University System News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
20 years later: Reflecting on 9/11 through three different lenses
What that day in 2001 meant to a Port Authority employee, a new reporter and an Iranian American schoolgirl
Sept. 11, 2001, is one of those days in history when people remember where they were as the horrific events of the day unfolded. These are accounts from three such people: One is a Port Authority worker (now a University of Georgia official) who was lucky enough to escape One World Trade Center shortly before its collapse but still mourns the loss of colleagues and others who weren’t so fortunate. …More than anything, Greg Trevor wants us to know that no one can do anything truly alone. We succeed when we look out for and care for one another. That’s the message he hopes the youngsters on UGA’s campus take from the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks this year. Trevor, the University of Georgia’s associate vice president for marketing and communications, is a 9/11 survivor and frequently shares his story with UGA students and other groups around the country.
Ledger-Enquirer
20 years later, Columbus elementary school families reunite for 9/11 flag project memories
By Mark Rice
Michele Hughes choked back tears as she gazed up at the giant handmade American flag that she brought to fruition two decades ago. “There are so many emotions,” she told the Ledger-Enquirer. “I remember each square.” During the autumn of 2001, her last name was Boyd. She and six other women sewed together those squares — actually, 678 14-by-12-inch cloth rectangles decorated by Blanchard Elementary School students and staff — to create a 39-by-24-foot flag weighing 83 pounds and uplifting countless souls. …Twenty years later, about two dozen project participants gathered in the Lumpkin Center at Columbus State University, the flag’s home since its travels because it’s too big to fit in Blanchard’s gym. And they had a bittersweet reunion as the momentous 9/11 anniversary approached. Hughes was heartened by the turnout.
NewsBreak
Augusta-area events to mark 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks on America
Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Here are some of the events being organized in the Augusta-area to help observe this moment in American history:. The City of Augusta and Augusta University are holding a joint memorial ceremony and charitable 5K Walk/Run Saturday morning.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How 9/11 put Georgia nurse on her career path
By Nancy Clanton
‘I wanted to save others from hurt and suffering,’ Moultrie native says
When Jennifer Dowdy was in high school, she planned for a future in business administration. “Both my parents were in business so I always grew up around it,” she told the Moultrie Observer. That was how she felt Sept. 10, 2001. The next day, Dowdy and her classmates watched on television as the twin towers fell in New York City. “I watched in despair as thousands lost their lives in the attacks,” she told the newspaper. That week changed the Moultrie native. … That’s when she decided her career was not going to be in business. … She graduated from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2006 with an associate’s degree in nursing, and later earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University. “It’s been a humbling experience,” she told the newspaper. “The gratitude I get from my patients and their families, it’s made such a difference in not only their lives but mine. Despite the stress, the overtime, overnights, I don’t have a single regret. I wouldn’t change a thing.” Now a family nurse practitioner in Brunswick, Dowdy told the Observer she hopes the work she’s done has shown the victims of the terrorist attacks didn’t die in vain.
Columbus CEO
CSU to Remember Anniversary of 9/11 Attacks with Public Lecture, Upcoming Forum with Ft. Benning
Staff Report
As the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks approaches, Columbus State University’s Dr. Ryan Lynch will host a public lecture, titled “The Legacy of 9/11 and the Future of the War on Terror.” The lecture will be offered in both in-person and virtual formats. “The 20th anniversary of 9/11 has special meaning for those of us who lived through it, and for those of us in the Columbus community specifically. Our community has sent so many soldiers to participate and sacrifice in the ‘War on Terror’ over the last two decades, including many current active duty service members, veterans, and their families as part of our Columbus State family,” Lynch said. “But 20 years have passed, which means in the 9/11 history class I’m teaching this semester, I have many students who weren’t alive when the attacks happened, or weren’t old enough to remember the experience itself. For them, 9/11 is a historical moment. …The class I’m teaching and the events I have organized to commemorate the anniversary are really working to engage both audiences, and to think about how the past can be weaponized in the creation of new terrorist ideologies in the future.” … Also on the CSU Main Campus is The Blanchard Flag. The 24′ x 39′ flag was crafted from individual squares decorated by students at Blanchard Elementary School in Columbus in response to the 9/11 attacks.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia university system leader defends COVID prevention methods
By Eric Stirgus
More faculty groups push for measures that would allow mask mandates
The head of Georgia’s university system gave her most vigorous public defense Thursday morning of the system’s coronavirus prevention efforts, and warned of disciplinary action against anyone not following the system’s guidelines. Acting University System of Georgia Chancellor Teresa MacCartney made the comments during a state Board of Regents meeting, despite new demands Thursday afternoon by faculty groups to enact a mask mandate and rising numbers of new positive COVID-19 cases at its largest universities. The University of Georgia, for example, on Wednesday reported 505 new positive cases during a recent seven-day stretch. The University System recommends, but doesn’t require, everyone wear masks in its campus buildings. It also recommends, but does not require COVID-19 vaccines for students and employees.
