The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
House, Senate leaders reach deal on budget with raises for 250,000
By James Salzer
Budget negotiators Wednesday agreed on a $32.4 billion budget for the upcoming year that would give state law enforcement $4,000-$6,000 raises while teachers and other state and university employees would receive a $2,000 salary boost. The final deal – which will be voted on later Wednesday, the 40th and final day of the 2023 session – would cut $66 million from Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposal for University System of Georgia spending. That is a little more than half the same amount Kemp and lawmakers recently approved for a new electronic medical records system for the Medical College of Georgia, part of Augusta University. Wellstar Health System is negotiating a partnership with AU Health System and could possibly take it over. Senate leaders have raised questions about the cost of the medical records system. Wellstar has also been a vocal critic of the Senate’s push to make it easier for new hospitals to be built in Georgia.
SaportaReport
Hospital standoff in General Assembly contrasts with progress in North Carolina
Tom Baxter
A test of wills involving some of the state’s most powerful figures briefly threatened to derail this year’s General Assembly session last week. It was a brief storm, but it made a stark contrast with what our neighbors in North Carolina were doing. In an op-ed published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Saturday, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones threw in the towel on Senate Bill 99, that would have changed the rules for hospital permitting and according to some critics would have advantaged Jones’ father, who owns property at a possible hospital location in Jackson County. SB 99 was strongly opposed by Wellstar Health System, which owns a Butts County facility which would be in competition with the facility for which Jones sought permission. Wellstar also wants to take over the Augusta University hospital system, and that in turn drew University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue into the broadening conflict.
The Brunswick News
Legislators eye budget as GA comes to an end
By HANK ROWLAND
Coastal legislators are keeping their fingers crossed that funding for an expanded health science and nursing program at College of Coastal Georgia survives the state budgeting process. Although the initial $1.4 million is in both House and Senate budgets, Georgia’s proposed spending plan for fiscal year 2024 is in the hands of a conference committee. The committee is charged with the task of ironing out the differences between the two budgets. State Reps. Rick Townsend, R-St. Simons Island, and Steven Sainz, R-St. Marys, are monitoring the process. …The project is the offspring of a partnership between Southeast Georgia Health System and College of Coastal Georgia.
BioSpace
The distinction recognizes faculty who have demonstrated success in translating research into a commercial setting
Aruna Bio, Inc., a leader in the development of neural exosome-based therapeutics for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that the Company’s Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Steven Stice, has been named one of the first recipients of Entrepreneur Distinction from The University System of Georgia Board of Regents. The distinction recognizes faculty who have demonstrated success in translating research into a commercial setting.
The Monticello News
‘Granny Hill’ Celebrates 106 Years
Kathy Mudd
Granny Hill, as Julia Jones Hill is affectionately called by many of her family members, celebrated her 106th birthday Sunday. Yes, I said 106. I know she looks to be way younger than that…she sounds and acts way younger too! …Mrs. Hill attended Georgia State College for Women, now Georgia College & State University, receiving a teaching certificate.
Athens CEO
Blank Foundation Commits $1M to UGA Fontaine Center
Clarke Schwabe
The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation awarded a grant of $1 million to the University of Georgia this month to support the university’s Fontaine Center. The Fontaine Center offers programs focused on prevention, early intervention and recovery support for issues related to alcohol and other drugs as well as programs related to relationships and sexual violence prevention and advocacy. The center is a critical part of UGA’s efforts to promote student well-being.
WGAU Radio
St. Mary’s says Augusta U-UGA Medical Partnership has filled IMRP openings
By Tim Bryant
St. Mary’s Hospital and the Augusta University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership say they have again filled all openings in their joint Internal Medicine Residency Program. For the eighth year in a row, the IMRP is bringing a dozen new graduate physicians to northeast Georgia to complete the final stage in their required medical training.
Statesboro Herald
Project archives papers of late Sen. Jack Hill
GS grad student offers presentation to Historical Society
JIM HEALY/staff
When Georgia Southern University graduate student Kim Liebl started working on her Masters project in organizing the archival papers of Jack Hill, she knew very little about the late state senator. She said she discovered quickly why he was widely beloved and respected. “His dedication to his district and his constituents stood out,” she said. “You don’t see that anymore. He’s definitely the last of his kind.” Liebl gave a presentation – “Senator Jack Hill: 30 years of life in Georgia Politics” – Monday of her research about Hill’s life at the March meeting of the Bulloch County Historical Society to about 100 people in the social hall of Pittman Park United Methodist Church. A native of Guyton, Liebl received her Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Georgia Southern and will earn a Masters degree in history, with a concentration in public history, in May.
