Albany Herald
Georgia Tech graduate student overcomes traumatic brain injury to get degree
By Joshua Skinner, WANF
In a sea of caps, there are innumerable stories. Matthew Parzych is one of those stories. “Data analytics is my degree,” Parzych said. A software engineer by trade, his interest in the subject emerged after his wife, Erin, was diagnosed with breast cancer 11 years ago. …Interest piqued, Parzych applied for and was accepted into, Georgia Tech’s M.S Analytics program. But during the summer of 2019, just one semester into his degree plan, he suffered his own tragedy. “The last thing I remember is walking over there,” Parzych said. Matt was in Florida helping a friend install a Murphy bed when it collapsed on him, causing a traumatic brain injury. …Parzych is planning to use his M.S. in Data Analytics to work in healthcare. He’d like to work on treating traumatic brain injuries. He’d also like to work at the Shepherd Center.
The Georgia Virtue
A circle of care: Nursing graduate fulfills childhood dream
When Richmond Hill native Kiara Farinacci crosses Georgia Southern University’s commencement stage in Savannah on Dec. 16 to earn a bachelor’s in nursing, the diploma will serve as both a source of pride and an emblem of the pediatric nurse who inspired the degree.
Albany Herald
Husband, wife become Albany State University graduates together
From staff reports
Westley and Precious Spears have much to celebrate together, including 12 years of marriage and raising three children. The pair gained another joint accomplishment recently as they walked across the stage together and earned bachelor’s degrees from Albany State University. The Spearses have a shared history of starting and stopping past college endeavors that influenced their decision to pursue higher education together. Determined to break the pattern, they consciously chose to embark on the academic journey hand in hand, vowing to see it through to completion.
The Georgia Virtue
Badges and books: Georgia Southern Public Safety officer becomes Double Eagle this fall
To serve and to protect are words many law enforcement officials live by. For Georgia Southern University Patrol Lt. Katie Hodges, serving and protecting the students on campus is her favorite part of her job. …So when Hodges enrolled as a graduate student while serving in the Office of Public Safety on campus, she felt it helped her relate to students on a deeper level. …Hodges, who is completing a master’s degree in criminology, graduated Dec. 14 at Allen E. Paulson Stadium in Statesboro, at which time she will become a Double Eagle. She received a bachelor’s degree in biology from Georgia Southern in 2020, at which time she planned to become a doctor. “I knew that I wanted to help people, so at the time I thought that was the correct path for me to take,” she said. “After shadowing a doctor, I decided I did not enjoy it like I thought I would.” Instead, Hodges decided to pursue a childhood dream of becoming a police officer, a service-oriented career that was inspired by her parents. “My father worked for the Georgia State Patrol, and my mother was a registered nurse,” she said. “I admired their dedication and service to our community.”
Albany Herald
267 graduates take part in Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College commencement exercises
From staff reports
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently celebrated a total of 267 graduates who earned their degrees in two commencement ceremonies. The morning ceremony featured graduates from the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and the School of Arts and Sciences, while the afternoon ceremony honored graduates from the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Stafford School of Business.
WTOC
‘It was inspiring:’ Georgia Southern University fall graduation ceremony held Saturday
By Jasmine Butler
The Georgia Southern University class of 2023 is closing one chapter of their lives… College. The University’s second fall graduation ceremony was held Saturday at Enmarket Arena in Savannah. “It has been life-changing,” Dr. Takeshi Brown said. “It was inspiring. I was inspired by all of the people along the way that helped me,” Nursing Graduate Myra Finney said. …Graduating with her Bachelors of Nursing, Myra Finney says the support of her friends is what inspired her to keep going. …But when she heard these words. “Okay are you ready? Will all candidates please rise…” She knew the journey was worth it. …This week, more than 2,000 students graduated across Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty campuses.
Grice Connect
Seventeen Student-Athletes Receive Stoles Prior to Graduation Ceremony
Student athletes from across 8 different teams were honored in advance of this week’s fall commencement at Georgia Southern.
