WRDW
Augusta University students discuss frozen tuition, dropped fees
By Maria Sellers
On Tuesday, the University System of Georgia regents voted to drop the special institutional fee and not raise tuition at Augusta University, and 24 more of the system’s 26 schools. We spoke with some students at Augusta University about the money-saving measure. It’ll amount to about an eight percent savings for students at AU. It may not sound like much, but students enrolled in the health sciences campus will save $450 a semester. For students enrolled in the Summerville campus, it’s a savings of $355 a semester. For some students, this decrease in fees could make all the difference.
Savannah CEO
Savannah State University to Honor Students’ Academic Achievements
Staff Report
Savannah State University (SSU) will recognize the academic achievements of more than 935 students during the annual Honors Convocation Ceremony on the front lawn of the Kennedy Fine Arts Center, Thursday, April 14 at 9:30 a.m. Exceptional students from the university’s four colleges – College of Business Administration, College of Education, College of Sciences and Technology, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences– will be awarded. The ceremony will also highlight the Faculty and Staff Excellence Award recipients and will include special recognition for the Board of Regents Academic Achievement Award honoree.
The Augusta Chronicle
For Granddad: MCG student’s work in stroke, brain repair honors grandfather’s legacy
Tom Corwin
Even as she delved into therapies for damaged brains at a world-renowned laboratory in Athens, Medical College of Georgia student Sam Spellicy could only watch as her beloved grandfather’s mind withered from vascular dementia, “powerless” to stop it. Now moving onto a prestigious neurosurgery residency at Duke University, Spellicy will also get to continue her work on stem cell-derived therapies to heal the brain even as she trains to attack the clots that cause strokes. Samantha Spellicy, an MD/PhD student at Medical College of Georgia, did her doctorate lab work at the University of Georgia at Athens and went to the Savannah branch campus of MCG. …Spellicy, 32, will graduate in May from the MD/PHD program at MCG at Augusta University and then start a seven-year physician-scientist residency at Duke.
WALB
ABAC forms memorial scholarship in honor of student killed in Coweta Co. triple homicide
By Kim McCullough
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) has formed a memorial scholarship in honor of a student that was killed on April 8 in Coweta County along with two other family members. Alexander “Luke” Hawk was set to start at ABAC in the Fall. The college is asking for donations to help fund the scholarship.
Times-Georgian
UWG and Atlanta based company announce collaborative effort
Special To The Times-Georgian
The Partnership, an Atlanta based marketing, branding and public relations agency, has announced a collaborative effort with the University of West Georgia and its School of Communication, Film and Media (SCFM). The company has pledged $50,000 in support toward the transformation of bluestone, a student-led public relations firm and talent and resource development initiative at UWG. The recently established SCFM will leverage the institution’s strengths and resources in research and academia to further promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The investment in bluestone at UWG represents a commitment to this larger vision to build a consistent pipeline of talent while preparing students for today’s complex job market.
WSAV
Savannah State to honor NROTC members at 50th annual Spring Review
by: Dajhea Jones
Savannah State University(SSU) is honoring accomplished midshipmen in their Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps(NROTC) program. SSU is hosting its 50th Annual Spring Review on Thursday, April 14 inside the Torian Auditorium in the College of Business Administration, Howard Jordan building from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. U.S. Navy Vice Adm. John Vincent Fuller, the 42nd Naval Inspector General and SSU’s Surface Warfare mentor, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Grice Connect
Lori Wiggins receives GSU College of Education Service Award
By DeWayne Grice
Lori Wiggins received the Operational Efficiency, Effectiveness and Sustainability Award for GSU’s College of Education. Lori is an administrative Assistant II, Departments of Elementary and Special Education, and Middle Grades and Secondary Education, Georgia Southern College of Education.
Marietta Daily Journal
Donor and Kennesaw State student Jim Wallace reflects on Onyx Theater endowment
At 62, Jim Wallace decided to pursue his passion and enrolled in the Theatre and Performance Studies program in Kennesaw State’s College of the Arts. In 2012, Wallace and his wife Ann gave a $250,000 endowment to name KSU’s then-new black box theater as the Onyx Theater. Recently, Wallace was on campus to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their gift. At the celebration, Wallace announced that he will continue to make contributions to the endowment fund with the hopes of bringing the total to $500,000. This year, his mandatory IRA withdrawal of approximately $75,000 will be added to the endowment. Last year he contributed an additional $66,000. “There is great joy in giving back,” said Wallace. “I wanted to support the students and their activities. The number of students who have told us that they love the Onyx theater and love to perform in the Onyx really touches my heart.”
