Valdosta Today
VSU gift honors VisionFirst Advisors founder’s memory
VisionFirst Advisors, a Tallahassee-based consulting firm focused on community and economic development, has made a gift to the Valdosta State University Foundation to create the Melissa R. Medley Economic Development and Community Engagement Fund. …The Melissa R. Medley Economic Development and Community Engagement Fund will allow VSU students to engage in service-learning projects that provide for the greater benefit of citizens throughout the university’s 41-county service area, with a special focus on Lowndes County.
Albany Herald
UGA to offer new regenerative bioscience major
By Maria M. Lameiras, CAES News
The Georgia Board of Regents approved a new regenerative bioscience undergraduate major in the University of Georgia Department of Animal and Dairy Science (ADS), which will begin enrolling students in fall 2022. A rapidly growing field, regenerative bioscience combines expertise in biology, chemistry, engineering, genetics, human and veterinary medicine, imaging and other fields to “develop new ways to replace, repair, or regenerate human and animal cells, tissues or organs” damaged by injury or disease, including heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
Tifton Gazette
Judge Bill Reinhardt, chief judge of the Superior Court, Tifton Judicial Circuit of Georgia, administered the Attorney’s Oath of Admission to the State Bar of Georgia to Diantha Virginia Ellis. Ellis received her LL.M. (business law) from Emory University School of Law; J.D. from Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law; MBA (economics and accounting) from Valdosta State University; BBA (accounting and management) from Georgia Southwestern State University; and A.S. (business administration) from ABAC, according to a press release. While at Mercer Law, Ellis was honored as a four-time CALI Excellence for the Future Award recipient for her achievements in legal writing and research. …Ellis is an associate professor of business in the Stafford School of Business at ABAC.
WGAU Radio
UNG lays out plans for Black History Month activities
Pearson speaks on Feb 16
By Clark Leonard, UNG
Longtime Atlanta journalist Monica Kaufman Pearson will serve as the Black History Month keynote speaker at the University of North Georgia. Pearson will speak at noon Feb. 16 for the virtual event. Pearson was the first woman and first minority to anchor the daily evening news in Atlanta, where she worked for 37 years at WSB-TV.
The Strad
My experience: Samuel Vargas at the Schwob School of Music
Venezualan violinist Samuel Vargas outlines his experience at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music in Georgia, US
It was the prospect of studying with renowned teacher Sergiu Schwartz that convinced me to enroll at the Schwob School of Music, where I am currently a third-year undergraduate. The school has afforded me opportunities I could not have conceived of in my home country of Venezuela. As a small and quiet city, Columbus allows me to concentrate solely on my studies. I have built a strong relationship with my mentor and, through his contacts, have been exposed to the international competition scene, helping me to grow my solo career. There is no time to lose in a day at Columbus! In the morning I have academic classes such as theory and composition before having ensemble or orchestral rehearsals in the afternoon. In the evening I take other classes such as math, English and science, which are required due to the school being part of the Columbus State University. Such a packed schedule has improved my time management skills, which are indispensable for a career in music.
WGAU Radio
Performance set for Feb 11
By Mark Mobley, UGA Performing Arts Center
Violinist Joshua Bell, “one of classical music’s biggest, most salable stars,” according to the New York Times, returns to Hodgson Concert Hall for a recital on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m. with pianist Peter Dugan. Their program includes sonatas by Beethoven and Ravel, and one of the towering masterworks of the violin literature, the solo Chaconne in D minor by J.S. Bach. In a nearly four-decade career, Bell has excelled not just as a Grammy-winning soloist but also as a conductor. …The classical offerings in the UGA Performing Arts Center’s 25th anniversary season continue with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (March 1), the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with conductor Donald Runnicles and pianist Michelle Cann (March 4), and the genre-busting Austrian comedy group Mnozil Brass (March 29).
Hypepotamus
With New Initiative, Uga Seeks To Lead In Electric Mobility Space
by Maija Ehlinger
33 electric buses have been taking UGA students across campus over the last year as part of an effort to make commuting a “little greener.” Now a university-wide initiative looks to make UGA a top player in the booming statewide e-mobility movement.
Patch
University Of Georgia: Geography Affects Mental Health Care
People in urban areas had better access to care and lower copays than rural areas
Substance abuse, access to mental health care and costs remain a burden for people living in rural areas, even if they have private insurance. These are the findings of a new study published recently in the Journal of Rural Health. The study, led by Zhuo “Adam” Chen at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, examined over 10 years of insurance claims data from 2005 to 2018, detailing how adults with employer-based, private insurance used and paid for mental health care services in urban and rural areas.