Georgia Recorder
Georgia public university leader reaffirms statewide ban on campus mask mandates
By Ross Williams
At two Atlanta meetings Thursday morning, two groups of education leaders outlined opposing visions for the COVID-19 safety measures students and employees should be subject to at Georgia’s colleges and universities. Georgia Board of Regents acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney said the focus should be on encouraging, but not requiring, as many students as possible to wear masks and become vaccinated so face-to-face learning can continue at the University System of Georgia’s 26 schools. “Everything we do has an impact on the students,” she said. “They are our number one focus, which makes how we respond to their needs and expectations for this year all the more important. And what about our students? An overwhelming majority of them work hard and make safe choices. As a parent, I understand not every single person will do the right thing. But many of them do because they understand the impact online learning had on their last year and the challenges they face staying on track to attain their degree.”
Marietta Daily Journal
University System of Georgia keeping COVID-19 vaccinations, masks voluntary
By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service
The University System of Georgia is doing everything it can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 short of imposing a mask mandate, the system’s acting chancellor said Thursday. The system’s policy encouraging but not requiring students, professors and other employees to get vaccinated and wear masks is in keeping with Gov. Brian Kemp’s position that mandates are divisive, and people should be given a choice.
Patch
University Of Georgia: Vaccine Incentives Driving Increased Participation At UGA
Registration for $1,000 incentive program is underway
Participation in the University Health Center’s COVID-19 vaccination program has more than doubled in recent weeks, spurred in part by the additional incentives recently announced for University of Georgia students, faculty and staff. Over the last six weeks, nearly 1,500 individuals have been vaccinated at the University Health Center and walk-up clinics at the Tate Student Center offered in partnership with the local office of the Georgia Department of Public Health. About two-thirds of those appointments have been booked since UGA announced new incentives, including the opportunity to win a cash prize of $1,000.
41NBC
Researchers at UGA discover potential medication to battle COVID-19
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a drug that could possibly be used to battle Covid-19.
Lizbeth Gutierrez
Researchers at the University of Georgia have discovered a drug that could possibly be used to battle Covid-19. The drug is Probonecid. Probonecid is a drug used to primarily treat gout. This could also be the first oral medication to safely treat patients with mild Covid symptoms. Researchers also say it could possibly be taken if you have been in contact with someone who has the virus.
Columbus CEO
‘5 Under 40,’ ‘Rising Stars’ include Seven from CSU
“Columbus and the Valley” magazine recently honored Columbus residents in their 5 Under 40 and Rising Stars lists. Among the lists were several CSU alumni and faculty. Of the 5 Under 40 honorees, three have CSU ties.
WGAU Radio
Underway this afternoon
By Tim Bryant
Today is the annual Dawg Day of Service: University of Georgia student volunteers will fan out across the campus and around Athens starting at 2:30 this afternoon, working on a variety of community service projects.
From the UGA master calendar…
Dawg Day of Service is UGA’s largest annual day of community service, providing a great opportunity to work with other students to make a positive impact in the community.
The Fence Post
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding nearly $800,000 to Tuskegee University and the University of Georgia to help improve veterinary education and research across Africa through the Faculty Exchange Program, administered by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. “Both Tuskegee and the University of Georgia are first-time program participants, reflecting USDA’s commitment to expand the reach of its programs and also promote equity and inclusion,” said FAS Administrator Daniel Whitley. “Tuskegee in particular exemplifies these efforts being the first of our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities to receive funding through the Faculty Exchange Program, something we hope will inspire other HBCUs and minority-serving institutions to learn about and apply for our programs.” FAS will provide $400,000 to Tuskegee and $395,605 to the University of Georgia to host fellowships for visiting agricultural and veterinary educators from Africa.
Marietta Daily Journal
Kennesaw State professor awarded NSF grant to research promising network technology
Kennesaw State University computer science professor Tu Nguyen has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to address the massive service demand placed on cellular networks. The $174,971 NSF Computer and Information Science and Engineering Research Initiation Initiative award, also known as a “mini-CAREER” award, is a highly competitive grant specifically for early-career faculty members. Nguyen’s accepted proposal is titled: “Towards Robust RAN Slicing: Theories, Algorithms and Applications.” With the rapid growth of new services and internet applications, Radio Access Network slicing has become one of the most promising architectural technologies for the forthcoming 5G era.
