Capitol Beat
GEORGIA MATCH direct college admissions program seeing positive results
by Dave Williams
The University System of Georgia’s new direct admissions program is off to a strong start, despite not getting off the ground until well after classes began last fall, system Chancellor Sonny Perdue said Wednesday. Nearly 12,000 high school seniors had requested information about the GEORGIA MATCH program through Jan. 7 or taken it a step further by claiming a spot at one of the system’s 23 colleges and universities participating in the initiative. “It’s working as we hoped,” Perdue told members of the university system’s Board of Regents. “(But) it’s the beginning. We’re just getting started.” …Several regents said they were impressed with the results so far and the program’s proactive nature. “It’s incredible what we’re doing,” said Regent Jose Perez of Peachtree Corners. “We’re chasing students and trying to bring them in.”
See also:
Middle Georgia CEO
Dr. Ivan Allen, president of Central Georgia Technical College (CGTC) in Macon, chairman for the Board of Trustees for Houston Healthcare and a Navicent Health Foundation trustee, and Dr. Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in Fort Valley and trustee at Atrium Health Navicent Peach, are joint recipients of one of the Georgia Hospital Association’s (GHA) highest honors, the Distinguished Service Award…The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to hospital trustees or community leaders who have made significant contributions to improving health care in Georgia. … As the president of FVSU, Dr. Paul Jones has worked to ensure the student experience is inclusive and supportive of student needs, including health care needs, which has resulted in increased retention and graduation rates. Like Dr. Allen, Dr. Jones partnered with Atrium Health Navicent to establish health clinics on campus for students, faculty and staff. Given that FVSU is in a rural area with limited transportation available, the clinics allow individuals more readily available access to health care and are a significant part of improving health equity. Importantly, the clinics also provided mental health services and support. Also like Dr. Allen, Dr. Jones has helped address the workforce shortage, paving the way for a new nursing degree at the college offered in partnership with Atrium Health Navicent.
The Tifton Gazette
ABAC Nursing Program honors top graduates for 2023 Fall Semester
From Staff Reports
The nursing program at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College recently honored its top graduates at the 2023 Fall semester pinning ceremony. “I am extremely proud of the recipients of these awards as well as the other graduates,” said Dr. Jeffrey Ross, Dean for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences. ”The long hours of studying, practicing skills, and preceptorship have culminated into this moment for them.”
The Georgia Sun
Exploring Excellence: Top 5 Universities in Georgia for Academic Pursuits
Brandon Metcalfe
Georgia, a southeastern U.S. state, is not just known for its rich history and vibrant culture but also for its commitment to higher education. This article will explore the top five universities in Georgia that have set the standard for academic excellence. Each institution has unique strengths, making them ideal for students with various academic goals and interests. 1. University of Georgia (UGA); 2. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech); 4. University of West Georgia
Inside Higher Ed
Removing Financial Barriers to Study Abroad
To make international education experiences more equitable and accessible, colleges and universities have implemented programs to reduce or remove costs related to study away.
By Ashley Mowreader
More than half of college students want to travel abroad, according to College Pulse data. Over 80 percent of institutions anticipate study abroad numbers to increase in the 2023–24 academic year, while 14 percent anticipate numbers will remain the same, according to a spring 2023 report from the Institute of International Education. However, studying abroad can cost several thousand dollars per term, depending on the host country, institution or partner organization. Colleges and outside partners are funding initiatives to remove financial barriers that can deter students from studying abroad, clearing the runway to takeoff and travel. Georgia State University—Free Passport Program
The first barrier to studying abroad can be the cost of a passport application. In 2021, Georgia State launched the Free Passport Program to encourage global engagement following the COVID-19 pandemic and increase the number and diversity of GSU students with passports, according to an October press release.
Morning AgClips
New UGA Poultry Science Building Welcomes First Students
70,000-plus square-foot building is new home of Department of Poultry Science
As students return to campus fresh from holiday break, one building is welcoming students for the very first time. Situated on University of Georgia’s South Campus, the 70,000-plus square-foot Poultry Science Building is the new home of the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) Department of Poultry Science.
Albany Herald
CAES alum to expand food production through controlled environment agriculture
By Ashley Biles UGA/CAES
For plant breeder Andrew Ogden, things are looking up. Way up. A new assistant professor in the University of Georgia Department of Horticulture at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Ogden focuses on breeding members of the cucurbit family — namely melons and squash — in a vertical greenhouse environment. An asset to the UGA Griffin campus, Ogden joins the college’s controlled environment agriculture research team, which was formed to support the ever-expanding green industry.