Christian Index
Students from Brewton-Parker College help build tiny houses for homeless veterans
By Sydney Fink, Brewton-Parker College
Students from Brewton-Parker College have joined volunteers from South Newport Baptist Church in Townsend to help build tiny homes for homeless veterans. The Golden Isles Village Initiative is a project dedicated to building a community of single-occupant homes for veterans struggling to live self-sufficiently. When the students of Brewton-Parker’s Ministerial Association heard about the project, they jumped at the opportunity to serve. …Since then, partners such as Nine Line Apparel, Black Rifle Co., the Dustin M. Wright Foundation, Georgia Southern University, local churches, and other organizations and companies have stepped up to contribute to the cause.
The Red & Black
UGA students train guide dogs on campus
Caleb Struchtemeyer
Some students found out about the “Dawgs Raising Dogs” program through word of mouth or by seeing the dogs around campus — both were the case for sophomore graphic design major Peighton Senges. … The “Dawgs Raising Dogs” program is affiliated with the Athens Area Guide Dog Foundation, Guide Dog Foundation New York and America’s VetDogs. To become a guide dog trainer, students go through a six-month application process where they are taught commands and positive reinforcement methods before they are given a dog to train. After they receive a dog, students must attend basic training courses with them.
11Alive
Following over a dozen threats to HBCU campuses, HBCU alumnus Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks out
On Tuesday, Spelman College was one of more than a dozen HBCUs that received bomb threats. The threat against Spelman was the second in under a month.
Author: Joe Henke
In the past two days nearly 20 historically Black colleges and universities nationwide have received bomb threats, including three in Georgia. The threats were made as Black History Month begins, leading to questions about the threats and motive behind them. …On Monday, at least a half dozen HBCU campuses received bomb threats. The schools threatened were Albany State University in South Georgia, Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Bowie State University, and Delaware State University. During a press briefing Monday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, “These are certainly disturbing, and the White House is in touch with the interagency partners including federal law enforcement leadership on this.” Then Tuesday more than a dozen HBCU campuses including Spelman and Fort Valley State in Georgia received new bomb threats. …Sen. Raphael Warnock, who graduated from Morehouse University – an HBCU, wrote 11Alive Tuesday.
News Break
Why some people are symptom free, while other are critically ill in COVID-19
By Knowridge
In a new study from Augusta University, researchers found the cause of the tremendous range of responses to infection with the COVID-19 virus—from symptom-free to critically ill. They found in some of the sickest patients a handful of rare structural gene variants involved in body processes, like inflammation, which the virus needs to be successful. In the study, the team used optical genome mapping, to get a thorough, three-dimensional assessment of the genome of 52 severally ill patients with COVID-19.
Albany Herald
UGA assistant professor uses ag tech to increase accessibility, reduce waste
By Jordan Powers CAES News
When Angelos Deltsidis isn’t in the lab or in the field, he can usually be found on the road or trail, putting in miles on a long run through nature. But his runs aren’t simply spent enjoying the greenery — he is also focusing on what the plants produce, how they do it and gathering research ideas. He is finding inspiration. Deltsidis, an assistant professor with the horticulture department in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, researches postharvest physiology — studying the effects of treatments and practices after the harvest of a fruit, vegetable or nut. …Our goal as postharvest scientists is to extend the shelf life, or postharvest life, as much as possible and to reduce the possible disorders that can occur that would reduce the quality of the product.
The City Menus
UWG faculty, staff receive prestigious Regents’ Awards
By Sam Gentry
The University of West Georgia is a leader in academic success, driven by a commitment to producing positive outcomes for students. Recently, faculty and staff at the university were recognized for those efforts by the University System of Georgia (USG) with two Regents’ Teaching Excellence Awards. Considered the system’s highest recognition for teaching and advising, the prestigious awards represent the best values and standards of USG. …Only nine distinctions are awarded statewide each year, with UWG earning two of the nine. Dr. Brendan Kelly, UWG’s president, said he was thrilled to learn of the accolades.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College partners with INFLCR for athlete branding, personal marketing
From staff reports
Georgia Gwinnett College’s Office of Athletics has partnered with content-management leader INFLCR (pronounced influencer) for student-athlete branding and personal marketing opportunities. INFLCR, a Teamworks company, is the leading content and compliance platform for elite athletic programs, educating and preparing staff and athletes for the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) era. This is all powered by best-in-class content delivery through mobile applications.
