University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA probe: Campus visitor drew swastikas on student doors
By Eric Stirgus
University of Georgia administrators said Friday they’ve corroborated information that a visitor to the Athens campus was the person who recently drew swastikas on student doors inside Russell Hall. The university declined to share details about the person suspected to have drawn the swastikas, which are signs of anti-Semitism.“Further information will be available next week upon the conclusion of our investigation,” the university said in a statement.
Csion
Intelligent.com Announces Best Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) 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 55 Best Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Programs for 2020. The comprehensive research guide is based on an assessment of 176 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 176 schools, on a scale of 0 to 100, with only 55 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 of Science in Nursing (MSN) Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): Augusta University; Georgia Southern University; Georgia Southwestern State University
Cision
Intelligent.com Announces Best Master’s in Higher Education Degree Programs for 2020
2020 Master’s in Higher Education Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): Georgia Southern University; Valdosta State University
Benzinga
Intelligent.com Announces Best Doctorate in Education Degree Programs for 2020
2020 Name of Degree ColumnA featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): University of West Georgia
Benzinga
Intelligent.com Announces Best Marketing Degree Programs for 2020
2020 Marketing Degree Programs featured on Intelligent.com (in alphabetical order): Clayton State University; Georgia Southwestern State University; Kennesaw State University; University of West Georgia
THE TIMES-GEORGIAN
Rayfield making the rounds at UWG
By Stephanie Allen
Dr. Stuart Rayfield is preparing to step into her new role as interim president of the University of West Georgia following the resignation of Dr. Micheal Crafton, which is effective Dec. 16.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Gwinnett colleges boast cautious optimism during prosperous times
By Taylor Denman
Gwinnett Technical College President D. Glen Cannon summarized the optimism he and his counterpart at Georgia Gwinnett College share as they see enrollment numbers soar. …Times are good for Gwinnett County’s two largest higher education institutions. Gwinnett Tech’s new programs are flourishing and Georgia Gwinnett College’s enrollment is the highest among the University System of Georgia’s state colleges at 12,831. The steadily increasing enrollment numbers are partially attributed to GGC’s ability to consistently provide affordable tuition that fits budgets of adults returning to school or high school graduates who lack consistent financial support. GGC president Jann Joseph, in her first presentation to state legislators since coming to the college in July, said 75% of GGC’s enrollment is from Gwinnett County.
WGXA
Gordon State College receives $1,000 donation for on-campus food pantry
by WGXA staff
Gordon State College received a $1,000 donation recently for its on-campus food pantry. The donation comes from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation for Gordon State’s Harry’s House pantry.
WALB
Georgia Southwestern continues to honor fallen officers 3 years later
By Darran Todd | December 8, 2019 at 12:59 PM EST – Updated December 8 at 1:00 PM
The Americus community gathered to remember two officers who were killed in the line of duty. “Today, on December 7th, we stop to remember the sacrifice and to remember the young men that served this community,” Georgia Southwestern University (GSW) President, Neal Weaver said. Dozens gathered at GSW to show their love and appreciation for fallen officers, Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith. They both were killed in 2016, responding to a domestic dispute.
Moultrie Observer
Moultrie native receives art mentorship in Americus
Staff Reports
The Huss Foundation recently announced Amber Moore as the 2020 recipient of its kickstART program. kickstART seeks to identify and aid local creative people who wish to build a business or otherwise sustain themselves with their artwork, products or performance, according to a press release from the Huss Foundation. Each year one local artist, creator or maker is chosen to receive an award of $1,000, mentorship by the Foundation’s Director of the Arts, Sunni Zemblowski, and curatorship of the Huss Foundation’s Artists’ Gallery. For the next year Moore will have the full support of the foundation’s resources in order to grow as an artist and learn crucial skills to continue her work into a career that gives back to the community, the press release said. Moore is in her senior year at Georgia Southwestern State University as a fine arts major and is currently vice president of the Artists United GSW chapter. She is originally from Moultrie and has remained involved in her local community there during summer breaks from GSW.
Washington Examiner
by Salena Zito
Tyler Merritt has taken the saying “It takes a village to raise a child” and turned it a bit sideways. He’s building a village, literally, to allow adults to raise themselves up. His village is a stabilizing rail, or a stepping stone to a better life. Merritt, a former special operations air mission commander, is trying to help his military brothers and sisters who have found themselves post-military service one paycheck away from financial collapse, as well as those struggling to find their way through modern civilian life, which does not begin and end with a stated purpose in the way military service does. “Our most recent initiative is our veterans village,” said Merritt, whose post-military life makes him an unlikely entrepreneur and philanthropist as the CEO of Nine Line Apparel and president of Nine Line Foundation. …Nine Line has also partnered with Georgia Southern University, which will provide vocational training and career counseling along with a new aquaponics center it is building right here on the sprawling apparel-making property.
