Griffin Daily News
Gordon State College president prepares to end five-year tenure
By GDN STAFF
Gordon State College President Dr. Kirk A. Nooks announced his departure after five years in his current role. Nooks will serve as the president and chief executive officer of the Council on Occupational Education. Nooks will conclude his term May 19, after his final commencement ceremony. Dr. Donald Green has been approved as the interim president following Nooks’ departure. A farewell reception will be held at 3 p.m. May 15 at the Barnesville campus.
WALB
New Ga. law to repay nurses’ student loans aims to help nursing shortage
By Alicia Lewis
Georgia currently has a very high demand for nurses. According to state leaders, the state is currently experiencing a severe shortage. The shortage is impacting not just current nurses, but also people that rely on nurses. …Healthcare workers around the state are celebrating a new law that could help keep nurses in the state. A new law will help certain nurses and instructors repay college loans. The bill states that nursing facility members with at least a master’s degree in nursing are eligible. This incentive is their way to keep nursing instructors keep teaching instead of leaving the profession. The bill also states that those already employed for at least a year in a nursing program at a University System of Georgia or a Technical College System of Georgia can get up to $100,000 in student loan repayments over the course of five years.
WGAU Radio
UGA study: high schoolers think college is out of reach
By Leigh Beeson, UGA Today
About 85% of high school juniors want to go to college, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. But one in six think that’s not a possibility for them. Published in the journal Educational Policy, the study found that students with lower grades wanted to go to college but were less likely to believe they could attain a bachelor’s degree, as were those attending public high schools. Students from low-income families were also less likely to believe they could go to college, even though they desired higher education. Male and Hispanic students were particularly likely to want to go to college but not expect to actually attend.
Americus Times-Recorder
GSW hosts first-ever Hurricane Pitch competition for student entrepreneurs
From Staff Reports
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) hosted its first-ever Hurricane Pitch competition on Wednesday, April 19 for entrepreneurial students with dreams of starting their own small businesses in the communities they call home. Kameisha Smith of Albany, GA., a sophomore online pre-marketing major with an entrepreneurship certificate, took home the grand prize of $7,500, which she will use to get her small business off the ground. The Vessel, a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for marketing, will guide clients from start to finish with custom branding, web design, photography and other services to help create a cohesive brand for their business
Athens CEO
Nominations Now Open for New Youth LEAD Georgia Leadership Program
Charlie Bauder
A new University of Georgia-run statewide youth leadership program is now accepting nominations for its inaugural class. In January, UGA received a $1.5 million pledge from Chick-fil-A, Inc. to support the development of Youth LEAD Georgia, a new UGA-led statewide youth leadership program, as well as an annual youth leadership summit at UGA. Rising 10th and 11th grade students will be eligible to participate in the inaugural Youth LEAD Georgia program, which will run from January to November 2024. The UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, a unit of Public Service and Outreach, will create and implement both Youth LEAD Georgia and the annual summit at UGA. In addition, the UGA Fanning Institute will partner with youth leadership development organizations from around Georgia for student recruitment and program delivery.
Grice Connect
Georgia Southern clinic to remove barriers to Parkinson’s speech therapy in Georgia
The RiteCare Center for Communication Disorders at Georgia Southern University is teaming up with a Texas nonprofit clinic to help all Georgians with Parkinson’s Disease have access to high-quality speech treatment. Parkinson Voice Project, a clinic committed to helping people with Parkinson’s regain and retain their speech and swallowing, is awarding the RiteCare Center a grant worth more than $280,000 in training, services, supplies and equipment over five years.
Athens CEO
UGA Provides Leadership, Business Blueprint for Local Entrepreneurs
Charlie Bauder
Freddie Gavin had the dream of building out a multimedia recording studio in McDuffie County and, with the assistance of the University of Georgia, his dream is moving closer to reality. Gavin is among nine aspiring business owners to graduate from the inaugural Thomson-McDuffie Entrepreneurial Leadership Academy. He is currently working to expand his multimedia business, The Music Cave, into a full-service recording studio in downtown Thomson. “I had this idea, but I never knew what it took to make it happen,” Gavin said. “Through this program, UGA gave me a blueprint for how to successfully run a business, move it forward, and lead my team.” The UGA J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development developed the program in partnership with the UGA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for Thomson-McDuffie County, a UGA Archway Partnership community.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Advocates, kin hopeful for new Alzheimer’s drugs; others urge caution
By Shelia Poole
For Georgians living with early stage Alzheimer’s, hope has turned once again to a new drug being touted as a game-changer. Eli Lilly and Co. recently announced it planned to seek regulatory approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for donanemab, which it says appears to slow the progression of the degenerative disease for people in the early stages. In 18-month trials, patients who received infusions of donanemab showed 35% less decline in cognitive skills compared to those given a placebo, according to a press release from Lilly. …And while there is hope for donanemab and other potential drugs, some also want to see additional research. Among them is Lisa Renzi-Hammond, director of the Institute of Gerontology at the University of Georgia. While it’s important, she said, to be able to utilize these faster-approval pathways for people who are suffering from the disease now. “It’s also important to continue research on the drugs to protect future patients and allow them to make more informed decisions.”
