WGXA
Cathy Cox named 12th Georgia College & State University President
by Brandon McGouirk
“The academic ceremony, since the middle ages, has symbolized a commitment to the pursuit of knowledge. It allows us to welcome a new era of leadership and to celebrate as a community,” Chancellor and former Governor Sonny Perdue says during the investiture ceremony, welcoming Georgia College & State University’s 12th President, Cathy Cox. Assuming the role of president in October of 2021, Cox was officially inaugurated at the Centennial Center in Milledgeville on Friday.
The Griffin Daily News
Freshman enrollment increases at GSC
Gordon State College welcomed Wednesday more than 3,000 in-person and online students for the 2022 fall semester, according to a college statement. Of the students enrolled for fall semester, 917 are freshmen. This is a 54% increase over fall 2021 freshmen enrollment numbers.
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Dalton Daily Citizen
Margaret Venable: Dalton State heroes
When we think of heroes, many of us picture a firefighter or maybe a movie or comic book character in a bold costume flying through a city. But heroes are all around us. I encounter them every day. Across the Dalton State College campus, we have many heroes serving our students. Dalton State is a very lean organization, so while our heroes don’t wear capes, many of them wear multiple hats, pitching in wherever and whenever needed. Why do so many of our faculty and staff stay here for decades? I think it is because they believe in Dalton State’s mission of serving our diverse population of students from Northwest Georgia and beyond by providing challenging academics and rich collegiate experiences. Dalton State employees believe in the transformational experience of a high-quality college education. Over the years I have served as the president of Dalton State, we have lost several employees and retirees. We lost two key faculty members last year; we lost two heroes.
Fox5 Atlanta
Georgia college student’s shoe business takes off
By FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
A college student from Georgia is operating his own business while earning his degree at the same time. Georgia Highlands College in Floyd County said Rontavious ‘Tay’ Coley launched his own shoe shop. He’s always loved sneakers, and friends and classmates inspired him to start his own business. Coley launched The Early Way on Broad in Rome’s downtown. It celebrated its grand opening in April 2021. The shop sells other clothing a fashion accessories like hats, shirts and totes. …He’s studying for his bachelor’s degree in healthcare management.
Griffin Daily News
ABWA awards scholarship to KSU student
By Karen Gunnels Assistant Managing Editor
Wanda Cronic Howell, Scholarship Committee chairman of the Iris Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association, presents Elicia Threatt with an academic scholarship. Also on hand were Threatt’s mother, Cynthia Guider, and ABWA President Kathleen Smith. Elicia Threatt will use the scholarship while she attends Kennesaw State University to pursue a degree in engineering.
Valdosta Today
Georgia educational institutions awarded grants
The U.S. DOE awarded grants to several Georgia universities and colleges to improve doctoral studies for disadvantaged students.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announced $51.7 million in 189 new grant awards to institutions of higher education across the United States as part of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair). The program provides grants to universities and colleges for projects designed to provide disadvantaged college students effective preparation for doctoral studies. …A full list of the new grantees is below and includes 14 Historically Black College and Universities (HBCUs), and 55 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) (including Hispanic Serving, Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions).
Fort Valley State University $261,888
University of Georgia $261,889
University of North Georgia $261,888
Georgia Southern University Research & Service Fdn, Inc. $261,888
Statesboro Herald
East Georgia State College honors employees at recognition program
Each year at East Georgia State College’s fall workshop, faculty and staff come together to meet about the upcoming academic year. During the workshop, the annual EGSC Employee Appreciation and Recognition Program is held. During this year’s workshop on Aug. 3, outstanding faculty and staff were acknowledged. Employees achieving service milestones were presented awards for their dedication and years of service. In addition, STAR Staff Awards were presented to a staff member in each department and Distinguished Faculty Awards were presented to faculty members who have gone above and beyond for students. The first awards given out, the Service Milestone Awards, were for years of service. The award recipients have 285 years of combined service to EGSC. David Gribbin was awarded the 40 years of service award.
