Barnesville Dispatch
Nooks To Serve On Board Of Directors For AASCU
Gordon State College President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks has been selected to serve on the 2023 American Association of State Colleges and Universities Board of Directors where he will play a significant role in guiding its strategic direction. President Nooks was introduced and voted into the full membership during AASCU’s 2022 Annual Conference in Carlsbad, California on November 13th -15th. …According to its official website, AASCU elevates and transforms member institutions through effective public policy and leadership to enable its members to drive regional economic mobility through student access and success while helping to solve their communities’ most pressing challenges. Their mission includes to expand student access, success and opportunity, promote world-class teaching and experiential learning tied to career advancement, and support applied research and service that advances economic development and quality of life in communities across the country.
Patch
Georgia Southern University: From A ‘Whim’ To A Scholarship; Eagle Student’s Path To Harvard
Amunet Berry of Jonesboro, Georgia, was just a freshman at Georgia Southern University when she first began taking classes in German studies. While in high school, she had taken college courses to prepare for a career in psychology. When it came time to select a language to study, which was mandatory in her program, she threw a metaphorical dart at the board and landed on German. …She submitted the application a day before it was due. Much to her surprise, she received the email informing her she was the recipient of the scholarship and would be flown to Harvard.
The Citizen
Yamaha sponsors $25,000 in scholarships for employee’s kids
By Ellie White-Stevens
Brad Mabry got a performance bonus at work. It was not based on his performance; it was because of how well his kids have done in school. Two of his daughters were among the ten student scholarship award winners at Yamaha. Each winner had parents who work for Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation (YMMC), and received a $2500 scholarship. …The Scholarship Program at YMMC is funded by the company’s recycling efforts and designed to “recognize, encourage and promote community involvement and continued education,” according to company officials. It is open to any children or dependents of full-time employees with at least one year of service at the Newnan facility. …This year’s recipients also include Annie Copeland, University of Georgia; …Xander Estes, University of Georgia; …Lauren McKay, University of Georgia; Avante Parks, Fort Valley State University; and Jaylin Wood, Georgia Southern University.
Marietta Daily Journal
Staff reports
Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled has launched a new website that makes it easier to sign up or access audio or braille books and other low vision resources. The redesigned website has improved accessibility features and has been tested for ease of reading with screen reading devices. The URL is https://gls.georgialibraries.org. …Georgia Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled also is launching a new TV and radio PSA that will air statewide to raise awareness of the free services they provide.
Savannah CEO
Georgia Southern University Libraries Staff Selected for National Emerging Leaders Program
Staff Report
Georgia Southern University Libraries staff members Lee Bareford and Kelli-Anne Gecawich have been selected to participate in the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2023 Emerging Leaders Program. Both located at the Lane Library on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, Bareford, associate professor and head of the Learning Commons, and Gecawich, media and circulations associate, are two of only 50 participants selected from a nationwide pool of candidates each year. …The ALA Emerging Leaders Program is a leadership development program that enables library workers across the country who are new to the field to participate in problem-solving work groups, network with peers, gain an inside look into ALA structure and have an opportunity to serve the profession in a leadership capacity. It puts participants on the fast track to ALA committee volunteerism, as well as other professional library-related organizations.
Grice Connect
EGSC Da’Mon Andrews & GS Dustin Anderson selected for USG Executive Leadership Institute
Dr. Da’Mon Andrews, associate vice president, Grants and Analytics, East Georgia State College and Dr. Dustin Anderson, associate provost for Student Success, associate professor of literature, College of Arts & Humanities, affiliate faculty, Center for Irish Research and Teaching, Georgia Southern University have been named to the University System of Georgia (USG) 2022-2023 class of its Executive Leadership Institute (ELI). They will be part of 35 faculty and staff members from 25 USG institutions and the University System Office that will participate in the program. For over a decade, USG has hosted ELI for faculty and staff to develop new leaders within the university system and offer professional develop opportunities to help them grow their careers in Georgia.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College’s Aaron Hafner, Khaled Qasum named NAIA Scholar-Athletes
From Staff Reports
Georgia Gwinnett College men’s soccer junior midfielders Aaron Hafner and Khaled Qasum continue to be winners on and off the soccer pitch, earning 2022 Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athletes team honors. Student-athletes must have achieved a 3.5 or higher cumulative grade point average, appear on the school’s eligibility certificate form, and attend their current institution for one full calendar year.