Techinkers
Blockchain, a potential solution to combat fraud in online advertising
By Informers
The size and complexity of the advertising ecosystem means there are always bad actors that advertisers and publishers can’t track effectively, and consumers worry about their personal information. A recent study conducted by the University of Georgia shows how blockchain technology can fight ad fraud and protect users from invasive and predatory ads.
Study International
Public health degrees cracking the mysteries of a post-pandemic society
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light both strengths and gaps within the healthcare system and the preparedness of nations during a public health crisis. From testings to vaccinations, we have witnessed and experienced how the healthcare industry has rallied together to meet the public health needs of communities. As the industry recovers and advances, public health jobs are expected to grow by 13% from 2021 to 2031, according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics. Graduates well-equipped with the knowledge, skills and mindset to improve the health and well-being of their communities are set to make the most of many career opportunities available. …Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern University’s mission to address health inequities in rural communities and underserved populations began in 1998 in the Department of Health and Kinesiology within the College of Health and Professional Studies. It was during this time when the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-accredited Master of Public Health (MPH) programme was developed. Now known as the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health (JPHCOPH), it is home to 42 faculty and nearly 500 students across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. MPH students learn in a tight-knit community passionate about improving the health of those in their communities. …Here, postgraduate students will learn from both faculty members and peers in a student-centered and supportive environment.
Albany Herald
State Ag Department helps cultivate mental health care
From staff reports
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Public Health, and Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities are working together to promote resources for mental health and self-care. …Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, GDA began developing mental health resources to share with Georgia’s agricultural community and has continued to do so with a grant received from USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture to promote farmer stress and outreach in the state. The Farmer Ranch Stress Assistance Network, State Departments of Agriculture project is focusing on a “Georgia Healthy Farmer Mindset” that is taking a holistic approach to addressing stress and mental health challenges to the farming community. This is a collaborative initiative with project partners including GDA, The University of Georgia, …
Americus Times-Recorder
Georgia Southwestern presents annual Hail Storm
From Staff Reports
Everyone is welcomed to join Georgia Southwestern State University on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Wolf Creek Plantation as the Georgia Southwestern State University Athletics Department holds its fourth Annual Hail Storm. Golf balls may be purchased in advance for $100 each. Closest to the target takes home the first prize of $25,000. Second closest gets $10,000 and the balls coming in third through ninth win $1,000 each. There’s even a $1,000 prize for the ball that rests farthest away.*
Barrow News-Journal
2023 Georgia Governor’s Honor Program finalists honored by BOE
Winder-Barrow High School students Jason Bradshaw and Henry Campbell were recognized at the May 2 Board of Education meeting after being selected to attend the Georgia Governor’s Honor Program (GHP) during the 2023 summer at Georgia Southern University. GHP is a residential summer program for skilled, knowledgeable and talented high school sophomores and juniors. GHP provides students with academic, cultural and social enrichment necessary to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators and leaders.
Americus Times-Recorder
Hurricanes advance to championship round with win over Columbus State
By Ken Gustafson
From Staff Reports
The Georgia Southwestern baseball team extended its winning streak to six games by defeating Columbus State for the second time 6-4 in the winner’s bracket game of the Peach Belt Conference Double Elimination Baseball tournament.
WTVM
15 Harris Co. High School seniors sign commitment letters for Georgia Future Educator’s Day
By Jessie Gibson
The Harris County School District celebrated during their Georgia Future Educator’s Signing Day. This event is held for graduating seniors who have completed the pathway for “teaching as a profession” – or TAP – or who are interested in a future as an educator. 15 students signed a letter of commitment to pursue a degree in education and, in turn, committing to improve the quality of education for students in Georgia. This endeavor is supported by the Georgia State School Superintendent’s Office, the Georgia Department of Education’s Division of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE), Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation (GECEF), and Georgia’s colleges and universities.