Marietta Daily Journal
Second KSU grad appears on ‘Jeopardy!’
By Zach Edmondson
Leah Q. Pence, a Kennesaw State University graduate from Woodstock, placed second on “Jeopardy!” Tuesday. Pence is a social studies teacher at The Galloway School in Atlanta. She graduated with a bachelor’s in history education from Kennesaw State. Kennesaw State was represented on the show earlier this year when Raymond Goslow, a KSU graduate who works at Switzer Library in Marietta, came in second in the show’s national college championship.
Griffin Daily News
GSC science club visits Cumberland Island, Okefenokee Swamp
By Karolina Philmon Gordon State College, Marketing Manager
EarthWindFire, Gordon State College’s science club, visited Cumberland Island on April 2 and Okefenokee Swamp on April 3. For more than 20 years, this has been an annual trip for the club, but this year marked the first time since 2019 EarthWindFire was able to attend.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State University Founder’s Day Blue & Gold Gala
Photos contributed by Reginald Christian
Albany State University held its Blue & Gold Gala as part of their Founder’s Day festivities on Saturday, April 9, 2022.
Savannah CEO
Memorial Health Contributes $1 Million to Local Organizations
Staff Report
When Memorial Health joined HCA Healthcare on February 1, 2018, a Community Benefit Fund was established to provide much-needed financial resources to organizations that are working to improve our community. Every year, we award $250,000 to help agencies continue the good work they do. As of December 31, 2021, Memorial Health has contributed $1 million from our Community Benefit Fund, benefitting 36 worthwhile organizations. “While caring for our patients and their loved ones is a priority, our commitment to care also applies to our colleagues, our community and organizations that promote health and well-being, education and quality of life,” said Shayne George, Memorial Health CEO. Some of the organizations we are proud to support include: We contributed more than $250,000 to the Waters College of Health Professions at Georgia Southern University (GSU) to help prepare future health professionals. Many of the nurses and clinicians caring for patients in our local hospitals and medical facilities were trained at GSU.
WGAU Radio
UGA: gift from Ga Power will fund professorship
$250 thousand to be matched by University Foundation
By Tim Bryant
UGA says a $250 thousand gift from Georgia Power Company will establish a new professorship at the University of Georgia, one intended to advance research, teaching, and public service in the rapidly accelerating field of electric mobility.
From James Hattaway, UGA Media Relations…
A $250,000 gift from Georgia Power Company will establish a new professorship at the University of Georgia to advance research, teaching and public service in the rapidly accelerating field of electric mobility.
WSAV
Lack of access to public defender creates barriers, professor says
by: Brian Rea
If you’re accused of a crime, the U.S. Constitution guarantees you the right to a lawyer under the Sixth Amendment. The Southern District of Georgia is one of just three federal court districts without a public defender’s office. It spans 43 counties covering Brunswick, Augusta and Savannah. Dr. Chad Posick, a criminal justice professor at Georgia Southern University, explained without access to free representation, defendants face a host of problems — including worse outcomes.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Expansion of GA ports pays dividends to economy, companies, jobs
By Michael E. Kanell and Greg Bluestein
Mammoth project to deepen Savannah River to be followed by billions in port investments.
After decades of political wrangling and environmental roadblocks and nearly seven years of dredging muck from the river bottom, one of Georgia’s most anticipated economic development projects — the nearly $1 billion deepening of the Savannah River channel — is finally complete. …The Savannah port is a conduit for companies that export abroad, especially Georgia kaolin, timber and poultry products on their way to Asia. Yet the lion’s share of shipments are coming to American companies that import components they put into U.S.-made products, as well as finished goods like electronics, toys, clothes and furniture, that are assembled overseas and sold directly to American consumers. In 2019, nearly a half-million jobs existed because of the ports, up about 80% from 276,000 in 2003, said Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Growth at the University of Georgia. During that time, the number of all jobs in the state grew by 19%, Humphreys said.
