Savannah CEO
Georgia Southern now one of Nation’s Top Ten Military Friendly Schools
Georgia Southern University has now earned a 2022-2023 Top Ten Military Friendly® distinction by Viqtory. Georgia Southern ranked at number nine on the Top Ten list. Being named a Military Friendly School is nothing new for Georgia Southern University, having earned a gold-level distinction for the past 10 years. “We are extremely proud to be recognized as being among the 10 most military friendly universities in the country, especially after learning that more than 1,800 schools participated in the survey,” said Georgia Southern University President Kyle Marrero. “With our connections to Fort Stewart, and the fact that about 10% of our student body is military-connected, we have a responsibility to ensure our people and our processes are attuned to the needs of those who are serving selflessly, who are retired or who are related to a veteran or active-duty service member. My thanks to all our faculty and staff who have worked hard to earn this recognition.”
Gwinnett Daily Post
By Ken Scar Special to the Daily Post
If life truly is a circle, Georgia Gwinnett College senior Andrew Reynolds has already made one complete cycle. Now in his last semester as a special education major at GGC, the 23-year-old Reynolds stands out from fellow future educators in the class because he is a product of special education himself. “Special education” refers to a set of federal and state laws and regulations designed to educate millions of children with disabilities and serve as a safety net for those unable to take advantage of the mainstream school curriculum without help. In short, it is a system of support available for students with learning differences. …Reynolds said he came to GGC because its special education program has an excellent reputation. …Reynolds credits his professors at GGC for keeping him on the path to success, particularly in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he said, his educational journey changed dramatically.
Columbus CEO
Congressional Support to Help Expand Columbus State STEM, Robotics Partnerships, Workforce
Federal support announced Thursday by U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff will help Columbus State University expand not just its STEM and robotics programs, but its K-12 partnerships in these disciplines with the Muscogee County School District. Ossoff’s announcement credited bipartisan support in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives to secure $635,000 to help expand existing partnerships between Columbus State, its Coca-Cola Space Science Center, and MCSD. Specifically, the new funding will empower Columbus State to train more teachers and expand the scope of the Coca-Cola Space Science Center to include robotics, engineering and earth and science education programs—helping expose more students to future careers in STEM and robotics jobs of the future.
yahoo!news
Stafford Leadership Summit inspires ABAC business students
The Albany Herald, Ga.
At the recent Stafford Leadership Summit at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the students in the Stafford School of Business gathered information that will provide them with a solid foundation in the business world. Jay Rifenbary, the president of Rifenbary Training and Development, was the featured speaker. He spoke on “No Excuse: An Action Plan for Success.”
WJBF
AU clinches spot in NCAA Division II Regional Semifinals
by: Deirnesa Jefferson
For the first time in 10 years Augusta University hosted the NCAA Southeast Regional Division II Tournament. The Peach Belt Conference champions played the Belmont Abbey crusaders Saturday at the Christenberry Fieldhouse. Head coach Dip Metress led the Jaguars to a 28-3 record this season, including 17-0 at home — they continued their home court winning streak Saturday night with a 106 to 77 win against the Crusaders. …AU will now advance to the regional semifinals which will be played Sunday back at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia a No. 6 seed, Georgia Tech a No. 9 seed in NCAA Tournament
By Brandon Sudge
The most important part of the basketball season has begun. Inside Stegeman Coliseum, Georgia players lined the on-court bench with all eyes fixated on Sunday’s selection show to learn their path through the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. To the south, Georgia Tech did the same as it gathered inside its locker room. The state’s major women’s basketball programs earned their spot in the premier postseason tournament. Each program recorded at least 20 wins on the season, including signature wins over N.C. State (Georgia) and Connecticut (Tech).