Cannabis Science and Technology
New Study Investigates COVID-19 Cannabis Prevention and Treatment
Madeline Colli
A new study looked into the possibilities of cannabis being used as a treatment in preventing and treating COVID-19, as well as Long-COVID. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, investigated the role cannabis might play in preventing the coronavirus (COVID-19) and also as a form of treatment for the virus and Long-COVID symptoms (1). The scientific inquiry was conducted by Cassidy Scott, Stefan Hall, Juan Zhou, and Christian Lehmann. Titled (1), “Cannabinoids and the Endocannabinoid System in Early SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Long COVID-19”, the study looked over data from several past studies. These experiments examined if cannabis could be used as a tool to prevent COVID-19 infection and help with Long-COVID symptoms. Researchers saw that there was evidence for cannabinoids, particularly cannabis extracts (1), being able to prevent the COVID-19 virus from entering and infecting cells. In 2021, a study performed at the University of Chicago (Chicago, Illinois), discovered, “that cannabidiol (CBD) and its metabolite 7-OH-CBD potently blocked SARS-CoV-2 replication in lung epithelial cells,” (2). Another study which predates the 2021 study, was conducted in 2020 by the Dental College of Georgia (DCG) (Augusta, Georgia) and the Medical College of Georgia (Augusta, Georgia), where their study results highlighted that CBD aided in reducing damage in the lungs which were stimulated by cytokine storms caused from the COVID-19 virus (1,3).
The Augusta Chronicle
Has climate change had any impact on the crop growing season in Georgia?
Erica Van Buren
Rising temperatures and other symptoms associated with climate change are the cause of a longer growing season for crops in Georgia, say experts. While a longer season can mean increased yields for farmers, it can also allow less time for plants to go dormant and rejuvenate. “Temperatures have been rising over time in Georgia, since about 1965,” said Pam Knox, agricultural climatologist and director of the University of Georgia Weather Network. “The growing season is defined by 32 (degrees Fahrenheit) for most crops.
Specialty Crop Grower
Vidalia Onion Crop Producing Excellent Plant Stands So Far
By Clint Thompson
Georgia’s Vidalia onion crop is progressing nicely with strong plant stands, believes Chris Tyson, University of Georgia (UGA) Extension area onion agent at the Vidalia Onion & Vegetable Research Center in Lyons, Georgia.
The Union-Recorder
Book club exploring letters of Flannery O’Connor
Leah S. Bethea
It seems there is always something more that can be learned from writer Flannery O’Connor’s vast collection of work, and though a local book club has met for about two decades, members are taking a new approach at understanding more about the famed Milledgeville author. “We had been through all of the stories and both of the novels enough times so that we were at the point of saying, ‘OK, what else can we do with these people who have now read everything and [who have read] some of the stories and stuff twice?’” said Georgia College & State University’s Dr. Bruce Gentry, editor of “The Flannery O’Connor Review.”
Athens Banner-Herald
‘Sunken Treasure:’ An exhibit of coral reefs, a pirate map and more not to be missed at UGA
Wayne Ford
James Porter stood next to a large display containing exotic butterflies collected in recent years in Costa Rica and as a comparison these insects are exhibited next to renderings of the same type butterflies painted in 1785. They’re part of an exhibit called “Sunken Treasure: The Art and Science of Coral Reefs” at the University of Georgia. …An opening banquet on Jan. 27 is a fundraising event for the Georgia Museum of Natural History, which now owns Porter’s vast collection of corals. An effort is underway to one day build a museum that will open UGA’s vast store of collections for public viewing.
Georgia Chamber
Georgia Chamber Foundation Announces New Center for Workforce and Talent Preparedness
On Wednesday, January 10, the Georgia Chamber Foundation, the state’s leading economic research organization, announced the creation of its new Center for Workforce and Talent Preparedness at the Chamber’s annual Eggs and Issues breakfast. The Center for Workforce and Talent Preparedness is dedicated to leading Georgia businesses and partners in attracting, developing, connecting, and retaining the talent needed to drive a highly skilled workforce with a strong work ethic. …Along with its affiliates and existing partners – FLEX (Foundational Leadership and Entrepreneur X-Perience), Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, The National Civics Bee, and the Georgia College and State University Georgia Education Mentorship Program
Albany CEO
Giving, Glimmer and Gold: Get your Ticket to GSW’s Gold Force Gala set for Jan. 27
Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) and the GSW Alumni Association will host its second annual Gold Force Gala on Saturday, Jan. 27 in the GSW Storm Dome. The fundraiser, in support of student scholarships, will bring a crowd of nearly 300 guests for an evening of mingling, philanthropy and celebration. The formal event begins at 6 p.m. with an open bar at the cocktail reception and a silent auction with all proceeds going to scholarships. The Outstanding Alumni Awards ceremony will follow at 7 p.m. with a surf and turf dinner and exciting announcement.