Georgia Southern Athletics honored 17 expected graduating student-athletes with a special stole ceremony Monday evening in the Bishop Field House. The Athletic Department handed out stoles that were used to signify student-athletes at this week’s Georgia Southern University commencement ceremony at Paulson Stadium where at least one member of eight GS athletics teams walked across the stage. Twelve of the student-athletes also received rings signifying that they will be graduating with at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA).
The Red & Black
Fall 2023 graduates join the next class of UGA alumni
Lizzie Rice
A sea of Bulldogs dressed in black caps and gowns with red banners across their shoulders coated the floor of Stegeman Coliseum on Dec. 15 for the fall 2023 University of Georgia undergraduate commencement ceremony. UGA welcomed 1,626 undergraduates into the alumni community of more than 300,000 members. The graduation ceremony was led by UGA President Jere W. Morehead and several faculty and staff.
Energy Portal
Is Georgia Southern University Rolling Admissions?
By Alan Caldwell
Georgia Southern University is recognized as a prominent institution in the state of Georgia that offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. As students consider applying to Georgia Southern, one of the common questions that arises is whether the university offers rolling admissions. In this article, we will explore the admissions process at Georgia Southern University, providing an overview and addressing frequently asked questions.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Suffering in silence: Male college students less likely to seek counseling
By Vanessa McCray
… Only 22.5% of male undergraduate students received psychological or mental health services over the course of a year, according to a spring 2023 American College Health Association survey of more than 55,000 respondents nationwide. That’s compared to 39.5% of female students…Campus counseling centers across Georgia — from Georgia Tech to Kennesaw State and Emory universities — see far more women using their services. …Some schools are trying strategies — such as peer-mentoring programs and shorter-term, goal-focused coaching — that may resonate with male students hesitant to try traditional talk therapy. The state and federal government in recent years have recognized mental health as an important issue on college campuses and committed more money for counselors and other resources. Gov. Brian Kemp allocated $6 million last year for more access to mental health resources and additional professional development opportunities for faculty for Georgia’s colleges and universities. Challenges, though, remain to providing care. …Men sometimes think they’re “being too dramatic” or their problems aren’t that big, said Vishrut Thaker, a 21-year-old senior studying neuroscience at Georgia State University. …Georgia Tech, where two-thirds of students are male, is the only school within the University System of Georgia to enroll more men than women. Yet men comprised less than 45% of the one-on-one client visits at Georgia Tech’s mental health care center last year, according to Hong. … Here’s what some Georgia colleges and universities are doing to connect more male students with mental health services. …Georgia Tech wants to hold residence hall workshops to teach students to manage their time and stress, plus other skills like how to make friends. Kennesaw State University is training peer counselors, supervised by a licensed professional, to create safe spaces for fellow students to talk. …The University of Georgia tailors mental health programs to fit male audiences, such as fraternities or men’s sports team.
Albany Herald
Third cohort of CAES Rural Scholars embraces first semester at UGA
By Maria M. Lameiras UGA/CAES
The 2023 cohort of Rural Scholars brings a wide range of interests and ambitions with them as they complete their first semester at the University of Georgia’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. The third round of students recruited through the CAES Rural Scholars Program includes Jay Lavender of Statham, Ashley Rowell of Douglas, and Willow Waldrep of Forsyth. Launched in 2020, the program was the vision of Keith Kelly, a 1980 CAES graduate and founder, president and CEO of Kelly Products; his wife, Pam Kelly; and 1983 CAES alumnus Robert Varnedoe.
Augusta Business Daily
Mondays with Rick: Economic arrows pointing in right direction for 2024
Gary Kauffman
Dr. Rick Franza, Professor of Management at the Hull College of Business, discusses a different, timely business topic each Monday in this column. This week, he forecasts what 2024 holds for the economy and the business world. The interview has been edited for clarity and impact.
ABD: It’s almost 2024, so it’s time to do a little prognosticating about economic and business trends we could see next year. Let’s start with one that everyone is concerned about: Inflation.