Fior Reports
College Hosts Coastal Sciences Symposium
By Becca Roberts
The College of Coastal Georgia’s Department of Natural Sciences will host its 2022 Coastal Science Symposium on Friday to explore coastal and marine science research. The annual event brings together students, faculty, staff and community members and takes place on Friday from 9am to 12pm on the Braunschweig campus at the Stembler Theatre. Mandy Joye, who works with the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Georgia, will be this year’s keynote speaker. Joye is an expert in biogeochemistry and microbial ecology, working in open ocean and coastal ecosystems. Her work is interdisciplinary and combines the fields of chemistry, microbiology and geology. The symposium will also highlight the work of Coastal Georgia students who will present posters on their research and experiential learning in conservation biology, coastal ecology, geology and more.
accessWDUN
UNG Police Department gets new K-9 officer
By Austin Eller News Director
The University of North Georgia Police Department has a new member: K-9 Rex, a 2-year-old German Shepherd-Belgian Malinois mix. According to a release from UNG, Rex joined the police force in October. Rex’s partner, Officer Dustin Singleton, described the K-9 as “sweet, loves everyone and wants to work all the time.” UNG partnered with the Georgia Emergency Management Association to acquire Rex at no cost to the university. He will train with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 officers. His certification and ongoing certification will not cost UNG anything.
Times-Georgian
“Most Incredible Christmas” comes to UWG stage tonight
By Dan Minis
With Thanksgiving 2022 now a fond and food memory, thoughts now turn to Christmas with shopping, final touches on decorations, and he many events associated with the yuletide season. New to the local holiday scene this year is the presentation of the Ballet Magnificat’s “Most Incredible Christmas” tonight at 7 p.m. at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts on the University of West Georgia campus.
WFXL
ABAC opens admission free holiday concert to the community December 8
by Ty’Tierra Grant
Christmas cheer will abound on December 8, when students, faculty members, and community musicians join hands, hearts, and their vocal and instrumental abilities for a holiday concert at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. ABAC President Tracy Brundage says the 6:30 p.m. concert in Howard Auditorium will be open to the community with no admission fee.
Barnesville Dispatch
GSC Broadway In Barnesville Presents “A Christmas Carol” Adaptation
Karolina Philmon – Gordon State College
Gordon State College Humanities and Fine and Performing Arts continues with their theatrical season with an adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens at the Fine Arts Theatre on December 1st – 3rd at 6:30pm. On Sunday, December 4th, GSC dining services will host a community brunch in the Highlander Hall at 11:00am followed by an afternoon performance of “A Christmas Carol” at 2:00pm.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Celebrate the season with holiday music
By Jon Ross
Pack the holiday season with classical concerts.
…GSU Gala Concert
It’s the 25th time Georgia State University has brought together its student and faculty ensembles, perhaps with some special guests, in a celebration of the holidays. For this one performance, listeners will find a choir-heavy celebration that is “brimming with holiday cheer.”
3 p.m. Dec. 4. Rialto Center for the Arts
…Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra might be the busiest band this holiday season. In addition to its annual Christmas with the ASO concert (Dec. 15-18) at Symphony Hall — a chance to hear Atlanta Braves staple tenor Timothy Miller and the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir — the ASO and ASO Chorus are hitting the road this holiday season. Members of the ASO brass present their annual Cathedral of St. Philip concert, under the direction of Dale Adelmann, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5 (cathedralatl.org), and the orchestra and chorus are then in Athens on the campus of the University of Georgia for a special performance of Handel’s “Messiah” at 8 p.m. Dec. 21 at Hugh Hodgson Hall.
Grice Connect
Community help needed! 350 wishes left on Holiday Helper Tree; Ship by 12/2
by Whitney Lavoie
The Georgia Southern Holiday Helper Tree needs more elves! There are currently 350 unmet needs on the virtual tree. The deadline is this Friday, December 2, so community members are encouraged to choose a tag now and help the University grant the Christmas wishes of almost 800 individuals through more than 25 local social service agencies this year. The Holiday Helper Tree is the longest standing holiday tradition at Georgia Southern. At the tree lighting ceremony in November, Georgia Southern First Lady Jane Redding Marrero reminded those in attendance to count their blessings and remember the season of giving as they prepare to support this year’s tree.
