University System News:
WGAU
Board of Regents chair to address UNG grads
By: Tim Bryant
The University of North Georgia says the incoming chairman of the state Board of Regents will be the speaker at next weekend’s commencement exercises: Sachin Shailendra will speak at the December 14 graduation ceremonies at UNG’s campus in Dahlonega. The chair-elect of the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents (BOR) and an expert on logistics, manufacturing and innovation will serve as the speakers at the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) fall commencement ceremonies set for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 14. Regent Sachin Shailendra will speak at the 10 a.m. ceremony. …About 800 graduates are expected to participate in the Dec. 14 ceremonies in the Convocation Center at UNG’s Dahlonega Campus.
Gwinnett Daily Post
GGC Fall 2019 commencement ceremony set for Dec. 12
By Taylor Denman
Georgia Gwinnett College’s fall commencement is set for Dec. 12 at Infinite Energy Arena, the college announced Wednesday. …The class will feature more than 460 students, including senior nursing major Benjamin Coker, who will be the class’ student commencement speaker. Coker’s speech will focus on his pursuit of a career in nursing, which he promised to his late father before he died in 2016 after a struggle with stomach cancer. That promise has driven Coker as he studied at GGC, the school said in a press release.
Cision
Best Probation Officer Programs Announced on Intelligent.com for 2020
Degree holders gain increased earning potential with career opportunities upon graduating from these top ranked institutions.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 29 Master’s in Organizational Psychology Degree Programs for 2020. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 95 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 95 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 29 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university. …2020 MBA in Probation Officer Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): University of West Georgia; Valdosta State University
Cision
Intelligent.com Announces Best Master’s in Sports Medicine Degree Programs for 2020
Degree holders gain increased earning potential with career opportunities upon graduation from these top ranked institutions.
Intelligent.com, a trusted resource for online degree rankings and higher education planning, has announced the Top 17 Master’s in Sports Medicine Degree Programs for 2020. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 132 accredited colleges and universities in the nation. Each program is evaluated based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. The 2020 rankings are calculated through a unique scoring system which includes student engagement, potential return on investment and leading third party evaluations. Intelligent.com analyzed 132 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 17 making it to the final list. The methodology also uses an algorithm which collects and analyzes multiple rankings into one score to easily compare each university. …2020 Master’s in Sports Medicine Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): Georgia Southern University
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By Stephanie Toone
From the outside looking in, it may appear that the staff and students at Georgia Tech would be all work and no play. The university’s new president Angel Cabrera proved that theory wrong in a new video released Wednesday. In his own version of “Carpool Karaoke,” Cabrera and Georgia Tech business student Ben Damus belt out a variety of tunes — from the likes of Enrique Iglesias and Marvin Gaye — while taking a ride through campus.
WALB
Georgia Power helps fund GSW scholarship program
A recent grant award from the Georgia Power Foundation is helping fund Georgia Southwestern State University’s (GSW) Southwestern Promise Scholarship Program that specifically targets high school students in a 56-county area of Southwest Georgia. Students with an 1100 SAT or 22 ACT and a 3.0 GPA will earn a $1,000 “Blue” scholarship each year for four years, and students with a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT and a 3.0 GPA will earn a $2,000 “Gold” scholarship. Don Porter, local manager for Georgia Power, recently presented the check to President Neal Weaver.
Albany Herald
ABAC selects students for Ambassadors program
From Staff Reports
Sixteen students at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College have been selected to participate in one of the most prestigious organizations on campus, the ABAC Ambassadors. …Through a process involving application, letters of recommendation and interviews, college administrators choose students whom they believe to be motivated and who show leadership potential to serve as Ambassadors. The Ambassadors assist the offices of the president, marketing and communications, and admissions by representing and promoting the college at a variety of community and college events. They work to maintain positive relationships between students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community.
Middle Georgia CEO
Simulation Exposes MGA Students to Realities of Poverty
Lee Greenway
At first glance, it looks like a particularly complicated board game, or maybe a tabletop role-playing game – tables covered in play money, pages describing specific scenarios, special tokens representing physical objects and decks of “random occurrence” cards. For the 48 Middle Georgia State University (MGA) students who took seats at these tables, however, the afternoon wasn’t fun and games, but rather an eye-opening look into what it’s like to live below the poverty line. On Thursday, November 14, MGA’s School of Health and Natural Sciences presented the Poverty Simulation, a group exercise in which participants live out a simulation of one month of life for a low-income family. The MGA students who took part, divided in “families” for the duration of the event, were required to manage their funds, provide for their families’ needs, navigate social services, and avoid legal troubles through the course of four 15-minute “weeks” with a budget only a few dollars above what’s considered to be the poverty line in the United States.
Public Now
MCG At Augusta University Family Medicine Residents Present Tar Wars To Laney High School Students
Family Medicine Residents from MCG at Augusta University recently presented the Tar Wars tobacco and vaping prevention program to Laney High School students in Augusta, GA. In addition to learning about the dangers of tobacco and e-cigarettes/vaping use, the students also received information on hookahs and secondhand smoke.
The Brunswick News
College partners with Greer Elementary to provide teaching experience
By Lauren Mcdonald
A textbook can create the learning foundation, but it cannot provide a real-life learning experience. So Carol Geiken, a lecturer of special education in College of Coastal Georgia’s School of Education and Teacher Preparation, partnered this semester with C.B. Greer Elementary School and brought the 26 students in her “Exploring Diverse Populations” class to the elementary school for more than a month so her students could work directly with students and teachers.