Albany Herald
Albany Tech, Gordon State College sign articulation agreement
By Katheryne A. Fields Special to the Herald
Gordon State College and Albany Technical College signed an articulation agreement Friday that will allow for the transfer of credits from Albany Tech’s associate’s degree programs in Business into Gordon’s four-year bachelor degree program in Management and Administration. “We are excited to partner with Albany Technical College to prepare students for the work force,” Gordon President Kirk A. Nooks said. “This articulation agreement shows that students can complete their academic journey locally and maintain their commitment to developing the regional talent base.”
Statesboro Herald
Transformed GS Museum to emerge by spring 2020
Crisis of sagging ceilings provided opportunity
Al Hackle/Staff
When the Georgia Southern University Museum reopens in 2020, its iconic mosasaur will be viewed in new ways in the completely revamped Hall of Natural History and rivaled by treasures on the other side of the lobby rotunda, in the new Hall of Cultural History.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Public Library Service’s unveils new PINES logo
By Pamela Miller
The Georgia Public Library Service’s PINES recently unveiled its new logo, ahead of the initiative’s 20th anniversary in 2020, according to a press release. “PINES offers equity in access to information through its shared collection of 11 million library materials that anyone with a PINES card can have delivered to their library, no matter where they live in Georgia,” said State Librarian Julie Walker. “We are thrilled to share PINES’ new logo, which we feel represents the continuing growth and innovation of this ever-evolving service to Georgia residents.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WarnerMedia names Techwood campus after Ted Turner, adds mural
By Rodney Ho
UGA creating Ted Turner gallery and scholarship
WarnerMedia Friday named the Techwood Turner Broadcasting campus in Midtown after its founder Ted Turner, who showed up and spoke a few words. He lacks his old bluster but came with his signature honesty. “I’m kind of overcome by this whole ceremony,” said Turner, who at 81 years old is suffering from Lewy Body dementia. “Never have I lived through something exactly like this. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Those of you who are with CNN now, carry it on. I’ll be watching! I miss it. I didn’t really leave because I wanted to. But anyway… here I am!”
Athens Banner-Herald
Georgia will need to replace Sam Pittman
By Marc Weiszer
For the second straight year, Georgia has lost another key assistant coach soon after playing in the SEC championship game. Offensive line coach Sam Pittman, who has brought in and developed elite talent at the position from the Bulldogs highly-ranked recruiting classes, was announced Sunday night as head coach at Arkansas.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA study: Virtual reality could boost flu vaccination rates
By Sarah Freeman
Using a virtual reality simulation to show how flu spreads and its impact on others could be a way to encourage more people to get a flu vaccination. That was the conclusion of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia and the Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This is the first published study to look at immersive virtual reality as a communication tool for improving flu vaccination rates among “flu vaccine avoidant” 18- to 49-year-old adults.
Savannah Morning News
Area economy expands during 3Q
By Katie Nussbaum
The regional economy experienced modest growth during the third quarter of 2019 but continues to slow as it has in recent quarters, according to the latest Coastal Empire Economic Monitor. The Monitor is a publication of the Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research under the direction of Michael Toma at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus.
The Citizens
Newton School System Superintendent Samantha Fuhrey named Georgia’s Superintendent of the Year
From staff reports
The third time proved to be the charm for Samantha Fuhrey. On Friday, the Newton County School System superintendent was named Superintendent of the Year for the state after being named a finalist for the award three years running. The honor was announced at the Georgia School Board Association’s annual conference in Atlanta. Fuhrey will now represent Georgia in the National Superintendent of the Year award program. …She earned her bachelor of science degree in secondary English from Marywood University in 1991 and her master’s degree in educational leadership from State University of West Georgia in 2000. She added an education specialist’s degree in educational leadership from Georgia College and State University in 2006.
The LaGrange Daily News
First female president elected to Community Action For Improvement
From Staff Reports
Community Action for Improvement, Inc. (CAFI) held its annual Board of Trustees meeting on Sept. 5 and elected new officers, according to a press release from CAFI. The Board had the pleasure of electing the first-ever female president of the board, Brandolynn Marenco of Carrollton, Georgia. …She is a graduate of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Academy, as well as being recognized for academic excellence the University of West Georgia. …Seated by the new President will be a new Vice President, Dr. Winston Tripp. He heads the Sociology Department at the University of West Georgia. He has been nominated for numerous service awards and received the award for Outstanding Faculty.
Chattanooga Times Free Press
Business Digest: Parkridge names Landon Smith as chief operating officer
by Brandi Dixon, compiler
Parkridge Health System has appointed Landon Smith as chief operating officer, co-ethics and compliance officer and chief staffing officer. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree, Smith earned a Master of Health Services Administration from Armstrong Atlantic State University.