WGAU Radio
Bulldog football jerseys get new life thanks to downtown business
By Erica Techo, UGA Today
It might be difficult to see on television or while attending a game in Sanford Stadium, but if you were to examine the University of Georgia’s football jerseys closely, you would see tokens from past games in the form of darned tears or re-stitched seams. These repairs tell the story of the Bulldogs’ season. They are a “memory map,” said Sanni Baumgaertner, the owner of Community, the downtown Athens business that performs weekly repairs on the jerseys.
Marietta Daily Journal
Report: Georgia Tech eyes Tulane’s Willlie Fritz
Field Level Media
Georgia Tech is closing in on making Tulane’s Willie Fritz its next head football coach, although a deal was not in place as of Sunday night according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Fritz, 62, would replace Geoff Collins, who was fired in September along with athletic director Todd Stansbury. Associate head coach Brent Key closed out Georgia Tech’s 5-7 season as the interim coach. New athletic director J Batt has been searching for the Yellow Jackets’ new coach since being hired last month. Fritz emerged as a strong candidate over the past few weeks, although ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Sunday night that the school still plans to interview additional candidates this week.
New York Post
By Genevieve Shaw Brown, Fox News
When Cory Lee’s Delta flight from Santiago, Chile, landed in Atlanta, Georgia, on Nov. 13, he was looking forward to deplaning after the long trip. The award-winning travel blogger, who is based in Georgia, was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at age 2 and has used a wheelchair for most of his life. That hasn’t stopped him from traveling all over the world. When he does, he is always the last to deboard the plane as he waits for his chair to arrive at the jet bridge … It was Lee’s request to wait for his wheelchair to be brought to the aircraft that angered the flight attendants, he said. … The interaction, captured on video and shared on Instagram, escalated when a flight attendant told him to exit the plane and wait for his wheelchair in the aisle chair — or the TSA would make Lee “get off the aircraft with all their guns and stuff.” … He is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and has a degree in marketing, he says in his blog.
WTOC
Researchers reveal impacts of Hurricane Ian on Tybee Island’s shoreline
By Mariah Congedo
A group with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography has been busy gathering data about the impact Hurricane Ian, had on Tybee Island’s shoreline. They mapped the shoreline before and after the storm. Since March of 2020, the group has gone out every three months to monitor Tybee’s beaches and their manmade dunes. They fly drones around to develop surface elevation maps for the island and compare them to previous months. After Hurricane Ian, they saw some significant changes.
MEAWW
Quinton Simon’s remains FOUND! FBI confirms bones discovered in landfill belong to missing toddler
This comes a week after mother Leilani Simon was arrested and charged with malice murder, concealing the death of another person and false reporting
By Meenakshi Sengupta
The body of Quinton Simon, the 20-month-old boy who was reported missing on October 5 by his mother, 22-year-old Leilani Simon, has been found. As reported earlier, Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley said police found remains at the landfill on November 18, but they were not identified and further testing was being conducted. But now, according to a statement from the FBI on Monday, November 28, it has been confirmed that the remains belong to the toddler, whose cause of death has not yet been determined. The FBI said, “On Monday, November 28th, authorities officially ceased operations at the landfill,” and thanked local police for the “monumental team effort,” management and workers at the landfill for opening their facilities to investigators and the forensic anthropologists from Georgia Southern University who helped in verifying potential human remains.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta has the highest income inequality in the nation, Census data shows
By Dylan Jackson
Many Black Atlantans have not benefited from city’s economic success.
Atlanta has the highest income inequality among large U.S. cities, according to recent data from the United States Census Bureau. …The city’s dubious ranking is based on a measure of income inequality, known as the Gini coefficient, used by economists and organizations across the globe. … The Gini coefficient measures how equally income is distributed among a population and is expressed in a decimal format ranging from zero to one. …Georgia Gwinnett College economics professor Jason Delaney says that the Gini index is a well-tested and widely-used metric among economists. But he notes there are some limitations. It does not account for different cost of living standards, nor does it account for the geographic distribution of wealth, he said. In Atlanta’s case, many middle class neighborhoods in Cobb, DeKalb and Stone Mountain are left out of the calculation.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
‘Paying for College Transparency Initiative’ Launched
By Scott Jaschik
The leaders of 10 national higher education associations have launched the Paying for College Transparency Initiative. Many colleges use substantially different terms to describe the aid they award to students. The initiative seeks to improve “clarity, accuracy, and consistency of student financial aid offers by producing a set of guiding principles and minimal standards to be used when developing aid offers.” The effort will be led by Peter McPherson, president emeritus of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. There is no timetable for the project, he said. The following are members of the task force:
…Mark Becker, president of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities …Robert Anderson, president of the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association
Inside Higher Ed
Group Issues Third Report on Admissions Fairness
By Scott Jaschik
Education Reform Now has released its third report on fairness in the admissions system. The focus of this report is transparency and accountability. The report says that, especially given that the U.S. Supreme Court is likely to bar affirmative action next year, “the U.S. Department of Education should expand its collection of admissions data and disaggregate that data by race, ethnicity, gender, and, when possible, socioeconomic status.”