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia State to open NCAAs against No. 1 Gonzaga
By Stan Awtrey
It didn’t take long for Georgia State to learn its first-round opponent. Seconds after No. 1-ranked Gonzaga was announced as the top overall seed for the NCAA men’s tournament, Georgia State’s name was announced as the opponent. It killed the drama among the 100-plus people who gathered at the University Club at Center Parc Stadium, but caused the players to jump to their feet and applaud the selection. Georgia State will play the Zags in the opening round of the Western Region in Portland on Thursday. The time has not been determined.
Savannah Morning News
Greg Parker, Tommy Jones honored at inaugural Parker College of Business gala
Bunny Ware
The Parker College of Business hosted their Inaugural Gala recognizing Tommy Jones with the Distinguished Service Award and Greg Parker with the Outstanding Corporate Award at the DeSoto Savannah, March 5th. First of all let me say that I am a Georgia Southern University graduate. I may have changed my major a few times because of a misplaced love of history and psychology but found my calling when Mass Communication professors like Chris Geyerman and Beverly Graham helped develop what would become my passion — putting a spotlight on the people of Savannah. My spotlight starts with the Parker College of Business Director of Development Robert Grant.
Albany Herald
Photos contributed by Reginald Christian
The inaugural Artesian City Rendezvous was held on Saturday, March 12 at the Flint RiverQuarium. The event, through a partnership with Albany State University and the Flint RiverQuarium, was organized to help monitor water quality in the Flint River watershed while exploring Albany and the surrounding areas. Participants enjoyed a day outside, learning how to collect water samples, watching the laboratory process collected samples, and hopefully discovered a new favorite water feature in the community.
Savannah Morning News
Local colleges, high schools have new enticement for marquee games at Enmarket Arena
The $165 million facility gives Savannah State, Georgia Southern and Chatham County schools more to offer when pitching for big-time sporting events.
Nathan Dominitz
Enmarket Arena will bring higher-profile sporting events to Savannah. Building a $165 million facility with amenities to enhance the experience for teams and spectators should ensure that. Savannah State and Georgia Southern, who already have arenas on their main campuses, would like to get in on the fun. Athletic directors for both universities said they would support playing games, particularly in men’s and women’s basketball, at the recently opened site on Stiles Avenue.
Statesboro Herald
Second annual run for Teal House held March 5
By Scott Bryant/staff
The second annual Teal Ribbon Run 5K and Fun Run was held March 5 at Georgia Southern University. Benefitting the Teal House, Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center, the event was held at the Anderson Pavilion.
The West Georgian
ARE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS ACCURATE? HERE’S THE RUNDOWN
By Amanda Clay
COVID-19 home antigen tests surged in popularity during the omicron surge, quickly becoming sold out in nearly every store and pharmacy nationwide. Following the hysteria, The White House subsequently announced a mass distribution of COVID-19 antigen tests to American households across the country. COVID-19 antigen home tests are convenient due to their ease of use and quick result – but their statistical accuracy has been questioned, particularly with the omicron variant. Dr. Eric Heine, Medical Director of Health Services at the University of West Georgia, says that false negatives are more common in rapid home antigen tests in comparison to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests .
WFXG
AU professor breaks down inflation and when we could see relief
By Jared Eggleston
Inflation is hitting a new 40-year-high as consumers continue to see more and more of their paychecks disappear. Augusta University economics professor Jonathan Leightner tells FOX54 this record-breaking inflation is the result of a perfect storm. “In general, prices are rising at about 7%. Meaning that by the end of this year, we’ll be paying 7% more for the average item that we have to buy,” he says. As issues related to COVID-19 continue to drive up inflation, Leightner says other issues are also leading to not much relief being in sight.
Montgomery Independent
SECIS Kickoff Classic latest sporting event to leave Capital City
By Tim Gayle
The fifth Southeastern Commission of Independent Schools’ Kickoff Classic will be played in August, 2022, but it will not resume play in Cramton Bowl. Add the SECIS event to a growing list of sporting events that are pulling out of the Capital City and not being replaced as a new group of city officials show a lack of interest in attracting or keeping sporting events. SECIS officials announced back in 2020, when the event was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, that it wasn’t scheduled to return to Montgomery because of the disinterest shown by city officials, but apparently no one in city government stepped forward over the past two years to offer any encouragement. …This year’s event will be hosted by the University of West Georgia at Carrollton, Ga. “I think (SECIS officials) were working with a couple of different facilities,” AISA executive director Michael McLendon said. “They wanted the event. I think they also talked with Samford and some other facilities in Georgia. The University of West Georgia wanted it on their campus.”
