above $2.6 billion. Many University System campuses have reported enrollment increases this fall, which often mean more money to operate. Another factor that’s been driving the budget in recent years is employee health care costs, which continue to rise.

Momemtum Year

University System of Georgia officials gave an update Tuesday on “Momentum Year,” an effort that began more than a year ago to better help first-year students. There are 54,000 incoming students this year, slightly more than the seating capacity of SunTrust Park. The system now requires all first-year students to take courses in subjects they may consider majoring in during their studies.

Family files wrongful death lawsuit against Georgia Tech

The family of a Georgia Tech student shot and killed by a campus police officer filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the school and the state’s Board of Regents saying the officer wasn’t properly trained and used excessive force when he encountered the student, Scout Schultz.

Professor Bud Peterson

G.P. “Bud” Peterson recently retired as president of Georgia Tech after 10 years on the job, but he’s sticking around on campus. The state’s Board of Regents approved a plan to have him teach mechanical engineering in the College of Engineering for the next three years.

 

Albany Herald

Recruitment event set on UGA Tifton campus

From staff reports

The University of Georgia Tifton campus and the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are providing high school and college students the opportunity to explore a career in agriculture at the upcoming ShowCAES recruitment event. Katie Murray, admissions counselor at UGA-Tifton and one of the event’s coordinators, said ShowCAES provides all the information potential students need about CAES in one place. Potential students can visit UGA-Tifton and get information about UGA admissions as well as explore CAES majors and programs.

 

Albany Herald

Hunter education course set at ABAC

From staff reports

Take the first step toward becoming a licensed hunter in Georgia by registering for a free Hunter Education course at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Oct. 7-8 from 6 to 10 p.m. in Room 103 of the Yow Forestry Wildlife Building. Vanessa Lane, an associate professor of wildlife ecology and management at ABAC as well as a certified wildlife biologist, said completing the class is a requirement to participate in the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Statewide R3 Initiative to “recruit-retain-reactivate” hunters. The ABAC R3 program is funded by The Georgia Wildlife Federation and led by Parker Gerdes, an ABAC student majoring in natural resources management.

 

The George-Anne

Scavenger hunt, meet and greet with local residents will be featured at Step Into Statesboro event

By Nathan Woodruff

The Georgia Southern University Office of Leadership and Community Engagement will be hosting Step into Statesboro this Saturday, at the Russell Union Ballroom starting at 9 a.m. There will be a 100 student sign-up limit. Step in Statesboro is an annual event that seeks to introduce new and returning students to the Statesboro area, history and residents. Students will be taken to a historic park, and meet up with residents. “Following an introduction and brief overview, participants will break into groups and head to one of Statesboro’s historic parks to meet longtime residents and hear stories about the city’s history,” a press release from the GS Office of Leadership and Community Engagement said.

 

Bryan County News

Grant to help RHMS students excel in STEM program

Mark Swendra

Staff Writer

Students in John Melcher’s STEM program at Richmond Hill Middle School will benefit from a $20,000 grant to help stock a digital fabrication lab with 3D printers and a laser cutter. Approximately 300 students are enrolled in Melcher’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) classes and according to the teacher, they are some of the best and brightest. “Kids who are considered gifted or high achievers are brought into this program,” he said. The students routinely participate in STEM-related competitions and Melcher believes the 3D printers will go a long way in helping them create award-winning projects.

…Melcher is no stranger to applying for grants to enrich the STEM program. He said Georgia Southern University and Rayonier are just two that provided money for his students to create everything from solar-powered greenhouses to beehives.

 

Albany Herald

Sponsor of controversial HBCU legislation to appear Thursday in Albany

By Alan Mauldin

Albany State University supporters will hear on Thursday from the state senator who sponsored legislation that would separate the university and two sister historically black institutions from the University System of Georgia. State Sen. Lester Jackson, D-Savannah, is scheduled to appear at the Save Our HBCU meeting, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at Union Missionary Baptist Church in Albany.

