Douglas County Sentinel
UWG’s commitment to affordable learning saved students more than $40M
By Julie Lineback Special To Sentinel
A recent study conducted over a span of 11 years found that UWG saved students more than $40 million by intentionally offering more online tools and faculty making conscientious choices to select textbooks and materials with cost sensitivity in mind. It pays to Go West — and not just after your degree is in hand and you’ve launched your career. The University of West Georgia continues to close the equity and accessibility divide by providing free and low-cost learning resources and tools to bolster student success while eliminating barriers to higher education.
Savannah Business Journal
Georgia Southern receives more national recognition for student support programs
Savannah Business Journal Staff Report
Georgia Southern’s work to support students in their college journey is once again receiving national recognition. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Excellence Awards has included two of the University’s collaborative projects, The Eagle Experience and the Period Equity Movement, in its 2022-2023 list of winners. “It is a tremendous honor for Georgia Southern to be recognized in this way, highlighting these programs that impact our students,” said Vice President for Student Affairs Shay Little, Ph.D. “The collaborative partnerships across our institution that support the Period Equity Movement and The Eagle Experience are transforming the student experience.”
Albany Herald
Medical College of Georgia honors Phoebe Health System CEO
From staff reports
The president and CEO of the hospital that has long served as the primary educational partner for the Medical College of Georgia’s first regional campus, the Southwest Campus in Albany, and an MCG alumna who oversees nearly 600 residents and fellows in 50 residency programs at her alma mater and its primary teaching affiliate Augusta University Health have been honored by MCG Dean David Hess. Scott Steiner, who has led Phoebe Putney Health System since 2019, received the Community Advocacy Award, and Dr. Natasha Savage, a 2007 graduate who serves as senior associate dean of graduate medical education and designated institutional official, received the Professionalism Award at Hess’ State of the College Address.
Albany Herald
UGA faculty selected for land-grant system leadership program
From staff reports
Three University of Georgia faculty were chosen to participate in the 19th class of the LEAD21 program, a leadership program aimed at developing leaders in land-grant institutions and their strategic partners who link research, academics and extension for leadership roles at colleges and universities across the nation. Joining colleagues from around the country in the newest LEAD21 cohort are Mike Martin, director of county operations with UGA Cooperative Extension; Ashfaq Sial, associate professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Department of Entomology; and Ted Futris, UGA Extension family life specialist and Georgia Athletic Association Professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
WGAU Radio
UGA alum, crypto ATM founder, is tops in latest Bulldog 100
By Tim Bryant
Atlanta-based Bitcoin Depot is recognized as this year’s fastest-growing Georgia Bulldog business, an honor given to businesses owned or led by UGA alumni. Brandon Mintz, Terry College of Business Class of 2016, owns Bitcoin Depot, which is described as the world’s largest cryptocurrency ATM.
From Danielle Bezila, UGA Today…
The University of Georgia Alumni Association recognized the fastest-growing companies owned or led by UGA alumni during the 14th annual Bulldog 100 Celebration.
Morning AgClips
CAES research keeps Ga.’s ag industry on leading edge of innovation
UGA-CAES was responsible for $112.8 million, up $13.8 million from fiscal year 2021
The University of Georgia Office of Research recently announced a record-breaking fiscal year 2022 with more than a half billion dollars spent on research and development. The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) was responsible for $112.8 million of the total, up $13.8 million from fiscal year 2021 in overall money spent on research from all funding sources. These expenditures contribute to the college’s position as a global leader in agricultural and environmental sciences.
Clayton News-Daily
Pecan growers expect increased exports, profits as India reduces tariffs
By Emily Cabrera UGA/CAES
Georgia pecan growers are celebrating a huge win as India reduced tariffs on imported pecans by 70% last week following a decadeslong effort to open that market for the popular tree nut. Trade missions over the years have sought out viable market opportunities for pecans, which are native to the southeastern U.S. and northern Mexico, but with a historic 100% customs tax on pecans, the market was essentially closed to the global pecan industry — until now. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, along with Bob Redding of the National Pecan Federation, state and federal representatives, and grower associations worked with trade negotiators and Indian government officials to finally secure this monumental opportunity as of Feb. 1. Jeff Worn, president and chief executive officer at South Georgia Pecan Company, explained that while this is a huge success for the pecan industry, getting the tariffs decreased is just the first step. …“China had been a significant buyer of pecans globally, buying between 70 to 80% of Georgia pecans directly,” Lenny Wells, a University of Georgia Cooperative Extension pecan specialist and horticulture professor in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, said. “When the trade wars started in 2018 between the U.S. and China, our growers had to reabsorb those exports and move their product to the domestic market.”
WTOC
Political science professor discusses 2024 presidential election as more candidates enter the race
By Hayley Boland
While it’s only the second month of 2023, some politicians are already setting their sights on the 2024 presidential election. Just this week, former South Carolina governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley announced her run for the Republican nomination. She joins former president Donald Trump in the candidate pool now. Dr. Kimberly Martin, an assistant professor of political science at Georgia Southern University, says choosing to enter the presidential race this early on is all a part of strategy.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opinion: Divisive concepts law doesn’t stop honest teaching of history
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
Jim Garrett is a professor of social studies education at the University of Georgia. Before earning his doctorate at Michigan State University, he taught high school social studies. In a guest column, Garrett advises teachers to understand what Georgia’s divisive concepts law does and doesn’t dictate. Signed into law last year, House Bill 1084, dubbed the “Protect Students First Act,” prohibits the teaching of nine concepts Republicans consider divisive.