Marietta Daily Journal
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College professor engages in Fulbright Scholarship
It is raining. Andrew Egan, a professor of forestry at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, is not surprised. After all, it’s the rainy season in Nepal where he spent the summer and is now spending this fall as the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship. “We get rain almost every day,” Egan said in a June email. “In fact, it’s raining as I write this. That and the severe storms that accompany the rain sometimes knock out power and internet access.” Egan applied for a Fulbright Scholarship when he was doing forestry work with the Peace Corps in the Philippines in 2019. The Fulbright Senior Scholar program is a competitive process that requires a proposal for research and curriculum development and a record of research and teaching, in forest science in his case. …Egan was notified of his Fulbright Scholarship in March 2020. Then came the pandemic.
Albany Herald
Trio receives emeritus status at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
From staff reports
The former provost and two faculty members have been selected for emeritus status at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Emeritus status recipients include Jerry Baker, professor emeritus of agriculture and provost; Susan Roe, professor emerita of voice and head of fine arts department; and Frank Flanders, associate professor emeritus of agricultural education. Former ABAC President David Bridges informed the recipients of their emeritus status before he retired on July 31. …Emeritus status privileges extend to the Baldwin Library; ABAC social, cultural and athletic events, and campus faculty meetings.
WJBF
Augusta University mascot ‘Augustus’ celebrates 7th birthday
by: Joey Gill
Augusta University’s mascot Augustus the Jaguar celebrated his 7th birthday on Thursday. The special event was held at the Jaguar Student Activities Center on the Summerville campus, and included a cookie cake, balloons, and a celebratory singing of Happy Birthday. Augustus’ duties as part of the university’s official mascot is cheering on the school’s teams during sporting events, celebrating university achievements, and just overall spreading “spirit and cheer” wherever he goes.
The Red & Black
UGA Residence Hall Association hosts Dawgfest
Ireland Hayes
The University of Georgia Residence Hall Association hosted its first event of the semester on Sunday at Myers Quad to welcome students back to campus following move-in weekend. Dawgfest, a carnival-style event, was complete with games and activities such as a mechanical bulldog, ring toss and a chance to stuff your own bulldog plush toy. Several classic carnival snacks like snow cones and popcorn were also available for students to enjoy as they bounced from one attraction to another spread across the quad. Each activity had long lines, which gave students the chance to get to know each other while they waited for their turn.
MSN
The single drink that stiffens blood vessels and hikes heart attack risk within four hours
Adam Chapman
Blood vessels are the channels or conduits through which blood is distributed to body tissues. They underpin virtually every important process in the body. Failure to look after your blood vessels can invite a host of life-threatening complications, such as blood clotting and heart attacks.
Worryingly, a study published in the journal Laboratory Investigation found just one single serving of a high-fat milkshake can wreak havoc upon blood vessels. Just four hours after consuming a milkshake made with whole milk, heavy whipping cream and ice cream, healthy young men had stiffer blood vessels and an immune response similar to one provoked by an infection, the team of Medical College of Georgia scientists reported. The findings could help explain isolated reports of death and/or heart attack right after eating a super-high fat meal, the scientists said.
Food Safety News
University research advances food safety with faster Listeria test and Norovirus vaccine
By News Desk
A new way of detecting deadly Listeria contamination in food and a vaccine for troublesome Norovirus are being reported by major research universities. University of Georgia College of Engineering researchers report they have a new method for Listeria detection, and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech announced it will evaluate a potential live oral vaccine for norovirus, which is the No. 1 cause of foodborne illness. Listeriosis, an infection caused by eating food contaminated by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is known for causing severe illness in children, pregnant women, newborns, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems. It is the third leading cause of death from foodborne illness, or food poisoning, in the United States.
Statesboro Herald
A ‘tasty’ way to help out the United Way
The 12th annual Tasting Statesboro the United Way was held Thursday — and a sold out group of hundreds of local residents found a delicious way to check out the best fare offered by local food and beverage providers. More than 35 local vendors participate in the event, with proceeds going to support the United Way and to raise awareness. …The food came from a variety of cuisines, ranging from breakfast, lunch and dinner, to appetizers, desserts, coffee, beer and wine. The event also featured more than 30 raffle items, and was held at the Russell Union Ballroom at Georgia Southern University.