Los Angeles Times
More than 400 UCLA medical school students get a free education thanks to major donation
By Sonali Kohli, Staff Writer
Medical school had put Allen Rodriguez in debt before he was even accepted. The testing, applications and interviews alone cost Rodriguez thousands that he’s still paying off on his credit cards. So it was a relief — and a deciding factor — when his 2014 UCLA medical school acceptance came with more good news: a full scholarship, funded by a $100-million gift from billionaire David Geffen. …Most medical school students who gain acceptance have one to three schools to choose from, said Geoffrey Young, senior director of student affairs and programs for AAMC. As a former admissions committee member at three schools, including the Medical College of Georgia, he said, “If we could use scholarship money to entice someone to come to that school, I would. That’s a free market.”
Marietta Daily Journal
By Rosie Manins
A former Kennesaw State University cheerleader who took a knee during the national anthem at a KSU football game has been paid $145,000 in a subsequent out-of-court settlement, documents show. Former KSU cheerleader Tommia Dean filed a lawsuit in 2018 after receiving backlash to her public protest with four other cheerleaders during the national anthem at a KSU football game in September 2017. Dean listed KSU’s then-President Sam Olens as a defendant in the civil suit, alongside Scott Whitlock and Matt Griffin who worked for the KSU athletics department at the time. But her lawsuit was negated when Dean settled with the Georgia Department of Administrative Services for $145,000, the agreement shows.
The Gainesville Times
New greenhouse and observatory underway at UNG Gainesville campus
Kelsey Podo
The University of North Georgia is in the process of bringing a new observatory and greenhouse to its Gainesville campus.
WFXG
Augusta University’s holds annual Christmas tree lighting
By Lex Juarez
Check out Augusta University’s Summerville campus. The school held its annual tree lighting ceremony Monday, Dec. 2. Despite chilly temps, the event brought out hundreds. It featured acapella groups, cookie decorating and ice skating. To top it all off, jolly old Saint Nick even made an appearance with Mrs. Claus. President Brooks Keel said, “We’ve been doing this with the Summerville neighborhood association for almost 20 years, and so it’s a great opportunity for the community to get together with Augusta University and celebrate the holidays.”
WJBF
WLJ Angel Gowns makes special cot donation to CHOG
by: Jennie Montgomery
A donation to help deal with the loss of a baby. WLJ Angel Gowns donated a Cuddle Cot to the Children’s Hospital of Georgia Friday, November 22nd. It’s a device that helps preserve a stillborn baby’s body in a bassinet or crib. Each year, 24,000 babies are stillborn in the United States and the new cot is all about giving those families time to grieve.
Coastal Courier
Coalition kicks off third annual Sock Drive
The Liberty Regional Homeless Coalition, has kicked of its 2019 Socks For The Homeless Drive, with the distribution of its Christmas Stocking Boxes. Of all the items provided to the homeless, socks are most needed, and yet the least donated. In response to the need of the more than 500 homeless student who receive support from our regional school systems, Head Start Programs and community based services as well the adult homeless population, we are asking the community to assist in providing New Socks and Underwear in all sizes. …2019 Sock Drive Drop Off Locations …Georgia Southern University, Liberty Campus, Memorial Dr., Hinesville
The Augusta Chronicle
New drug gives hope to cystic fibrosis patients
By Tom Corwin
Destiny Kicklighter dreams of things that other people might take for granted: being able to physically go to school, getting a part-time job, avoiding frequent hospitalizations from complications of her cystic fibrosis. “Just start living more than I am able to” now, said Kicklighter, 21, of Martinez. A newly-approved drug is offering her that hope. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved Trikafta, a breakthrough combination of three drugs that helps improve lung function in cystic fibrosis patients. Due to specific defects in a particular gene, the cells in those patients have trouble moving chloride and as a result will have thick, sticky mucus start accumulating in their organs, according to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. …While there were already two drugs approved, they were only for about five percent of patients who had very specific gene mutations, said Dr. Caralee Forseen at AU Health System, Destiny’s pulmonologist. Trikafta should cover about 90 percent of cystic fibrosis, including Destiny, she said.
The Augusta Chronicle
HIV program at Augusta University deals with obstacles
By Tom Corwin
To mark World AIDS Day, the Ryan White program at Augusta University was offering free rapid HIV testing. Advocates say dating apps make it easy to hook up but more difficult for those concerned with stopping the spread of HIV from reaching those who might need testing and treatment the most. Preston Slayton was first attracted Monday by the free food in the lobby of Oak Hall dormitory at Augusta University, so he agreed to a rapid HIV test. But he thinks everyone should do it.
The Brunswick News
Green Living series to promote conservation through individual action
By Lauren Mcdonald
The University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant office in Brunswick plans to offer a new “Green Living” series of programs this winter that will educate local residents on how to save money and better preserve natural resources. The first event will take place tonight. UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will host a free film screening of “The Human Element,” a documentary in which environmental photographer James Balog captures the lives of everyday Americans on the front lines of climate change.
accessWDUN
GDOT and Georgia State University to survey commuters on impact of I-85 express lanes
By B.J. Williams Assistant News Director
Starting Monday, Dec. 9, the Georgia Department of Transportation and Georgia State University will be conducting a traffic impact study of North Georgia residents who may be impacted by the new I-85 express lanes. “During the development of the I-85 express lane extension, Georgia DOT committed for three years to do user surveys along the corridor,” said Georgia DOT spokeswoman Katie Strickland. “We’ve partnered with Georgia State University to conduct this multi-year study.”