WTOC
Green Road Concert hosted by Georgia Southern’s Center for Irish Research and Teaching
By WTOC Staff
Georgia Southern’s Center for Irish Research and Teaching is hosting a special concert next month.
Independent.IE
Wexford County Council provide update on Adoration Convent student accommodation plan
Padraig Byrne
IT’S now over three years since the Adoration Sisters packed up their belongings and left the large convent building which had been home to the order for nearly 150 years. Despite some small surveying work, the imposing building next to Bride Street Church seems to have remained almost untouched in that period. This is despite major plans to convert the historic building into accommodation for students travelling to Ireland from Georgia Southern University to study at the American university’s European campus, situated in the old County Hall buildings in Wexford town.
The Georgia Virtue
Gretsch School of Music Hosts Fmr ‘Australia’s Got Talent’ Winner in Concert on March 22
Georgia Southern University College of Arts and Humanities and the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music will host guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter Joe Robinson in concert on March 22 on the Armstrong Campus in Savannah.
WJCL
Clothesline Project on display at Georgia Southern University
Project is part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week
Dave Williams, Reporter
A powerful exhibit with a powerful message this week at Georgia Southern University. As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Week, the Clothesline Project will be on display at the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses. The project features T-shirts with written messages from various victims of assault with each color representing a different type of assault.
WSAV
Savannah bar honors Jimmy Carter’s legacy
Pinkie Masters is a bar that still loved by so many. This place holds many stories of former president Carter including his famous speech when he stood on top of the bar counter unofficially announcing his run for the presidency. One of Carter’s visits is immortalized on the wall of Pinkies to this day. Back in the 1950s, Luis Christopher Masterpolis — Also known as Pinkie—opened up the establishment. He was a lover of politics and built a relationship with Carter when he would stop in while on campaign tours for senator and governor. Shortly after Pinkie passed away in 1978. After Carter was elected president – Carter climbed up onto the bar once again. This time, he made a speech to offer a few words of remembrance. Carter shared what his relationship with Pinkie meant to him during a 2013 interview at Georgia Southern University.
Albany Herald
Tift County Chamber honors former Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College coach Norman ‘Red’ Hill
From staff reports
Norman “Red” Hill, the former men’s tennis coach and athletic director at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, was honored with the Stafford Award by the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce at the chamber’s recent awards banquet. The Stafford Award recognizes outstanding contributions in business leadership and economic development. Hill, who retired from ABAC as the winningest coach in the history of collegiate tennis, has served on the Tift County Development Authority for nearly 20 years.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech’s Jake DeLeo named national player of week after 3-homer weekend
By Ken Sugiura
Georgia Tech outfielder Jake DeLeo was named national player of the week by the publication Collegiate Baseball on Monday after hitting three home runs and batting .417 as the Yellow Jackets swept three home games from Miami (Ohio) on the opening weekend of the baseball season.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ga. Senate leaders back $32.5 billion state budget with property tax break
By James Salzer
Georgia Senate budget-writers on Tuesday backed Gov. Brian Kemp’s plan to provide a property tax cut of about $1 billion as part of the state’s midyear spending plan. The Georgia House could this week approve another $1 billion income tax rebate that Kemp has proposed, a measure expected to quickly pass the Senate as well. …The Senate added money to give 54,000 state government pensioners one-time bonuses of around $500. State government pensioners got their first cost-of-living increase in more than a decade last year, although lawmakers have offered bonus checks some years. …The House is currently working on its version of the 2024 budget.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Nearly 47,000 Have Been in Loan Repayment for 40 Years
By Scott Jaschik
Nearly 47,000 people have been in student loan repayment for at least 40 years, The Washington Post reported. The finding was based on data obtained from the Education Department through a Freedom of Information Act request. About 82 percent of the nearly 47,000 are in default on their loans. The borrowers are a fraction of the 43.5 million Americans with student debt. But many experts say they represent an indictment of the student loan system.
Inside Higher Ed
‘Systemic’ Disappeared From AP African American Studies
By Scott Jaschik
Drafts of the Advanced Placement course in African American Studies featured the word “systemic” with regard to “marginalization,” as well as with the words “discrimination,” “oppression,” “inequality,” “disempowerment” and “racism.” All of those references were removed from the version of the course released by the College Board this month, The Washington Post reported. The College Board has denied changing the course to appeal to Republican governor Ron DeSantis of Florida.
Inside Higher Ed
OPINION
Be a Gate Opener, Not a Gatekeeper
We teach students the rules for applying to grad school—but what if we committed, equally, to rewriting the rules that have historically excluded many students, Michael A. Hunt asks.
Michael A. Hunt (director of the McNair Scholars program and a student in the Language, Literacy & Culture doctoral program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County)
Graduate pipeline programs were created to level the playing field by providing students from historically excluded populations with the resources to be competitive in pursuing their graduate degrees. In programs such as the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, established in 1986 and as necessary today as ever, we mentor students in submission, accepting the ways higher education operates instead of demanding and creating a genuinely inclusive community. Our current practices (and the failure to call out such practices) do not honor the full humanity and experiences of our students, which makes the messages we share of their worth hypocritical. Recently, those of us who serve as McNair Scholars directors around the nation were informed that some faculty members become frustrated when participating students don’t send a thank-you note (or email) after spending time with them. Faculty members are often gatekeepers to our scholars’ entrance and success in graduate school. The thought that something so trivial as a thank-you note could prevent one of our students from being considered for admission or funding opportunities is inexcusable and burdens our scholars with one more rule to follow.