University System News:
Athens CEO
UGA Partners With Fort Valley State University to Launch New Student Research Program
Jordan Powers
The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is now accepting applications for a new internship program with Fort Valley State University (FVSU) slated for summer 2022. The Rising Scholars Internship is an opportunity for students from FVSU to conduct research with CAES scientists and reside on the UGA campus in Athens from May 23 through July 23. The program is supported by the Office of the President at UGA. “I am excited to see representatives from both UGA and FVSU partner to provide this opportunity for students interested in studying agricultural and environmental sciences,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “I am pleased to support this program which can be a model for collaboration between institutions across our University System.” The paid, nine-week program is intended for students who have an interest in research and are planning to attend graduate school in agriculture and related sciences.
Columbus CEO
Adam Bova of Columbus State University Discusses Their Partnership with Georgia Film Academy
Adam Bova is a professor within the Communications Department at Columbus State University. He talks about their partnership with the Georgia Film Academy and other community organizations.
The Augusta Chronicle
Georgia Legislature drops effort to regulate USG teaching race, but K-12 proposals ongoing
Abraham Kenmore
Regulating how University System of Georgia professors address questions of race and history likely won’t be moving forward in the Georgia General Assembly this session. Two bills regulating the teaching of “divisive concepts,” one in the House and one in the Senate, passed their respective chambers ahead of crossover day, the day by which legislation has to be approved by at least one chamber to move forward that session. The two bills contained similar lists of divisive concepts:
- the idea that the United States is fundamentally racist
- that morality is determined by race
- that people bear responsibility for past actions by people of their race.
Both bills prevent curriculum or training programs that promote these concepts in K-12 education, but the Senate bill, SB 377 initially had extensive requirements for University System of Georgia professors and Georgia Technical Colleges as well.
Patch
Georgia Southern Adopts Temporary Admission Requirements
In an ongoing effort to support student success and expedite the application process, first-year students applying to Georgia Southern University for the fall 2022 semester can now be admitted without an ACT or SAT score if they have a high school GPA of 3.2 or higher. Students who have a GPA of less than 3.2 should submit official ACT or SAT scores to be considered for admission. Applicants who have previously applied for admission for the fall 2022 semester will be reevaluated according to the new admission criteria.
HCPress
A group of over 35 students and leaders from Georgia Southern University to spent their spring break serving others in the High Country this past week. The group spent time at Appalachian State University working with students, faculty, and staff, and on both Wednesday and Thursday, half of the group spent the day at Casting Bread Market in Blowing Rock. Diann Miller, the Operations Manager at Casting Bread said, “They cleaned with us, we organized together, they delivered food to clients, and most of all, we laughed and had a great time serving the community together. These students are amazing.”
WTVM
Columbus State University hosts FIRST Robotics Competition for Ga. high school students
By Jatavia O’Neal
More than 30 Georgia high schools, including the local Columbus team, brought students, teachers, mentors and family members to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition. This high-tech sporting event was exciting and full of energy for participants and spectators alike. The FIRST Robotics Competition is a program that challenges high school students, working with professional mentors, to design and build a robot to contend in competitions. Teams competed for honors and recognition that reward design excellence, sportsmanship, teamwork and more.
Americus Times-Recorder
GSW celebrates donors, scholarship recipients at annual luncheon
By Ken Gustafson
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) scholarship recipients mingled and shared a meal with their benefactors at the 13th Annual Donor-Scholar Luncheon on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Sponsored by Georgia Southwestern and the GSW Foundation, the event honored both groups for their commitment and support of GSW. Approximately 130 donors and scholars were in attendance for the luncheon held in the Private Dining Room of the Thomas O. Marshall Jr. Pavilion.
Albany Herald
Albany State University Foundation to host scholarship gala
From staff reports
The Albany State University Blue and Gold Scholarship Gala will be held at the L. Orene Hall Building lawn, located on ASU’s East Campus, April 9 at 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will help provide a variety of scholarships for admitted students. “The Blue and Gold Scholarship Gala is an annual event that raises scholarship funds to support ASU students,” ASU President Marion Fedrick said. “In the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, the ASU Foundation saw its third year of consecutive growth. This resulted in raising $1.1 million and awarding $256,976 in scholarships to 409 students. We hope to see many community members come out to support this spectacular event.” The theme is “Garden Tent Party — En Blanc.” Guests should arrive in white-inspired garden chic attire. The event will take place during the weeklong Founder’s Day Celebration.
Marietta Daily Journal
Kennesaw State professor shows switchgrass can clean contaminated soil
A Kennesaw State University researcher in the College of Science and Mathematics has an economical and ecologically sound method for cleaning contaminated soil and reducing its harmful effects: Grow some grass. Associate professor of biology Sigurdur Greipsson recently finished four years of research under a $160,453 grant from the National Science Foundation that showed planting switchgrass, a tall perennial grass native to North America, can reduce lead contamination in soil. The study, which measured lead levels at three sites in Georgia, including a former Superfund site near Cedartown and a pair of much-cleaner sites in the Atlanta area, has implications for several industries that rely on restoration of soil, including agriculture, healthcare and real estate.