Athens Banner-Herald
Is the national champion Georgia football team going to the White House? We have an answer
Marc Weiszer
The White House will be hosting two teams that just won college national championships this month, but it won’t be Georgia football. The Bulldogs team that won the national championship in January isn’t going to Washington after all even though an invitation was extended. So the reigning college football national champions once again will miss out on a trip to the White House. Just like the 2021 Bulldogs team that ended a 41-year title drought. …So what’s keeping Georgia from going? Timing more than anything.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: Republicans applaud Bulldogs’ White House rebuff
By Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell
How did key Republicans react to the news that the University of Georgia football team rejected an invitation from President Joe Biden to celebrate the Bulldogs’ national championship at the White House? By spiking the football. “I don’t blame them. Go Dawgs,” tweeted U.S. Rep. Mike Collins who represents Athens. “Go Dawgs!” was the response from former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler. …The team was among the champions from the 2022-2023 invited to visit the White House on June 12 for a “College Athlete Day.” But the UGA athletic association said in a statement that the date “is not feasible given the student-athlete calendar and time of year.”
Fox5 Atlanta
Atlanta pays settlement to photojournalist arrested during George Floyd protests
By Claire Simms and FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
The City of Atlanta will pay more than $100,000 in a settlement to a photojournalist arrested during the Black Lives Matter protest in 2020. On June 1, photojournalist Sharif Hassan was photographing the protests in Downtown Atlanta over the death of George Floyd by police officers a few days before in Minneapolis. While taking photos of Atlanta police officers making an arrest, his attorneys say he was forced to the ground and handcuffed due to the city’s 9 p.m. curfew. Despite identifying himself as a journalist to officers and other officers being allowed to work nearby, he was taken into custody and put in jail overnight. “He was very clear from the get-go that he was a journalist, and he was acting as a journalist, and he was filming at the time of his arrest,” said Gerry Weber, a civil rights lawyer who represented Hassan. According to his attorneys, Hassan was held in jail overnight, and it took six months before prosecutors dropped the charges for “evidentiary reasons.” Working with the University of Georgia School of Law’s First Amendment Clinic and civil rights attorneys Gerald Weber and L. Burton Finlayson, Hassan sued the city on First Amendment grounds.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA player’s father, estate seek $40 million in lawsuit over fatal crash
By Alan Judd, Dylan Jackson
The University of Georgia’s athletic department should be held liable for a January car crash that killed a UGA football player and recruiting analyst, a new lawsuit filed by the player’s father and estate claims. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Gwinnett County, also assigns blame for the crash to former Georgia defensive star Jalen Carter and to Chandler LeCroy, the recruiting analyst who died in the crash along with offensive lineman Devin Willock. The lawsuit also names the owner of an Athens strip club, Toppers International Showbar, where Carter, LeCroy and others with the football program had gathered before the crash.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another Georgia Bulldogs football player arrested
By Chip Towers, Alan Judd
Wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette was arrested Monday in Oconee County
Georgia wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette was arrested Monday morning in Oconee County and charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving too fast for conditions, following too closely and Class D driver’s license restrictions. The charges were the result of a 3:30 a.m. accident on Georgia Highway 316, according to Oconee County Sheriff James Hale. Morrissette was determined to be the at-fault driver, Hale said. According to the police report, Morrissette was driving a gray Charger and hit a white Subaru from behind. The report states witnesses to the accident said that the Charger passed their vehicle from the right lane at a high rate of speed and struck the Subaru.
Higher Education News:
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
The University of Houston College of Nursing Receives $20 Million to Support Nursing Workforce
Arrman Kyaw
The University of Houston (UH) has received $20 million from UH alumnus and longstanding benefactors Andy Gessner and his wife Barbara to support the nursing workforce amid a significant labor shortage. …The gift to the UH College of Nursing is meant to strengthen nursing education and research, fund scholarships and fellowships, and increase the nurse workforce. It will create three endowed professorships – two will be matched one-to-one as part of the UH’s “$100 Million Challenge.” And additional endowments funded by the gift will go towards research, nursing education and clinical learning, scholarships, graduate student fellowships, adjunct faculty support, and marketing and communications for the nursing school.