Athens CEO
UGA IPM Program Ranked Outstanding, Receives Maximum Funding
Emily Cabrera
A multidisciplinary team of University of Georgia researchers has received $765,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Crop Protection and Pest Management Program to support the continuation of integrated pest management (IPM) programming throughout the state over the next three years. Ash Sial, blueberry entomologist and coordinator of the UGA IPM program, serves as the primary investigator on the IPM grant and said this achievement has been his goal since he assumed the IPM coordinator role in 2013.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Colleges expand food pantries to help students in need
By Sofia Gratas
New and expanded free pantries welcomed students back for face-to-face instruction, with some Georgia universities and colleges devoting more resources to address food insecurity.
Marietta Daily Journal
Local University of North Georgia student aims to represent U.S.
Staff reports
Five University of North Georgia students and a recent alumnus are among the final 60 people competing for a spot on the first United States Cyber Team, which will take part in the International Cybersecurity Challenge from Dec. 7-12, in Athens, Greece. Students Jake Elder, Houstoun Hall, Taylor Hitt, Benjamin Huckaba of Marietta and Smit Patel and alumnus Kyung Michael Park wrapped up the eight-week U.S. Cyber Combine on Sept. 3. The combine provided a team atmosphere for growth, overseen by coaches who along with an advisory board will announce the 20-person U.S. Cyber Team in an Oct. 5 draft.
WGAU Radio
UGA’s first black graduate pens autobiography
Virtual book discussion later this month
By Tim Bryant
Mary Frances Early has written her autobiography: The Quiet Trailblazer details her experiences as the first black graduate of the University of Georgia. UGA women’s basketball coach Joni Taylor will take part in a virtual launch of the new book later this month. Early, who graduated from the University in 1962, now has her name on UGA’s College of Education building.
WALB
Public safety departments partner with VSU students to enhance social media presence
By Jennifer Morejon
Social media is one of the top sources of information and news for many, especially millenials and Gen-Z. The City of Valdosta is partnering with Valdosta State University for some social media advice. They’re looking to enhance their public safety social media accounts, and find more effective ways to reach people. VSU students are getting hands-on experience this semester. The social media class is working with Valdosta fire and police departments to create a social media strategy plan.
Albany Herald
Georgia Tech signs basketball coach Josh Pastner to three-year extension
From Staff Reports
Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner has signed a three-year contract extension, the school announced Thursday. Combined with the two years remaining on his current agreement, Pastner’s contract to serve as the Yellow Jackets’ head coach now runs through the 2025-26 season.
Albany Herald
Georgia to honor former coach Mark Richt at November home game
From Staff Reports
Former University of Georgia head football coach Mark Richt will be honored at halftime of the Bulldogs’ football game against Missouri on Nov. 6, athletic director Josh Brooks announced Thursday. Richt’s 145-51 overall record in 15 seasons at UGA ranks him 10th on the all-time winningest SEC coach list. The Bulldogs had an 85-40 SEC record during his tenure and made five appearances in SEC Championship games, winning twice in 2002 and 2005. Richt, a two-time SEC Coach of the Year honoree, led Georgia to nine bowl game wins, with two Sugar Bowl victories in 2002 and 2007.
Capitol Beat
Campus protests to demand mask mandate
by Dave Williams
University System of Georgia (USG) students, faculty and staff plan to launch daily protests of the system’s lack of a mask mandate at campuses across the state starting Monday. The plan was announced in an email to Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney this week. Matthew Boedy, president of the Georgia Conference of the American Association of University Professors, complained that without a mask mandate to discourage the spread of COVID-19, many students, professors and staff are not following the system policy encouraging mask wearing. …Protests have been scheduled on university system campuses in Atlanta, Albany, Augusta, Athens, Savannah, Columbus and other locations. Demonstrators will gather at different times each day. …MacCartney defended the university system’s stand against mask mandates on Thursday during a meeting of the Board of Regents. She said the system’s colleges and universities spent months preparing to hold classes safely, including distributing masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and COVID-19 tests.