WGXA
Poverty simulation aimed to develop empathy for others
by Gloria Ruth Finney
Georgia College and State University students got a first-hand look at what it’s like to live in poverty through the Community Action Poverty Simulation. The simulation replicated the conditions of poverty; giving participants a hint of what it’s like to face a multitude of everyday hardships, and shedding light on what it’s like for those struggling just to get by. “Many of our students are from affluent families that have not ever had exposure to poverty,” said the Dean of Georgia College’s School of Health and Human Performance, Dr. Sheri Noviello. She explained the poverty simulation gives a glimpse of the frustration and anxiety experienced by those in poverty daily.
Times-Georgian
By Colton Campbell Special To The Times Georgian
The University of West Georgia’s impact does not end at its campus’ borders. Rather, its influence extends far beyond western Georgia, touching the lives of countless alumni, industries and communities. It’s that “live impact” that was celebrated — and advanced — Saturday night during the 2023 Presidential Black Tie Gala, during which more than 350 members of the UWG community raised more than $200,000 (a new record) to support outcomes for students.
WTOC
Welcome center unveils Georgia Southern eagles statue
By Dal Cannady
An art project in Statesboro is flying high once again. The Eagle Nation on Parade project has Eagle statues commissioned from around the community. The latest will be outside the Visit Statesboro Welcome Center. They’re designed and painted by Georgia Southern art students. Proceeds from each go to scholarships in the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Savannah CEO
Delana Gajdosik-Nivens, Ph.D of Georgia Southern University on Students Focusing on Sustainability
Delana Gajdosik-Nivens, Ph.D of Georgia Southern University talks about the trend of more students engaging in science programs at the college. The college has responded to this rising passion by delivering curriculum that focuses on having a healthier environment.
Independent.ie
Americans go wild for Wexford band Green Road
David Looby
During their whistle-stop tour of America, Wexford band Green Road flew into Boston following a concert in the Fine Arts Auditorium of Georgia Southern University in Savannah to an audience of 600 people. This concert was in aid of bursaries for students in Georgia to attend the Georgia Southern Campus the Wexford. 600 people attended the concert…
Everything Urban
By Dr. Eunice Moseley
*“The honor came through the University of Georgia (UGA). I had to be nominated,” Soprano opera singer Angela Brown said about the Delta Visiting Chair for Global Understanding experience courtesy of the Delta Air Lines Foundation. “I didn’t know about it. I was told a doctorate student was inspired by me…wanted to get me to perform but couldn’t afford it.” So, her admirer nominated her for this Chair residency honor. The Visiting Chair position was established through the Delta Air Lines Foundation by the Wilson Center at UGA. The first honoree was Alice Walker in 2015.
MedicalXpress
Study finds healthier foods can be made more appealing online with a few simple steps
by Erica Techo, University of Georgia
A recent study from the College of Family and Consumer Sciences found that all food photos are not created equal. While sugary treats or fully loaded burgers have a quick appeal, healthier food options may need a little extra help in front of the camera. For unhealthy foods, not as much effort is needed in photos. The foods earn likes and comments on their own, said Yilang Peng, an assistant professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Farm & Ranch Guide
Cattle industry studies refugia to keep brown stomach worms away
Andrea Johnson
Beef cow/calf producers can use a page from corn production to help keep parasites, like brown stomach worms, at bay. Corn growers use a refuge when they plant Bt insect-protected seed corn along with non-traited seed corn. That slows the development of corn rootworm Bt-resistance. Cattle producers can also use a refuge as one of four steps to help dewormers (anthelmintics) remain effective. Where there’s cows, pasture, and manure in the northern U.S., there’s likely to be brown stomach worms trying to survive and thrive. Their resistance to dewormers may outpace the development of new cattle dewormers, so a well-rounded management program is needed. …As parasites continue to evolve and become resistant to dewormers, adhering to deworming best management practices will be more important than ever, said Dr. Ray Kaplan, DVM, University of Georgia.
Middle Georgia CEO
Middle Georgia State University Hosting Arts Festival Events March 27th – April 14th
Staff Report
In a return visit to Macon, American writer and musician Joy Harjo, a member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the 23rd U.S. poet laureate, will be among the headliners of the 2023 Arts Festival hosted by Middle Georgia State University’s School of Arts & Letters. The free festival takes place March 27-April 14. …The festival will explore the richness and deep roots of Native American arts and culture in the South, particularly in the Middle Georgia region, home to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Most festival events will take place on the University’s Macon Campus and are free and open to the public. The headline events are sponsored by the Middle Georgia State (MGA) School of Arts & Letters, with generous support from Georgia Humanities Council, and from the Georgia Council for the Arts. Additional support comes from the MGA Foundation, the Office of Student Affairs, and the Honors Program.