Inside Higher Ed
New College of Florida to Accept SAT/ACT Alternative
By Scott Jaschik
The New College of Florida announced that it will begin accepting the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the SAT and ACT for students applying for admission for the fall 2024 term, pending a bill becoming law. New College is the first public college in Florida to accept the CLT. It will also continue to accept the SAT and ACT for admissions consideration. “As New College strives to become a world-class liberal arts educational institution, adding the CLT as an accepted testing option for admissions will ensure we are reaching and welcoming students from all walks of life,” said New College interim president Richard Corcoran. …The Classic Learning Test, like the other tests, evaluates English, grammar and mathematical skills. But it uses classic literature and historical texts for the reading section of the exams.
Higher Ed Dive
Minnesota could make college free for families earning under $80K
Laura Spitalniak, Associate Editor
Dive Brief:
Minnesota legislators will consider a program to make college tuition free for families earning less than $80,000 a year. State Sen. Omar Fateh and Rep. Gene Pelowski Jr., both Democrats, introduced the proposal, known as the North Star Promise program, in a wide-ranging higher education spending plan Monday night. If the program is approved, qualifying students would receive a scholarship to cover tuition and fees, minus their other grants and scholarships, beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year. Additional funds may be awarded to students if allocated money is left over.
Inside Higher Ed
Seeking Payment for Social Work Internships
Students at 30 institutions are asking for compensation for their internships, arguing that the unpaid work causes distress and even prevents some from finishing their degrees.
By Johanna Alonso
…Field placements have long been unpaid, much like their analogues in the world of education (student teaching) and nursing (clinical rotations). But students like Wagner are hoping to change that. Through a national movement called Payment for Placements (P4P), social work students at 30 universities have been pushing for compensation for their internships. The assorted campus chapters are exploring a wealth of ways to achieve that goal—primarily through their institutions or legislation, as the organizations where the students work are often underfunded themselves. A central goal of paid placements is to help students pay their bills, making it easier to complete their degrees and enter the social work field, which is currently experiencing dire shortages. Multiple student activists who spoke with Inside Higher Ed said they had witnessed their fellow students drop out due to financial issues or stress.
Inside Higher Ed
New Approach to Stopping Sexual Violence: Academic Minute
By Doug Lederman
Today on the Academic Minute: Chris Linder, associate professor of higher education and director of the McCluskey Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education at the University of Utah, explains why we should focus more on preventing sexual assault than avoiding it.
Higher Ed Dive
Title IX audit: Hesston College pressured sexual assault survivors to forgive alleged abusers
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
Officials at a small Mennonite college in Kansas pressured sexual assault survivors to forgive their alleged abusers and generally mismanaged reports of sexual violence, according to a recent audit conducted by law firm Cozen O’Connor. The review that Hesston College initiated late last year revealed systemic failings on the college’s part. The audit involved interviews with more than 50 students, alumni, employees and others. After its release last month, college leaders pledged to revamp their sexual violence reporting procedures and train employees in Title IX, the federal law banning sex-based discrimination, including rape, in federally funded schools.
Higher Ed Dive
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
Florida’s public colleges can no longer work with or accept grants from certain countries, like China, without a higher ed governing board’s permission under a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this week. Other countries the legislation targets are Russia, Iran, Cuba, North Korea, Syria and Venezuela. Colleges cannot partner with those nations — which includes student exchange or study abroad programs — without approval from boards that lead the State University System of Florida, a collection of four-year universities, or the Florida College System, which has both two- and four-year colleges. Public colleges and their employees also can’t solicit or accept gifts from those “countries of concern.”
Inside Higher Ed
NCAA: Kentucky State Falsified Football Player’s Eligibility
By Josh Moody
A former president of Kentucky State University broke NCAA rules by directing athletics staff to allow a football player to compete even though he was no longer eligible, the NCAA found Tuesday. In response, the NCAA placed the public, historically Black university on probation for two years and fined it $2,000. Kentucky State, which competes at the Division II level, is also required to vacate records of the games in which the ineligible player competed and undergo an external audit of its processes.
Inside Higher Ed
Some House Democrats Call for Withdrawal of 2011 OPM Guidance
By Katherine Knott
Key House Democratic leaders are calling again on the Education Department to withdraw 2011 guidance that allowed for revenue-sharing agreements between online program managers and institutions of higher education. On Tuesday, Connecticut representative Rosa DeLauro, ranking member on the House Appropriations Committee; California representative Mark Takano, ranking member on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs; and Washington representative Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, released a joint statement criticizing a partnership between 2U and the University of Southern California that was the subject of a recent class action filed by the Project on Predatory Student Lending.