Grice Connect
Leadership Southeast Georgia announces Class of 2024
Leadership Southeast Georgia (LSEGA) proudly introduces the exceptional individuals who make up its diverse and dedicated Class of 2024. Representing various industries and communities across ten coastal counties, these 30 leaders have been carefully selected for their commitment to effective and inclusive leadership. With their diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences, this class promises to bring a truly dynamic and enriching program. From February to June 2024, the Class of 2024 will participate in a comprehensive five-month curriculum. During this time, they will delve into regional issues such as natural resources, healthcare, education, economic development, and transportation. …The program’s ultimate goal is to foster collaboration, develop leadership skills, and elevate Southeast Georgia as a whole. Those selected to participate in the Class of 2024 are as follows: …Ric Stewart, Director of Annual Giving, Georgia Southern University, Bulloch County
Irish Star
President of Ireland honors three Irish people in US for ‘outstanding contributions to Ireland’
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins presented three people with Presidential Distinguished Service Awards
By Laura Colgan, Content editor
Three members of Ireland’s diaspora in the US were honored by President of Ireland Michael D Higgins for their outstanding contributions to Ireland and Irish people living abroad. …Dr. Howard Keeley, of the Center for Irish Research and Teaching at Georgia Southern University, was honored for his work in business and economic development. The Irishman, who lives in Savannah, strengthened ties between Ireland and Georgia through the TradeBridge program between the South East of Ireland and Georgia. He was also integral in the opening of Georgia Southern University’s campus in Co Wexford.
Grice Connect
Mayor McCollar to speak at EGSC MLK celebration on Thursday
Harley Smith, EGSC
East Georgia State College (EGSC) will host a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Thursday, January 18. The event is open to the public and will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of the Luck F. Gambrell Building on the Swainsboro campus of EGSC. After the ceremony, a candlelight vigil will be held outside the Gambrell Building. During the ceremony the MLK Choir and Sounds of Gabriel will perform. Asia Jennings, an alumnus of EGSC, will also perform during the event. Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar will be the guest speaker.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College Students Serve the Community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
From staff reports
From staff reports
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday is a day of rest for some. But for more than 125 Georgia Gwinnett College students, it was a day of service as they participated in projects on campus. The day started with a rousing performance by the Phi XI Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Members said the performance was a way to honor King, who himself was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech receiver Eric Singleton named freshman all-American
By Chad Bishop
Georgia Tech wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. was named to the 2023 Football Writers Association of America freshman all-American team, the FWAA announced Tuesday. The FWAA freshman all-American team includes 32 players. Singleton ranked fourth among all freshmen nationally (first-year or redshirt) in 2023 with 59.5 receiving yards per game and was tied for fourth among first-year freshmen nationally with six touchdown receptions. His 714 receiving yards and six touchdown catches both ranked among the top 10 overall in the ACC while his six TD receptions were the second-most by a freshman in Tech history. …Singleton is the first Yellow Jacket to earn a spot on the FWAA freshman all-American team since punter Pressley Harvin in 2017.
BVM Sports
Georgia Southern Rifle Team Tops No. 10 Murray State with Record-Breaking Performance
By BVM Sportsdesk
The sixth-ranked Georgia Southern rifle team started the new year with a record-setting performance, defeating No. 10 Murray State 4,731-4,691 at the Pat Sprurgin Rifle Range. Emma Pohlmann set individual school records in smallbore and aggregate, leading the Eagles to a 9-1 season record.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
State Financial Aid Rises Slightly
By Sara Weissman
State lawmakers awarded about $14.9 billion in student financial aid in the 2021–22 academic year, a 1 percent increase compared to the year before, according to an annual survey by the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, an association of state agencies that administer state-appropriated financial aid dollars. NASSGAP president Irala Magee said in a press release Tuesday that the year-to-year change in state aid appears “relatively small.”
Inside Higher Ed
Most Americans Approve of Affirmative Action Ban
By Susan H. Greenberg
More than two-thirds of Americans believe the Supreme Court’s June 2023 decision banning the use of affirmative action in college admissions is “mostly a good thing,” according to a new Gallup Center on Black Voices survey. By contrast, 32 percent of U.S. adults described the ruling as “mostly a bad thing.”