Knowridge
Many people have chronic brain and mental symptoms after COVID-19 infection
Scientists from Augusta University found chronic neuropsychiatric symptoms following COVID-19 infection, although self-reported symptoms are not linked to dysfunction. In the study, they recruited COVID-19-positive adult patients from inpatient and outpatient settings in Georgia. They examined the severity and chronicity of neurologic findings observed during the acute phase of infection during a five-year period following infection. The study reported preliminary results from the first 200 patients who were 125 days past having a positive COVID-19 test, on average.
Georgia Recorder
What monkeypox outbreak? Little planning by colleges as students resume classes
By: Jennifer Shutt
College students are heading back to campus following more than two years of a pandemic that led many schools to empty out for full semesters and later move to hybrid schedules in a struggle to curb the spread of COVID-19. But the attempt by colleges and universities to return to something resembling normal could be truncated by monkeypox, the virus that has steadily increased throughout the summer, challenging both the federal government and state and local public health officials. Higher education plans for dealing with monkeypox appear opaque or nonexistent. Schools have begun sending students information about monkeypox through websites and newsletters, but large public colleges contacted by States Newsroom were unable to explain how they’ll help students isolate or keep up with their classes during the two to four weeks they’ll be contagious if they contract monkeypox. …The University of Georgia, where students are already back on campus ahead of the fall semester, says on its website the University Health Center’s “clinical staff are trained and fully prepared to identify any patient presenting with signs and symptoms consistent with monkeypox infection.”
WRDW
Augusta doctor explains the truth about monkeypox
By Maria Sellers
Augusta now has two confirmed cases of monkeypox. Thursday, Piedmont University tells us they are treating one patient. Augusta University says they are also treating one confirmed patient but believes a second patient may be infected as well. Many have reached out asking questions about monkeypox, based on things read online. Let’s start with how quickly it’s spread in Georgia since our first case back on June 10.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
How Much Are Public-College Presidents Paid?
Base pay, bonuses, and benefits for 196 chief executives at public doctoral universities and systems in 2021.
Methodology
These data show the total compensation received by chief executives at public college and university systems in the 2020 calendar year. All individuals who served as chief executive during this period, including interim and acting leaders, are included. Oftentimes, more than one chief executive served at an institution during a given year. Presidents who served less than the full year are noted. Compensation values for all employees reflect the compensation earned from the institution (and associated foundations) across a calendar year, regardless of the role or roles held by those employees during the full year. …The Chronicle surveyed institutions to collect these public data. Our analysis generally includes all public doctoral universities (nonmilitary service) in the United States as well as all state college and university systems or governing boards with at least three campuses or 50,000 total students enrolled across the system in the most-recent academic year. This analysis does not include systems, state boards, or administrative departments that oversee only technical or community colleges, nor does it include institutions in Puerto Rico. A limited number of system offices report relevant data to Ipeds.
Higher Education News:
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Students Are Struggling With Basic Needs. So Colleges Are Tapping ‘Benefits Navigators.’
By Brianna Hatch
The three students at Oregon Coast Community College needed help. To finish their degrees, they had to complete an internship this past spring, which required driving to a nearby internship site. But gas was $6 a gallon. That’s when Tracy Jones stepped in. As the student-resource navigator at Oregon Coast, Jones helps students who are facing financial barriers that could derail them academically. She gave each of the three students a $100 gift card for gas. “They were able to get there, get their hours in, and then graduate,” she said. “And now they are moving on.” Benefits navigators like Jones are popping up on college campuses across the country. They help students apply for federal, state, and local assistance; connect them with food pantries and other resources; and provide them with emergency aid when times get tough. Illinois, Oregon, and California passed laws in the past year requiring a benefits navigator — and, in California’s case, a physical basic-needs center — on every public college campus in the state.
Higher Ed Dive
OPINION – Turn to these ABCs to help a generation of college students devastated by the pandemic
Reaching learners now means going beyond waiving standardized test scores, argues the provost of The College of Health Care Professions.