WTOC
Bryan Co. Sheriff’s Office releases results of community survey
By Flynn Snyder
The Bryan County Sheriff’s Office has released the results of a survey it says will help the office better serve the community. The 30-page report lays out recommendations for the sheriff’s office to better address issues within Bryan County. Along with help from Georgia Southern University’s criminology department, the survey found the public wants the sheriff’s office to continue gathering public input.
WGAU Radio
UGA economists offer forecast for Athens today at the Classic Center
Eight sessions around the state
By Tim Bryant
Dean Benjamin Ayers and economists from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business deliver the economic forecast for Athens and northeast Georgia this afternoon, doing so in a noon-hour session at the Classic Center. The Athens outlook luncheon is one of eight that began in December and will continue through February 8.
Albany Herald
CARLTON FLETCHER: University System, governor shamefully wasted committee’s time
By Carlton Fletcher
“Same as it ever was, same as it ever was …”
— Talking Heads
The University System of Georgia and state of Georgia officials apparently agree with that old Shakespearean admonition about a rose not being sweeter if given a new name. The system and Gov. Brian Kemp patted themselves on the back in June of 2020 when they named a committee to look into the possibility of changing the names of buildings and colleges on University System campuses that honor individuals who supported slavery and segregation. The move, broadly trumpeted by Kemp and the University System as a fitting response to the sometimes violent backlash that erupted following the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer, was supposed to be part of a “healing” process in the state.
Statesboro Herald
COVID cases see big drop in Bulloch
Georgia Southern, public schools also see decline
Jim Healy/staff
Following a trend seen around much of the nation, the number of new cases of COVID-19 in Bulloch County saw a big drop in the past week. The Georgia Department of Public Health said Bulloch County reported 504 new cases of COVID-19 in the past week, which is down from 862 the previous week and from 881 the week of Jan. 11–17. …Georgia Southern University
After 502 new cases were reported across Georgia Southern’s three campuses for the week of Jan. 17–23, like the Bulloch County Schools system, the university also saw a huge drop in cases last week. GS reported 266 cases for the week of Jan. 24–30, with 201 cases on the Statesboro campus.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Map: Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated Feb. 1)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,849,369
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 27,655 | 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.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Connecting With Students by Hearing Their Personal Stories
Faculty, staff and administrative efforts to build trust can help make college students feel understood.
By Melissa Ezarik
For college students whose childhoods included one or more major traumas—living with food insecurity or witnessing violence near home, which in the latest Student Voice survey impacted 20 percent and 15 percent of students, respectively—it’s easy to see higher education as a privileged space that doesn’t care about what they’ve endured in life. But when an invitation to share is built into campus life, students are more likely to feel honored and understood.
Inside Higher Ed
Analysis: ‘Divisive Concepts’ Bills Target Higher Ed in 2022
By Colleen Flaherty
State legislation prohibiting the teaching of so-called divisive concepts is increasingly directed at higher education, not just K-12 schools, according to a new analysis by PEN America. PEN, which tracks what it calls educational “gag order” bills throughout the year, says that just 26 percent of state bills proposed in 2021 explicitly addressed public colleges and universities. Three of the 10 states that passed bills into law addressed higher education. Yet already in 2022, 46 percent of “gag order” bills filed address colleges and universities, according to PEN. As of Jan. 24, there were 38 higher education–focused bills under consideration in 20 states.
Inside Higher Ed
Colleges Cope With IT Staff Flight in Wake of Pandemic
With information technology skills in high demand across industries, many colleges are finding they can’t hold on to talent.
By Suzanne Smalley
Michael Boehm blames COVID for the IT staff attrition he has experienced as chief information officer at Virginia’s Averett University. He has lost four staffers on his 10-person team in recent months, two of whom did not want to comply with the campus’s COVID vaccine mandate. Boehm believes heavy workloads during the pandemic and the fact that many higher-paying corporate information technology jobs now offer the flexibility of working from home—which was once exclusively a perk of working in academia—have contributed to the cascade of staff departures. …Mark McCormack is senior director of analytics and research for Educause, the nonprofit association that seeks to advance higher education with information technology. He said Educause has been tracking higher ed IT staff burnout for some time, and he believes much of the staff attrition—for which he does not yet have firm statistics—is due to the unique pressures IT staff faced when transitioning campuses from in-person classes to fully remote during the pandemic.