Rick: Inflation is steadying, but it’s not getting any lower. It’s still sticky. But I don’t think it’ll get much worse. The risk of inflation going up is relatively low. I think the trajectory is right, but the timing is tricky. When will inflation get down to 2 percent? I think it’ll take a while.
Athens CEO
UGA’s 2024 Athens Georgia Economic Outlook Announced for January 31st
Staff Report
For more than 40 years, the Georgia Economic Outlook series has provided Georgia business and community leaders with reliable, research-driven insights into the new year’s economy. Join northeast Georgia’s business community at UGA’s 2024 Athens-area Georgia Economic Outlook on Jan. 31, presented by the UGA Terry College of Business at the The Classic Center. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and programming starting at noon.
Vegetable Growers News
Organic Grower: UGA studies transitioning fallow pastureland
To help new organic growers overcome weed challenges, University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences’ researchers are examining ways to help transition land from conventional to organic production in the Southeast. A UGA study, “Breaking New Ground: Reducing Perennial Weeds and Improving Soil Fertility for Southern Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production,” is supported through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture organic transitions program. Georgia ranks fourth in conventional fresh vegetable production in the U.S., but its 102 organic farms represent just 0.6% of the nation’s organic farms. The study’s researchers want to find ways to help growers overcome challenges blocking organic growth and increase the scale of southeastern U.S. organic production, said Kate Cassity-Duffey, a UGA assistant professor of organic horticulture.
Today
11 heart-healthy dessert ideas that dietitians love — and 2 ingredients they avoid
Creative recipes for cookies, brownies and fruit crisps that come with heart health benefits.
By Sarah Jacoby
Heart-healthy desserts are a delicious way to get nutritional benefits from your favorite sweet treats. Whether you’re hoping to prevent heart disease or looking for delicious ways to manage your health with a heart issue, dessert can still be part of the equation. “Everything can fit into a healthy diet,” Theresa Gentile, a registered dietitian in New York City and a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com. In fact, Gentile eats dessert pretty much every day, usually in the form of chocolate, she says. Along with other lifestyle strategies, such as getting good quality sleep and staying physically active, choosing the right dessert foods can help you hit your heart-health goals. “Incorporating desserts you love, either occasionally or regularly, is possible with a bit of thoughtful planning,” Emma Laing, Ph.D., clinical professor and director of the didactic program in dietetics at the University of Georgia and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, tells TODAY.com.
yahoo!news
Are feminine products hurting the environment? See what the numbers, experts say
Erica Van Buren, Augusta Chronicle
Plastic menstrual hygiene products are harmful to the human body and the environment, experts say. “A lot of the material in tampons and sanitary pads is plastic,” said John Lue, chief of general obstetrics and gynecology at the Medical College of Georgia. “These products are toxic and can release hydrocarbons into the water system. In fact, if you look at most people, we have some plastic in our system today because of all the plastics we use.” About 12 billion pads and 7 billion tampons are discarded each year in the U.S. alone, according to experts. While many of these products end up in a landfill, others clog sewers or contribute to the staggering amount of plastics in oceans.
The Red & Black
UGA lab studies how to use fire to help the environment
Guillermo Zapata
Forest fires are often associated with destruction, but, at the Athens Prescribed Fire Science Lab, University of Georgia and Forest Service researchers are learning how to use fire to improve the environment. These deliberate, controlled burns — called prescribed fires — are used on both private and public lands to improve hunting conditions, increase the diversity of species and even protect and bring back threatened ecosystems and animals, according to the Journal of Forest Economics. According to Project Leader Joe O’Brien, the Athens Prescribed Fire Science Lab is the only lab of its type in the U.S. devoted to the study of prescribed fire. Located on UGA’s South Campus, the lab can burn entire trees in a controlled space, allowing careful observation with thermal cameras and other measurement devices.
Savannah Morning News
The Savannah-Sierra Leone Sankofa Connection: Going Back to ‘Fetch It’
Maxine L. Bryant (contributing lifestyles columnist. She is an assistant professor, Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology; director, Center for Africana Studies, and director, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center at Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Campus.)