By Joanitt Montano
Dr. Joanitt Montano is provost and chief academic officer at The College of Health Care Professions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating to the educations of millions of students at all levels. Students from kindergarten through grade 12 fell months behind in reading, math and other subjects because virtual school at home proved to be an unsatisfactory substitute for the classroom. A recent survey found that many college students felt lost on campus because they were unprepared to do college-level work or learned less than they had before the pandemic. Moreover, growing numbers of young adults are bypassing college. Whether young Americans feel unprepared for college because of a subpar high school experience, or they have grown skeptical of the long-term value of a college degree, or they were lured by a strong job market, the nation’s undergraduate enrollment since the start of the pandemic has fallen by about 1 million students. And an increasing number of high school students say they’re not interested in going to a four-year institution.
Higher Ed Dive
Skillsoft adds Coursera integration, citing demand for deep learning libraries
Kate Tornone, Lead Editor
Dive Brief:
Employers that use Skillsoft and Coursera will now have access to both providers through a single platform, the companies announced Aug. 10. The move, which brings Coursera offerings into a Skillsoft platform, was a response to employers’ reported challenges finding learning solutions with deep enough libraries. “Helping organizations around the world bridge critical skills gaps is no small task, and we recognize the value and importance of partnering with fellow industry leaders to make learning as widely accessible as possible,” said Apratim Purakayastha, Skillsoft’s chief product and technology officer, in a statement. Clients will have access to Coursera’s leadership and business content, among other things, and also can add custom content, according to the announcement.
Issues in Higher Ed
Education Department Terminates Controversial Accreditor
Deputy Education Secretary Cindy Marten issued a final decision on the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
By Meghan Brink
The Department of Education is officially terminating federal recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools after Deputy Secretary of Education Cindy Marten issued a final decision Friday. The department will provisionally certify the 27 for-profit colleges currently accredited by ACICS to continue to receive federal funding. However, the colleges must find another accreditor within 18 months, or their funding will be revoked. These colleges will also be prohibited from enrolling new students until they find a new accreditor unless a student can finish their program within the 18-month period. “The deputy secretary’s decision is not grounded in ACICS’s history or reputation but rather its continued long-standing inability to come into compliance with the minimum standards expected of accreditation agencies over the course of years,” said Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. The department said this is the final decision it will issue regarding ACICS.
Inside Higher Ed
New Suit Against Florida’s Stop WOKE Act
By Scott Jaschik
A group of professors on Thursday sued the state of Florida over its Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act, widely called the Stop WOKE Act. The law prohibits teaching things (including in higher education) that may make students feel uncomfortable. Also on Thursday, a federal judge blocked a portion of the law that affects private businesses. The new suit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Florida ACLU, challenges the part of the law that covers higher education.
Inside Higher Ed
OPINION – Our House Is Burning
Traditional approaches to civic education are not sufficient to counter the urgent threats to American democracy, Eric Mlyn writes.
By Eric Mlyn
With the health of American democracy hanging by an unraveling thread, our old approaches to civic education are woefully inadequate to combat this existential threat. To meet this moment of peril, we must recognize that the American political divide is no longer between Democrats and Republicans. Instead, it’s between those who are pro-democracy and those increasingly pushing us toward authoritarianism. I have been a participant and leader in higher education’s civic engagement movement for more than two decades. The focus of my work has been building experiential programs that place students in civic organizations at home and abroad and teaching civic engagement and social change in the classroom. I have seen the deep impact that these kinds of programs and classes have on the students who participate in them and on the communities that they serve. But I now see some of my own efforts and those of my colleagues as inadequate, because we are as a group unwilling to honestly name the threat, and so I am disheartened as I watch American higher education cower in the face of threats to our democratic mission.
CBS Local
A student loan servicer told some borrowers payments will be auto-debited Sept. 1. They won’t.
By CBS News
Some people with student loans received a notice Thursday from their servicer that their next payment would automatically debit at the beginning of next month — but the Education Department said any communications from servicers about payments restarting was sent in error. The clock is ticking down on the expiration at the end of the month of the student loan payment pause, a pandemic measure that halted borrowers’ payments and set their interest rate to zero. But student loan servicer Nelnet sent borrowers an email saying payments would automatically debit Sept. 1 and to check their website up to three days prior to make changes to that scheduled debit. It is not clear how many borrowers received the message. Hours after the notification went out, Nelnet sent out a second email saying payments remain paused due to COVID-19.