Times-Georgian
Three admin appointments made at UWG
The University of West Georgia maintains its status as a nationally recognized leader in higher education via a number of avenues, including having the right players on the field. This month, two new hires joined UWG in key positions and a UWG veteran being promoted. Effective April 4, Jeremy McClelland assumed the role of associate vice president for facilities development and sustainability, and Amy Swingle began serving as the university’s new director of Campus Center and University Recreation on April 1.Additionally, Cassidy Nelson, who has served UWG since 2017, was named Director of Housing and Residence Life. she has served as interim director since 2021.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opinion: Protect and increase recess in Georgia schools
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Educator says break helps students learn more and develop social skills
On the final day of the Legislature, lawmakers passed a bill mandating recess in Georgia schools. Similar legislation was approved in 2019 but Gov. Brian Kemp vetoed it, deeming the mandate too burdensome on schools. The author of both bills is Rep. Demetrius Douglas, D-Stockbridge. He worked with Kemp’s office this year to shape a bill that would avoid another veto. As The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported: “Unlike the prior bill, this new one does not prevent teachers from withholding recess as punishment for unruly behavior or for extra study time. It also doesn’t specify the duration of recess, which in the vetoed bill was an average of half an hour per day.” In a guest column, educator Stacey Quinn-Kemp of Buford contends that recess should be longer than 30 minutes and never withheld as a punishment. A mother of two, Quinn-Kemp has served as a substitute teacher for eight years and is working on a master’s degree in elementary education at Georgia Southern University.
Albany Herald
By Dave Williams Bureau Chief Capitol Beat News Service
Donald Trump’s endorsement doesn’t seem to mean much in Georgia’s Republican primary race for governor. But the former president’s blessing apparently makes a big difference further down the GOP primary ballot. Those are the findings of an unusual poll conducted March 20 through April 8 by the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs Survey Research Center.
11Alive
Kemp names big political donors to Board of Regents
Campaign haul came weeks before Governor named pair to board.
Author: Doug Richards
Two big contributors to Governor Brian Kemp’s campaign were among the governor’s newest appointees to the Board of Regents. No law says the governor can’t appoint big-money contributors to the Board of Regents, but it’s raising eyebrows. The Board of Regents governs the University System of Georgia – covering Georgia Tech, the University of Georgia and 26 other colleges and universities. Tom Bradbury, a homebuilder and turf farmer, and Tim Evans, a construction contractor, are two of the newest regents. In the months before their appointments to the board by Gov. Brian Kemp, Kemp’s re-election campaign benefited from some generous contributions from the pair, their family members and businesses.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coronavirus deaths and cases in Georgia (updated April 14)
An updated count of coronavirus deaths and cases reported across the state
CONFIRMED CASES: 1,943,450 | Note: The DPH reports that starting on March 30 and into the next several days, it expects to clear a backlog of cases from a laboratory that were not previously recorded. DPH noted that the majority of these cases were from December 2021 and January 2022, and do not represent a spike of new cases in late March.
CONFIRMED DEATHS: 31,390 | 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
Turnover, Burnout and Demoralization in Higher Ed: Key Podcast
By Doug Lederman
Employers of all kinds are struggling to hold on to their employees in the wake of the pandemic and amid a white-hot job market. Data recently released by the University of North Carolina system, for instance, show that faculty and staff turnover in the first half of this academic year was about 40 percent higher than the average of the last four years. Are colleges and universities just dealing with the same issues other industries are facing? Or are there unique problems in higher ed that campus leaders need to acknowledge?
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
How Will a Fresh Start for Borrowers in Default Work?
Rebecca Kelliher
Pexels Monstera 5849580The U.S. Department of Education (ED) last week announced a four-month extension on the federal student loan repayment pause in the pandemic. But to many advocates and experts, one slim line in ED’s press release stood out: borrowers who were in default pre-pause would get a “fresh start” to “reenter repayment in good standing.” The question is, what happens next?
Inside Higher Ed
Making Campus Police More Approachable
In the post–George Floyd era, some college police departments are demilitarizing uniforms and repainting cars to appear less intimidating and try to earn students’ trust.
By Josh Moody
Like many law enforcement agencies, campus police forces have become the subject of scrutiny, particularly in the post–George Floyd era, when distrust of uniformed officers is high. Many university police wear militarized uniforms and carry gear more commonly seen in combat zones; through the Pentagon’s military surplus 1033 program, some colleges even equip officers with leftover weapons of war, including grenade launchers, M16 rifles and land mine–resistant tactical vehicles. Protests against police brutality and calls to defund law enforcement are as common on college campuses as they are on city streets. Now some college police departments are deploying a new tactic to try to gain student trust: swapping out their intimidating uniforms and badges for casual clothing that makes them appear more approachable. Beyond that, some college police departments are dropping the black and white paint and flashing lights from their cars, adopting campus colors in an effort to soften their presence. And it isn’t just a look—campus leaders say it’s part of a strategy focused on enhancing community policing.