GPB
Black birder wants to change perceptions of who belongs in nature
By: Orlando Montoya
Corina Newsome is excited for spring’s arrival in Georgia. An ornithologist, bird-watcher and one of the co-organizers of Black Birders Week, she’ll be watching for the first ruby-throated hummingbirds to return to the state after wintering in South America. Georgia Audubon hired Newsome to lead the organization’s community engagement efforts last year. A rock star in the birding world, Newsome’s 66,000 Instagram and 84,000 Twitter followers show us the power of her story: how a young Black woman from Philadelphia came to travel Georgia backroads and preach the gospel of engaging diverse communities in the enjoyment of nature. …Graduate studies then took her to Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, her base of operations for learning about coastal birds and Georgia Audubon. While she was there, something happened many states north that would change her life.
Clayton News Daily
UGA alumna Pat Mitchell continues to inspire by sharing women’s stories
By Krista Richmond
Dangerous times call for dangerous women. And Pat Mitchell wants you to know their stories. “The most dangerous thing that we can do as women is support each other,” she said. Mitchell, a legendary media executive, producer and curator, connects women with opportunities to discover, grow and use their power to make the world a better place. She’s doing that by making sure their stories are heard on every media platform. …Her own story is an inspiration, too. Mitchell’s story starts in Swainsboro. She wanted to attend the University of Georgia, but her father had reservations about sending her to such a large school. He told her that she could go if she earned a scholarship; otherwise, she could attend a smaller women’s college. Mitchell’s high school English teacher, who Mitchell said was her big advocate, helped her secure an audition for a drama scholarship, which she received. She went on to receive both a bachelor’s degree (1965) and master’s degree (1967) in English literature from UGA.
Citrus County Chronicle
Local oral surgeons receive dental implant award
By Fred Hiers Chronicle Reporter
…Recipients of the excellence award was given to the office’s dentists Dr. Rushi Patel and Dr. Robert Brokett.
…Brockett graduated from Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry and after practicing general dentistry for a year attended the University of Miami School of Medicine. There he completed a four-year residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery and trained at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Brockett is also board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Savannah Morning News
DACA recipient: Expand tuition equity for immigrants to turbocharge Georgia’s economy
Emmanuel Diaz, Guest Columnist
Emmanuel Diaz, a native of Mexico, is a DACA recipient.
As a graduate of the Armstrong Campus of Georgia Southern University and proud recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, I’m working with my undocumented peers to shed light on our nation’s broken immigration system and sensible solutions that lawmakers at the state level can take to tap into the full potential of Georgia’s young immigrant talent. …We need tuition equity for all 70,000 Georgia Dreamers, including 36,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) eligible individuals in Georgia today. Tuition equity for Georgia Dreamers could add an estimated $10 million to the economy annually through job creation, taxes and general spending power. If these immigrants were all equally able to build on their skills and abilities, I can only imagine the good that it would do for our state.
The Emory Wheel
Endowment increases by 39% in 2021
by Ellie Sulser
Emory University’s endowment increased by 39% from $7.94 billion in fiscal year 2020 to $11.03 billion in fiscal year 2021, according to the annual study conducted by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). This jump represents significantly more growth compared to the 0.82% increase from fiscal year 2019 to fiscal year 2020, reflecting financial repercussions from the first few months of the pandemic. Emory now ranks No. 16 of the 735 U.S. and Canadian institutions surveyed, up from No. 17 of 717 last year. Of participating colleges and universities in Georgia, Emory’s endowment remains the largest, followed by the Georgia Institute of Technology with $2.97 billion and the University of Georgia with $1.82 billion, which nationally ranks them No. 49 and No. 78, respectively.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated March 18)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,922,372
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 30,684 | 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.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The next wave? Omicron BA.2 subvariant gains steam in Georgia
By Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lately, there’s been good news about COVID-19 in Georgia: The number of people hospitalized for COVID reached its lowest point in eight months on Friday, and new coronavirus infections are also at the lowest level since early December before omicron shifted into high gear. But public health experts say despite those encouraging trends, infections in Georgia could climb again because of BA.2, a subvariant of omicron gaining traction here and across the country. “Every time the cases come down, I feel relief. It feels great, and to be able to do things you were not comfortable doing before,” said Dr. Jesse Couk, an infectious disease doctor at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. “But we have to look ahead, and this is why we are so focused on Europe. We see this wave in the distance and we don’t know what will happen here.” …In Georgia and other states in the South, including Florida and South Carolina, the federal agency reports 12.4% of the circulating viruses are BA.2 while the rest is the original omicron. Couk and others say BA.2 could soon become dominant in the U.S.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Students Approach Admissions Strategically and Practically
Current admissions and enrollment decision making and desires involve common-sense thinking on location, price and flexibility throughout the process.
By Melissa Ezarik
…The latest Student Voice survey from Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, sponsored by Kaplan, sought perspective from both students whose college search and enrollment were impacted by the pandemic and those who were already in college by spring 2020. Students in each group tended to have made decisions based on practical matters such as location, academic offerings, price and flexibility in the admissions process. Capturing the perspective of 2,001 undergraduates and fielded Feb. 23 to March 1, the survey found that: Students at four-year institutions had a wide variety of reasons for choosing their college, with the top responses being major or program of interest offered there, good overall academic reputation, proximity to home, quality of academics in the area of interest, price of tuition, and financial aid package/scholarships. Students at community colleges (250 of those surveyed) overwhelmingly chose based on proximity to home and cost.