accessWDUN
Investiture held for new UNG President Michael Shannon
By AccessWDUN Staff
The University of North Georgia community gathered Friday to celebrate the investiture of new UNG President Michael Shannon. University System of Georgia Chancellor and former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue performed the official investiture during a morning ceremony. That ceremony was followed by a military review in Memorial Hall Gym and a picnic at Pine Valley Recreation Complex. “He’s betting big on working with students, faculty and staff to seize this opportunity to impact more lives, to build on the strength of the University of North Georgia and the communities that call it home,” Perdue said. “In his words, ‘It’s students first and always.'”
Albany Herald
Augusta University Presidential Search Committee named
From staff reports
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia recently named members of the Augusta University Presidential Search Committee. The committee will conduct a national search to replace President Brooks Keel, who recently announced plans to retire after the 2023-2024 academic year. Keel has led AU since July 2015, guiding it through a period of significant growth and transition as one of four public research universities in Georgia and as the state’s only public academic medical center. He will retire next year after a 40-year career in research and higher education, including more than 14 years with USG. Keel served as president of Georgia Southern University from 2010 until he moved to Augusta.
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WGAU Radio
$1 million gift pledges scholarships for Terry College student veterans
By Tim Bryant
Heather and BJ Schaknowski, both graduates of the University of Georgia and its Terry College of Business, are funding a $1 million endowment for military veterans. The Schaknowski Military Appreciation Scholarship Fund, to provide scholarship support for student veterans enrolled in UGA’s Terry College.
Middle Georgia CEO
Fort Valley State University’s (FVSU) Cooperative Development Energy Program (CDEP) recently hosted a momentous visit from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), featuring distinguished representatives from the Office of Science and the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. The half-day event, designed to integrate FVSU students and faculty into the cutting-edge research conducted at the National Laboratories, served as a testament to the University’s commitment to fostering scientific excellence and innovation. Gracing the occasion was the esteemed Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Science at the U.S. Department of Energy, who articulated her deep appreciation for the opportunity to lead the delegation of DOE Office of Science leadership and science leaders from across the national laboratories to FVSU.
Poultry Produce
Revolutionizing Poultry Processing: US Research Institutions Harness AI and Robotics
By Sophi Fairman –
In a groundbreaking initiative, four leading research institutions in the United States are spearheading the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics tailored for the poultry processing sector. Supported by a substantial four-year, $5 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, these institutions have collaborated to establish the Centre for Scalable and Intelligent Automation in Poultry Processing. The University of Arkansas, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Fort State Valley University are combining forces to integrate AI, machine learning, and robotics, aiming to advance efficiency and sanitation in chicken meat processing operations.
The George-Anne
Fast Fashion vs Sustainable Clothing
Vanessa Countryman, Special Projects Reporter
The fast fashion industry is a key cause of clothing waste resulting in landfills being overfilled.
What’s happening: Fast fashion is like single-use disposable plastics
“I think it’s quite popular among college students because it’s typically cheap,” said Kira Jatoft, Assistant Director of Sustainability and Leadership at Georgia Southern University. “That’s probably the main reason I really see a lot of students or just the general public kind of buy into that– like if you’re thinking Shein and all that type of stuff.” Shein is one of the many fast-fashion retailers that produce thousands of garments and accessories at extreme rates, according to the Insider. What’s next: Sustain Southern at Georgia Southern University strives to increase positive behavior through education and awareness on sustainability issues.
Morning AgClips
Researchers Assess Dry Hydrogen Peroxide in Hatcheries
As Replacement for Formaldehyde in Commercial Poultry Hatcheries
USPOULTRY and the USPOULTRY Foundation announce the completion of a funded research project by researchers at the University of Georgia that assessed dry hydrogen peroxide as a replacement for formaldehyde in commercial poultry hatcheries. The research was made possible in part by an endowing Foundation gift from Fieldale Farms. The research is part of the Association’s comprehensive research program encompassing all phases of poultry and egg production and processing. In total, more than $36,000,000 has been invested in research by the Association and Foundation. A summary of the completed project is below.
Athens Banner-Herald
Are wild hogs wreaking havoc on your land? Feral swine workshop will offer trapping tools
Erica Van Buren, Augusta Chronicle
Whether you’re a farmer or landowner, wild pigs with their high reproductive potential and wide range in diet continue to negatively impact agriculture and ecosystems in Georgia. The upcoming feral swine workshop will offer tools from experts on how to combat the havoc wild hogs continue to cause. Michael Mengak, professor and wildlife specialist at the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources at University of Georgia, said wild pigs have the highest reproductive rate of any mammal their size that lives on land. “One of the things we try to do with the workshop is provide factual information and dispel myths,” said Mengak. “They can reproduce typically once or twice per year. On average they can have between three and 10 in a litter.”
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Columbus CEO
Columbus State Announces Holiday Tip-Off & Campus Lighting Tomorrow
Columbus State University will continue its holiday Women’s Basketball tip-off and campus lighting celebration on its Main Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 14. The action begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Frank G. Lumpkin Jr. [map] basketball court where the Lady Cougars will take on Albany State for their season home opener. Admission is free for students, employees and community members of all ages. Immediately following the game, the university will hold its official campus-lighting ceremony and complimentary holiday cookies on the lawn of the Student Recreation Center [map] — next door to the Lumpkin Center. The tree-lighting ceremony is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m.
Grice Connect
Santa Gus will make stops in Statesboro, Savannah, Augusta, and Atlanta this holiday season for photos and holiday fun!
Santa GUS is hitting the road this year and wants to see you and your family in Atlanta, Augusta, Statesboro, or Savannah! Each event includes a professional digital picture with you and Santa GUS, yummy treats, and a fun GUS coloring sheet to take home with you. Photos will be emailed to you shortly after the event.