Space Coast Daily
Florida Tech to Host National Steel Bridge Competition Starting March 19, Volunteers Needed
Florida Tech will welcome student teams from eight schools March 19-20 as the American Institute of Steel Construction Student Chapter at Florida Tech hosts the AISC Student Steel Bridge Competition for the first time. The 25-year-old annual competition challenges student teams to develop a scale-model steel bridge. Teams must determine how to fabricate their bridge and then plan for an efficient assembly under timed construction at the competition. Bridges are then load tested and weighed. The bridge must span approximately 20 feet and carry 2,500 pounds and must meet all other specifications of the competition rules. Bridge aesthetics are also considered in the final results of the competition. In addition to Florida Tech, the other participating schools in this southeast region competition are the University of Central Florida, University of Florida, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, Georgia Tech, University of South Florida, Kennesaw State University, Florida International University, and Georgia Southern University.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Argosy University settlement provides debt relief for former students
By Eric Stirgus
The school closed its metro Atlanta campus three years ago
Three years after Argosy University officials abruptly closed its metro Atlanta campus and others in nearly a dozen states, some former students are getting important financial relief. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr and his counterparts in several states recently reached an agreement with the school’s owners that wipes out loan debts for several hundred former students nationwide. The agreement is the latest effort by authorities to crackdown on for-profit colleges and universities. Education advocates and elected officials have longed complained that for-profit schools have taken advantage of students with misleading claims and high tuitions. …Former Argosy students like Ellenwood resident Ashley Jones, 37, say the closure upended their lives. …Jones and some friends completed their degrees at the University of West Georgia in December 2020. She owes about $50,000 in loans that weren’t taken directly from Argosy. She believes more safeguards are needed to help students when a school is in financial trouble.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opinion: Advice for Georgia universities’ new chancellor
By Matthew Boedy
Georgia’s university system must answer to an increasingly divided public, but also seek to change that public through its work.
Chancellor Perdue,
As you know, there has been much criticism of you getting this job. I and other faculty pointed out your lack of experience in higher education administration. Students rallied against you as well, saying you are a threat to higher education. Yet, here we are. What is done is done. Faculty, staff, and students across the state’s 26 public institutions are deeply pessimistic, afraid, and tired, but you deserve a chance.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated March 11)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,918,383
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 30,397 | 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
Public’s Impression of Higher Education Improves (Somewhat)
More Americans believe degrees have value and graduates are prepared for work than was true four years ago. But partisan divide is widening (and Independents are losing confidence).
By Doug Lederman
Public confidence in higher education ebbed badly in the latter half of the last decade, to judge by the steady stream of opinion polls from 2017 through 2019 that showed Americans (especially Republicans) increasingly convinced that colleges and universities were heading in the wrong direction, failing to prepare graduates for work and favoring liberal views over conservative ones. Those attitudes, combined with growing scrutiny from Republican politicians in numerous states on campus curricular and governance matters, spurred nearly eight in 10 respondents to Inside Higher Ed’s recent Survey of College and University Presidents to agree that they were “worried about Republicans’ increasing skepticism about higher education” and that “the perception of colleges as places that are intolerant of conserving views is having a major negative impact on attitudes about higher education.”
Inside Higher Ed
Stanford Moves to End $1.7M Russian Contract
By Scott Jaschik
Stanford University is ending a $1.7 million contract with a Russian entity. Dee Mostofi, Stanford’s assistant vice president for external communications, said, “Stanford is in the process of ending an agreement that provides online access to business-related professional development courses through a licensee. We are in full compliance with U.S. sanctions.”