The Sankofa Bird is a mythical African bird that is pictured facing forward with its head turned backwards with an egg in its mouth. The word Sankofa comes from a Ghana language and means “to retrieve” or “go back and fetch it.” Interpreted, it represents the idea of learning from the past and moving forward into the future. The egg signifies the youth who are our future. It is the responsibility of adults in the village to ensure youth are taught accurate truth that prepares them for a productive future. To do this, we must go back and fetch accurate truth that is too often missing or distorted in our schools. I recently accompanied eight Savannah travelers to African nation of Sierra Leone as we endeavored to “go back and fetch” accurate truth.
Savannah Morning News
Former Georgia Southern All-American named NFL head coach
Caitlyn Stroh-Page
The Los Angeles Chargers named former Georgia Southern football player Giff Smith interim head coach on Friday. Smith, a native of Mableton, Ga. in Cobb County, was a three-time All-American defensive end at Georgia Southern. He played for the Eagles from 1987-1990 and was part of two national championship-winning teams in 1989 and 1990. …Smith’s promotion from outside linebackers coach marks the first time a former Georgia Southern football player has been an NFL head coach, according to the Statesboro Herald.
Savannah Morning News
Despite late rally, Georgia Southern football falls to Ohio in Myrtle Beach Bowl
Michael Cuneo
Wilmington StarNews
The Ohio University Bobcats football program picked up the first bowl victory of 2023, defeating Georgia Southern 41-21 in the Myrtle Beach Bowl Saturday afternoon.
See also:
Savannah Morning News
‘Too little too late’: Georgia Southern’s Clay Helton talks team’s struggles after bowl loss
Griffin Daily News
UGA Griffin donates to local organizations
By GDN STAFF
The University of Georgia Griffin Campus recently donated over 150 toys to the Griffin Fire-Rescue Toy Drive and 336 pounds of food to the Five Loaves and Two Fish food pantry. The toys and food were donated by UGA Griffin faculty, students and staff during the campus’ annual food and toy drive.
JAMES Magazine Online
Georgia campuses not immune from anti-Semitism
by Phil Kent
Georgia law enforcement officials tell James Magazine Online they continue to monitor inflammatory statements by left-wing, pro-Hamas groups, especially in the wake of virtually all our state’s colleges and universities issuing condemnations of Hamas’ barbaric Oct. 7th terrorist attack against Israel. To cite just one example, in an Oct. 10 statement University of Georgia President Jere Morehead flatly declared that he was “outraged and deeply saddened by the terrorist acts perpetrated against innocent civilians in Israel.” Morehead further underscored that it was “a dark and difficult moment,” especially for UGA’s Jewish students.
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Columbus State University grad, an aspiring filmmaker, killed in Phenix City shooting
By Tim Chitwood
A 23-year-old Columbus State University graduate pursuing a career in filmmaking was shot to death in Phenix City earlier this week, said Russell County Coroner Arthur Sumbry Jr. He confirmed Ryan Boles, 23, of Eatonton, GA, was found dead in the rear parking lot of the Synovus Bank, 1000 13th St. Boles was pronounced dead at 9:24 p.m., he said. According to the CSU Department of Communication, Boles was a student from the fall of 2019 through this past spring, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication with a concentration in film production.
Other News:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kemp plays Santa to 308,000 Georgia teachers, state employees with $1K bonus
By James Salzer
Sitting on massive reserves, Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday he’ll provide a $1,000 retention bonus to state employees, teachers and school support staff this holiday season. The supplements will cost the state about $330 million and be included in the mid-year budget Kemp will submit to lawmakers during the first week of the 2024 session, which begins Jan. 8. But the bonuses will be delivered in end-of-the-year paychecks next week.