 

Tuscaloosa News

Artist returns from NYC for Columbus’ ‘renaissance’

By Nick Wooten / Ledger-Enquirer

Julianna Wells grew up in the kind of place where deer roamed freely. …Today, Julianna is an artist. Like some of her favorites — Edward Hopper and Van Gogh — she paints scenes she’s familiar with. She paints what she knows. …Wells, 24 from Pine Mountain, graduated from the New York Academy of Art in May and has moved back to Columbus. Her primary mediums are painting and drawing. Her scenes often feature nature and realism. …Wells received Columbus State University’s Funding Future Artists Beyond the Limit Scholarship and completed her undergraduate degree there. As a student, she traveled abroad and took master classes with artists such as Bartlett. Wells studied independently with Bartlett too and says he and his wife, artist Betsy Eby, are among her influences. “His tutelage was very integral to me growing as an artist because he had me drawing and painting from life exclusively, not using photography,” she said of Bartlett. “They’ve both taken me under their wing.” Bartlett called Wells “the real deal.” “She is one of a rare breed amongst artists — one who has the entire package,” he said. ” I believe in Julianna. She is giving, diligent and clear-eyed. Columbus is fortunate that she has chosen … to return home to grace us with her creativity. She is a bright light.”

 

Washington Times

Lt. Gov. Duncan aims to make state East Coast tech capital

By – Associated Press

Georgia’s lieutenant governor is aiming to make the state the “technology capital” of the East Coast. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan outlined his plans at the University of North Georgia’s recent Regional Education and Economic Development Summit, The Times of Gainesville reports .

 

C4ISRNET

Army nominee says people are the key to improving cyber

By: Nathan Strout

Recruiting more cyber professionals is the key to improving the Army’s cyber capabilities, Ryan McCarthy, the White House nominee to become the next service secretary, told senators in a Sept. 12 hearing. While the Army’s cyber capabilities got short shrift in the two hour hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, McCarthy, who is serving as the acting secretary, provided insight into his views on the subject under questioning from Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn. Central to the Army’s efforts to improve its cyber capabilities is convincing skilled people to work with the Army instead of working in the private sector, he explained. … The Army has had some success in convincing cyber experts to stay involved as they transition to the private sector through total force solutions. Additionally, Army Futures Command has built connections with academic institutions to develop capabilities and recruit a workforce. …The Army also has footprints for cyber at Middle Georgia State University

 

WOKV

MARTIAL ARTS ACADEMY FINDS REDEMPTION ON THE MAT

By: The Tifton Gazette

It looks like a dance. Two people stand opposite each other and lock eyes. They rotate around an axis of anticipation. Who will make the first move? It can be the subtle grab of a sleeve or an aggressive lunge. There’s no prediction of what will happen when. It happens and the opponents react. To an outsider, it’s hard to tell what exactly is happening on the mat at Redemption Martial Arts Academy, especially for someone completely unfamiliar with grappling, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, Sumo, and Folk Style wrestling, which are the main martial arts taught at the academy. Owner and coach Joshua Clements said it’s like watching chess without knowing the game, how every piece has its own rules and its own effects (Full Disclosure: Clements is a correspondent for the Gazette). …Clements is the coordinator of Campus Tutoring Services at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, as well as a freelance writer who manages a blog called “The Philosophical Fighter” blending his interest in martial arts and critical thinking. He’s also a father of two and a husband of one. In all of his work, he’s not looking for the next medal or rank or “position of prestige” and he encourages his students to do the same.

 

Douglas Now

SGSC FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

The South Georgia State College Foundation kicked off its new year and welcomed three new members to its Board of Trustees at the August meeting. Mr. Andrew Holt, Mrs. Darlene Paulk and Mr. Oscar Street each will serve a three-year term as part of the Class of 2022. Each are alumni of SGSC and call the Douglas area home. …The South Georgia State College Foundation was created in 1971 by area business and community leaders.  The mission of the South Georgia State College Foundation is to help transform and enhance the lives of our diverse student population by providing educational opportunities, financial support and advocacy for our students.  By generating, processing and allocating gifts for the Douglas Campus, the Foundation supports efforts that enhance the quality of programs by funding scholarships, new academic initiatives, technology, endowments, faculty/staff development, athletic programs and capital projects at SGSC.