WTOC
Georgia Southern University hosts Inaugural Human Optimization Summit
By WTOC Staff
The Inaugural Human Optimization Summit was held earlier Friday. It was hosted by Nancy Henderson, who’s the director of Georgia Southern’s Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program. The two-day conference offers educational sessions for both soldiers and their providers. The focus is to improve physical and mental readiness for soldiers.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Annalise Wood becomes Georgia Gwinnett College softball’s first NAIA National Player of the Week
From Staff Reports
Sophomore Annalise Wood keeps making history as a Georgia Gwinnett College softball pitcher, becoming the program’s first player to earn NAIA National Player of the Week honors. Wood was named the national Pitcher of the Week after tossing a pair of two-hit shutouts against Lindsey Wilson College (Kentucky) last weekend. The right hander struck out 15 batters and did not allow a Blue Raiders base runner to advance past first base in last Friday’s 2-0 victory.
Georgia Entertainment News
esports at Columbus State cultivates competition, confidence for student-gamers
By Staff
If you get Dr. Sharon Welburn talking about team dynamics, scouting competitors, watching national rankings and preparing for upcoming competitions, you’d be quick to ask her which of Columbus State University’s 13 NCAA Division II sports teams she coaches. The answer? None. She’s a gamer—a video gamer. And she’s not worried with baseballs, softballs, basketballs or the like. Her equipment includes monitors and controllers, and online games like League of Legends and Overwatch. Since 2019, the self-proclaimed gamer has been coaching Columbus State’s Esports Program—which has grown from 10 students on its original 2019 team of student-gamers and support personnel now numbering more than 50.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Spring Enrollment Steady, but Not for All Institutions
Preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse show flat enrollment across all sectors of higher education. Enrollment rises at community colleges and in certificate programs, while bachelor’s-degree-seeking students dip.
By Jaime Adame
Rising numbers of community college students kept total enrollment across all sectors of higher education flat this spring despite a decline in the largest category of institutions by share of enrollment: public four-year universities. Data released today by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center come after enrollment declines at colleges and universities across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. The preliminary data offer a peek at spring 2023 enrollment compared to spring 2022. In fall 2022, the undergraduate enrollment decline slowed to 0.6 percent, according to Clearinghouse data, and, over all, “I think stabilization is still pretty much where we are,” said Doug Shapiro, executive director of the organization’s research center.
Higher Ed Dive
If race-conscious admissions end, selective colleges would struggle to create diverse classes
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
Selective colleges would struggle to create diverse student bodies if they could not consider race as an admissions factor, according to new modeling from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. Georgetown CEW studied six scenarios. In four of them, colleges were not allowed to employ race-conscious admissions, which the U.S. Supreme Court is widely expected to restrict use of when it rules later this year in cases challenging the practice. In these CEW examples, colleges were extremely unlikely to put together a pool of admitted students that match the demographics of the nation’s graduating high school class. The center did not incorporate preferences toward athletes or legacy admissions in its analysis. But it noted these two practices benefit White, wealthy applicants and should selective colleges continue them, their classes would be even less diverse.
Inside Higher Ed
Another small, private institution falls to financial pressures, which officials blame partly on the Iowa governor’s denial of their request for COVID-19 relief funds.
By Josh Moody
Iowa Wesleyan University is closing, citing rising costs, shifting enrollment trends, declining fundraising and the governor’s rejection of a proposal for federal COVID-19 relief funds. The 181-year-old private university made the announcement Tuesday, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Trustees to cease operations at the end of the current academic year. Though a university press release noted the challenging “headwinds” facing many institutions, IWU officials have suggested the closure could have been avoided if Governor Kim Reynolds had approved the university’s request for $12 million from the funds given to the state as part of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
Higher Ed Dive
First PhD program at a tribal college launches
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
Navajo Technical University, in New Mexico, said it has become the first tribal institution to offer an accredited doctoral degree in the U.S. The public land-grant university announced earlier this month it will start a doctoral program on the culture and language of the Navajo people. The institution is calling it a degree in Diné, a Navajo word meaning “the people.” Navajo Tech has already started accepting students for the program’s inaugural cohort for fall 2023.