Albany Herald
ABAC freshman earns GCAA regional cross country honors
From Staff Reports
ABAC’s Kylie Downs, who recently became the school’s first cross country runner to place at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Region 17 championships, received an award from Cross Country Coach Mike Beeman.
Football Scoop
Sources: Former national champion coach David Dean stepping down at West Georgia
David Dean is stepping down at West Georgia, previously led Valdosta State to D-II titles
John Brice
David Dean has won multiple NCAA national championships and coached in more than 20 NCAA Playoff games. But Monday, sources told FootballScoop, Dean elected to step down from his post atop the University of West Georgia football program. Dean coached the Wolves of UWG from 2017 through this 2023 season, when the program closed with a 6-4 campaign that ended in last Saturday’s loss to rival Valdosta State.
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Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Report Encourages Equity-Oriented Scholarship at Public Research Institutions
By Jessica Blake
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities released a new report this week aimed at helping public research institutions take concrete actions to support publicly engaged, equity-oriented and publicly impactful scholarship. The report, published Monday, combines insights from university administrators, prior research and academic literature to highlight eight key strategies that can improve the community engagement, outreach and influence of public-serving colleges and universities across the country. The strategies include reforming appointment, retention, tenure, and promotion practices to favor those who value publicly engaged work; building capacity for engagement and equity work among faculty; and formalizing curricular training and professional development opportunities for students.
Inside Higher Ed
New College of Florida Seeks $400M for Conservative Transformation
The high-priced business plan emphasizes new facilities and academic programs, as well as athletics. Officials say the money is needed to reach state goals.
By Josh Moody
In January, Republican governor Ron DeSantis appointed a new cohort of trustees at New College of Florida and tasked them with driving a conservative overhaul of the small liberal arts institution. Some 10 months later, with former Republican state lawmaker Richard Corcoran newly confirmed as NCF’s permanent president, the board is asking for at least $400 million to complete that makeover, according to a business plan approved by the Florida Board of Governors last week. The trustees also requested another $20 million in debt forgiveness. Given that NCF currently has a head count of about 700 students—with plans to raise enrollment to 1,200 by 2028—the funding request breaks down to roughly $571,000 per student.
Inside Higher Ed
Report: Federal ‘Loophole’ Lets States Opt Out of Higher Ed Oversight
By Katherine Knott
A decade-old policy change has allowed states to delegate their oversight authority regarding higher education to accrediting agencies, argues Student Defense, a legal advocacy nonprofit that assists students defrauded by colleges, in a new report. States are one-third of the so-called triad, along with the federal government and accrediting agencies, that is responsible for overseeing colleges and universities. Under a 2010 change in the Education Department’s state authorization regulations and other subsequent policy guidance, states can delegate or eliminate their oversight authority if they have a process to review and act on complaints regarding colleges and universities. That process can include forwarding all complaints to an accrediting agency, per the report.
Inside Higher Ed
AI Voice Clones and Deepfakes: The Latest Presidents’ Engagement Tools
Artificial intelligence is allowing university presidents to reach students in new ways—and forms. But experts warn to proceed with caution.
By Lauren Coffey
The friendly but authoritative voice of Astrid Tuminez delivers a cybersecurity PSA, narrating over an animated version of herself. Throughout the cartoon, the voice of the Utah Valley University president warns of perils such as phishing and phone scams before delivering a final, surprise reveal: the voice that sounded like Tuminez was that of an artificial intelligence–enabled bot. “Trust that gut feeling that does not feel right,” the voice says. “And here’s a twist: you’ve been listening to an AI clone of President Tuminez’s voice.” Then the real Tuminez appears, saying, “Just as my voice can be mimicked, so can others’; always be vigilant.”
Inside Higher Ed
Louisiana Tech Student Stabs 4 on Campus
By Susan H. Greenberg
A Louisiana Tech University student allegedly stabbed four people on campus Monday in what officials are calling a “random act of violence,” ABC News reported. The four victims—one graduate student and three nonstudents—had just left the campus recreation center when the suspect, Jacoby Johnson, attacked them around 9 a.m., according to the university. One of the victims remains hospitalized in critical condition; two are in stable but serious condition, and one refused treatment.
Higher Ed Dive
GAO: How colleges can help sexual assault survivors continue college
A recent report gathered recommendations for helping these students from representatives of colleges, survivors and student loan borrowers.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
Higher ed institutions can better support survivors of sexual assault by providing individualized safety and academic accommodations, according to an October report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Colleges can offer trauma survivors escorts around campus and changes to their housing. They can also tailor services available to the broader student population, such as mental health counseling and referrals. Academic adaptations can also be provided, in the form of flexible grading, extensions on assignments and leaves of absence. The GAO found that colleges’ Title IX offices were generally responsible for connecting survivors to these services.
Higher Ed Dive
Legacy admissions remains in the spotlight. But accurate data on the subject is elusive.
Institutions sometimes report conflicting information about legacy status, complicating research efforts while debates on college access intensify.
Jeremy Bauer-Wolf, Senior Reporter
The silhouettes of two people standing on steps in caps and gowns, their entire figures are obscured.
Aaron Hawkins via Getty Images Boston University’s student newspaper last month reported seemingly contradictory statements from the administration about the selective private institution’s use of legacy preferences in admissions. Colin Riley, a university spokesperson, told The Daily Free Press — and later confirmed in an email to Higher Ed Dive — that it “never had a policy” under which alumni’s children enjoy an admissions advantage. But at the same time, he also told the student press the university hadn’t considered legacy status “in several years.” Which is it? Did the university never, or ever, account for legacy affiliation?