See also:
The Washington Post
Can universities have equality in admissions and excellence, too?
This question has driven debates since the 1960s — with uneven gains
Inside Higher Ed
Should Fine Arts and Communications Qualify as STEM Degrees?
The U.S. government offers international graduates of STEM programs extended work visas. Now that some unconventional degrees qualify, some argue that the educational visa system is broken.
By Susan D’Agostino
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded opportunities for international students who have earned U.S. degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to extend their stays in the United States. The government maintains a list of qualifying fields to try to expand the number and diversity of individuals in the United States who contribute to competitive STEM fields. Many of the 22 new qualifying fields of study on the updated government list, including general forestry, cloud computing and geobiology, fall within conventional understanding of STEM fields. …Since colleges vary in the language they use to identify degree programs, they are welcome to align their course outcomes to DHS curriculum requirements and make the case that their degrees warrant inclusion on the STEM Designated Degree Program List.
Inside Higher Ed
Opinion
Concerned by the frequency in presidential transitions, Mark Putnam calls for a change in perspective.
By Mark Putnam
I am serving in my 13th year as the president of Central College in Pella, Iowa—my 40th year in higher education. While I certainly have presidential colleagues who have equaled or exceeded my years of leadership service, I have become increasingly concerned by the number of public and private institutions that have appointed as many as four presidents during the dozen years I have been in this role. My intent is not to argue that all college and university presidential appointments could or should be long-term. My concern is that the accelerating turnover rate across the postsecondary landscape is only breeding more turnover. When an institution becomes accustomed to frequent presidential transitions, commitment to sustained leadership erodes. Breaking that cycle requires a concerted effort.
Inside Higher Ed
U of Chicago, Cornell Law Schools Will Stay in ‘U.S. News’ Rankings
By Scott Jaschik
The law schools of the University of Chicago and Cornell University may not love the U.S. News & World Report rankings, but they aren’t walking away from them. University of Chicago dean Thomas J. Miles wrote to students that “my past practice has been to avoid direct, public comment on the U.S. News ranking. The ranking is not our guide, and I prefer to shine a light on the substantive attributes that make our Law School the home of the most intellectually ambitious faculty and the most powerful legal education. Most of the data we supply to U.S. News are already public, and the rest is information we have no reason to withhold.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Higher Ed Organizations Press for Dreamer Deal
Jon Edelman
As the lame duck session of Congress continues, educational organizations are lobbying for legislation to protect undocumented Americans who arrived in the country at young ages, known as Dreamers. Last week, a phalanx of nearly 70 higher ed groups, including the American Association of Colleges and Universities and the American Council on Education, sent a letter to Congressional leaders calling for a bipartisan agreement including a path to citizenship. This week, advocacy organizations are embarking on a week of action that includes a Nov. 29 social media storm, a Dec. 1 call-in day to representatives, and meetings among Dreamers, university leaders, and senators.
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Arkansas Legislation to Include Step-Children as “Dependents”
Arrman Kyaw
Legislation to include step-children under the umbrella of “dependent” has been introduced for the 2023 Arkansas Legislative Session, ABC7 reported. This would affect whether the stepchildren of certain veterans can get prioritized academic financial aid. Per current law, dependents of veterans who are disabled, prisoners of war, or missing, or killed in action are eligible for prioritized academic financial aid. And the definition of dependent includes biological and adopted children, but not step-children – many of whom are not officially adopted by stepparents. SB 3 – filed by Higher Education Subcommittee chair, Sen. Jane English, aims to close that gap.
Inside Higher Ed
1 Killed, 4 Shot at Florida A&M
By Scott Jaschik
One person was killed and four others were shot at Florida A&M University Sunday afternoon. The university identified the victims (including the man who was killed) as adult males and one juvenile. A statement on Twitter said that “based on initial reports,” it appears that none of the victims are Florida A&M students. …Police are looking for the shooter.