Higher Education News:
Diverse Issues in Higher Education
Class of 2022 Employment Rates Return to Pre-Pandemic Levels
Johnny Jackson
Employment rates for Class of 2022 graduates returned to pre-pandemic levels after two relatively down years, according to results of a new survey. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) First-Destination Survey for the Class of 2022 revealed that the overall employment rate for Class of 2022 bachelor’s degree graduates was 64.0% with a full-time employment rate of 59.1%.
Higher Ed Dive
First-year college applicants have risen 8%, suggests early Common App data
The portal found prospective students from low-income and underrepresented backgrounds have applied to college at rates outpacing their peers.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
The number of first-year applicants for the 2023-24 academic year has risen 8% year over year, according to new Common App data. The number of applicants who the Common App considers to be underrepresented minorities also jumped by 15% year over year — a notable jump given fears about the U.S. Supreme Court decision against race-conscious admissions dissuading historically marginalized students from pursuing a college education. The jump was largely driven by 15% increases each in Latinx and Black or African American candidates. Both public and private colleges drew more first-year applicants than the prior year, though publics experienced more growth. In 2023-24, applications to publics rose 14% year over year, compared to 10% among private institutions.
Inside Higher Ed
A Disruptive Year in Admissions
Inside Higher Ed assesses a year of dramatic change in college admissions and predicts what the landscape might look like in 2024.
By Liam Knox
The past year brought seismic shifts to higher education, from the end of affirmative action to the escalating political battle over higher ed’s value and core mission. In a year of heightened pressures, magnified public scrutiny and tightening purses, college admissions has been a lightning rod for many of the contradictions plaguing the sector, and the field is often tasked—fairly or unfairly—with resolving them.
Inside Higher Ed
Frustration Mounts Over Biden’s Latest Debt Relief Plans
Months of talks over how to forgive student loans for borrowers only highlighted how contentious the issue is—and how fraught the path ahead looks in 2024.
By Katherine Knott
More than 43 million student loan borrowers rang in 2023 full of hope that their debt balances would drop by either $10,000 or $20,000 under President Joe Biden’s forgiveness plan. But that promised relief never materialized after the Supreme Court struck down Biden’s plan in June, leaving borrowers in limbo until student loan payments resumed in the fall following a three-year pandemic pause. As the calendar gets ready to flip to 2024, borrowers along with student loan and consumer protection advocates are growing frustrated with the Biden administration, which is now eyeing other ways to provide relief. However, those other options are far more narrow than the initial, broad-based forgiveness plan.
Higher Ed Dive
Colleges want to move away from expensive textbooks. Can it be done?
West Texas A&M University is one of the latest institutions exploring using more open educational resources.
By Danielle McLean
West Texas A&M University made headlines in August after announcing its lofty goal of eliminating the majority of textbook-related costs. A couple months after the university’s initial announcement, West Texas A&M President Walter Wendler conceded his plans were too ambitious and said they would only apply to first- and second-year classes. In an email last month, Wendler said he planned to achieve this goal by finding “whatever means we can to reduce costs to students and assist faculty in finding resources acceptable to them for teaching.” One of several solutions the university is exploring to eliminate textbook costs is turning to open-access materials. Open educational resources, or OER, are available in the public domain or under an open license that allows them to be freely used and altered. A growing number of institutions have been exploring using those materials over expensive textbooks.
Inside Higher Ed
Rooting Out Toxic Leaders: Academic Minute
By Doug Lederman
Today on the Academic Minute: Bryan P. Acton, assistant professor of organizational behavior and leadership at Binghamton University, discusses ways to identify and discourage toxic leadership.
Inside Higher Ed
UNC Taps Former State Official as Interim Chancellor
By Josh Moody
Lee Roberts, a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors and a former Republican state official, has been named interim chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He will replace Kevin Guskiewicz, who is leaving to lead Michigan State University. Roberts, who runs a private investment firm, was appointed to the UNC Board of Governors in 2021 by the Republican-dominated General Assembly. From 2014 to 2016, he served as state budget director under Republican governor Pat McCrory. According to his LinkedIn page, Roberts has taught classes at the Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy since 2020 but does not have administrative experience in higher education.