See also:
Athens Banner-Herald
Daily protests in demand of Georgia university mask mandates to begin Monday
Jackson Herald Today
Campus protests to demand mask mandate
GPB
COVID-19 Policy Protests Continue at Georgia State University
The Red & Black
Mental health and sports: A changing landscape
Thomas Bresee
In 2020, the rates of mental health concerns in student-athletes were 150-200% higher than historically reported, according to an NCAA survey. The pandemic, and all of the mental health consequences it has had — such as increased rates of loneliness, depression and anxiety — has hit student-athletes hard, and the University of Georgia is no exception.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Historian: From segregation to COVID, Regents served governors, not students
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Appointed body has deferred to Brian Kemp, who opposes a mask mandate
In trying to make sense of the intransigence of the Georgia Board of Regents on COVID precautions, University of Georgia history professor Scott Nelson looks back on the appointed body’s practices and policies. What he finds is discomforting. This is a state entity that has been on the wrong side of history on such defining moments as integration. The Regents and Acting Chancellor Teresa MacCartney — who stood by their irresponsible opposition to a mask mandate today — remain on the wrong side of history and science with their position on COVID-19, writes Nelson. …Since I came to the University of Georgia five years ago, I have been puzzled by how it works. Now that COVID has broken out a second time, I think I understand: This university is a branch of a political machine.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Sept. 9)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,144,884
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 20,453 | This figure does not include additional cases that the DPH reports as suspected COVID-19-related deaths. County is determined by the patient’s residence, when known, not by where they were treated.
AP News
Sweeping new vaccine mandates for 100 million Americans
By ZEKE MILLER
President Joe Biden on Thursday is announcing sweeping new federal vaccine requirements affecting as many as 100 million Americans in an all-out effort to increase COVID-19 vaccinations and curb the surging delta variant that is killing thousands each week and jeopardizing the nation’s economic recovery. The expansive rules mandate that all employers with more than 100 workers require them to be vaccinated or test for the virus weekly, affecting about 80 million Americans. And the roughly 17 million workers at health facilities that receive federal Medicare or Medicaid also will have to be fully vaccinated.
Inside Higher Ed
CDC Report Finds Masks Curb Spread of COVID-19 on Campus
By Susan H. Greenberg
Universal masking and limited close encounters with people infected with COVID-19 reduced the spread of the virus in a university setting, at least during a five-month period before the Delta variant took hold, according to a new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report analyzed data from St. Louis University collected between January and May of 2021, when very few people on campus were fully vaccinated.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
An ‘Extremely Solvable’ Problem
Millions of college students face food insecurity, and while institutions have been doing what they can to help, it’s time for the federal government to step in, advocates say.
By Alexis Gravely
Lawmakers and advocates are urging the federal government to do more to address hunger on college campuses, with some appearing frustrated about the lack of action during a roundtable discussion held by a House committee Wednesday. The roundtable was a part of a series of hearings examining hunger in the United States, convened by Representative James McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, chair of the House Rules Committee. McGovern has been pushing for the White House to convene a national conference on food, nutrition, hunger and health — the first and only conference was held 52 years ago — and said Wednesday that he believes there’s a bigger role for the federal government to play on the issue.
WSJ Opinion
What Higher Ed Can Learn From Hospitals
The pandemic has hit both industries hard, but healthcare has adapted better to market and cost pressures.
By Bobby Jindal
America is emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic with a changed economy. Many companies won’t survive, and others will be permanently altered. America’s universities are also wounded financially, and some may have to defer or eliminate classes in the fall—a potential death knell for the weakest. University presidents must learn from their healthcare counterparts and adapt before it’s too late. Healthcare and higher education were battered in the pandemic. Hospitals were inundated at its height and forced to defer more-profitable elective surgeries and transfer noncritical patients. Meanwhile, more than 4,000 colleges and universities were nearly vacant and few offered classes on campus.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Presidents of AAUP, AFT Applaud Build Back Better Act’s Higher Education Reforms
Rebecca Kelliher
American Association of University Professors (AAUP) President Dr. Irene Mulvey and American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten praise the House Education and Labor Committee’s higher education provisions in the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act. Such provisions so far include increasing Pell Grant funding, making community colleges tuition-free, and offering additional support to historically Black colleges and universities. “The Build Back Better Act represents a historic and long-overdue investment in higher education—as well as a meaningful down payment on the additional changes needed to aid our colleges and universities, and the people who make them run,” said Mulvey.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Twenty Years Later, Remembering and Teaching 9/11 on Campuses
By Rebecca Kelliher, Liann Herder
… Across the Hudson river, Dr. Steven Notley watched the north tower burn on his way to work at Nyack College’s downtown branch. He called his wife on a pay phone, and told her he was alright. She asked him, “What are you talking about?” “Turn on the TV,” he replied. Just before getting onto the train for work, he watched the second plane hit. In Manhattan, Darryl Warner, who taught at the college of dentistry before joining the medical school staff at City College of New York, watched the second impact from his office window. …The impact of the day — the confusion, the terror, the shock, and the grief — reverberated across every aspect of American life. For those who worked in higher education in the city, many of whom had offices and classrooms within walking distance of ground zero, the day they survived has now become a moment of history to their students, a moment that must be taught, ideally with lessons to learn. Twenty years on, the country is still processing the tragedy, the dichotomy between the unification and comradery at ground zero, and the fear and hatred that was projected onto so many people.