See also:
Higher Ed Dive
Utah bill would ban colleges from asking for diversity statements
The sponsors of the proposed legislation dismissed diversity statements as ideological litmus tests that don’t belong on college campuses.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
Dive Brief:
Utah colleges would be barred from asking prospective hires or students about their views on diversity, equity and inclusion under newly proposed legislation. Banned topics would include implicit bias, critical race theory, intersectionality and racial privilege. The bill would also prohibit mandatory trainings for staff or students that promote “differential treatment” or that teach certain concepts, such as that individuals are inherently privileged or oppressed based on their personal identities. Colleges would also be required to conduct campus climate surveys and offer employees annual training on freedom of speech. Institutions that violated the provisions could lose state funding.
Inside Higher Ed
Undocumented Students Could Access Federal College-Prep Programs Under Biden Proposal
Opening up the college-prep programs to undocumented students has been a priority for years. But some administrators say the political climate is too fraught to make such a change now.
By Katherine Knott
The Education Department wants to open up some federal college-prep programs known as TRIO to undocumented students. But some college and school administrators are worried about potential political backlash, particularly from Republicans in Congress, and they want the Biden administration to hold off. “Across campuses, TRIO programs are constantly fighting for support,” said D’Angelo Sands, executive director of college access and outreach at Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. “We are very much aware of the political climate, and the TRIO programs have been a target.”
Higher Ed Dive
Tenure would end at Nebraska public colleges under new legislative proposal
The proposal furthers a conservative push to weaken tenure, though these types of bills largely stalled across state legislatures last year.
Natalie Schwartz, Senior Editor
Dive Brief:
A Nebraska lawmaker introduced a bill last week that would end tenure protections across the state’s public colleges. The proposal would replace tenure with employee agreements and yearly performance evaluations for all faculty members. It would also direct the state’s public systems to adopt “minimum standards of good practice” for faculty members. The proposal furthers a conservative push to weaken tenure protections at public colleges. While last year saw a slew of proposals — including in Texas and North Dakota — they largely failed to gain traction across state legislatures.
Cybersecurity Dive
Progress Software’s MOVEit meltdown: uncovering the fallout
Businesses use the file-transfer service because it checks compliance boxes for keeping data safe. Though initial attacks were targeted, thousands of bystanding businesses were hit indiscriminately.
By Matt Kapko
While most of its students enjoyed summer break, Colorado State University revealed vast and duplicative exposure to a data breach. CSU was one of thousands of organizations caught in the flurry of zero-day attacks targeting Progress Software’s MOVEit file-transfer service customers. It wasn’t the first victim to come forward, nor would it be the last. Yet, what makes CSU unique is, though it didn’t directly use the tool, its data was exposed six times by six different vendors. CSU is emblematic of just how far-reaching supply chain cyberattacks can be. A spree of attacks in late May against a zero-day vulnerability in MOVEit ballooned into the largest, most significant cyberattack of 2023. The school wasn’t directly at fault. Rather, it was a bystander in an ecosystem full of security holes that, when exploited, can result in maximum damage. …Millions of individuals and thousands of organizations impacted by the MOVEit attacks would have had no way of knowing their information was traversing the file-transfer service’s environments.
Inside Higher Ed
University Librarians See Urgent Need for AI Ethics
By Lauren Coffey
Nearly three-quarters of university librarians say there’s an urgent need to address artificial intelligence’s ethical and privacy concerns, a survey finds. Roughly half the librarians surveyed said they had a “moderate” understanding of AI concepts and principles, according to the study released Friday. About one in five said they had a slightly below moderate understanding, and roughly the same amount had a slightly above moderate understanding. Only 3 percent of respondents said they had a “very high” understanding.
Cybersecurity Dive
Ivanti Connect Secure exploitation accelerates, 1,700 devices compromised worldwide
Researchers warn additional threat actors are actively working to take advantage of two chained together vulnerabilities.
David Jones, Reporter
Dive Brief:
Security experts at Volexity are urging organizations with Ivanti Connect Secure VPN appliances to immediately apply mitigation steps to two zero days after it identified 1,700 compromised devices worldwide. Additional threat groups are now exploiting the vulnerabilities, Volexity said in research released Monday. An initial version of the patch, which is still under development, will be available the week of Jan. 22. “Since the Ivanti advisory, we have seen a sharp increase in threat activity and security researcher scans,” Ivanti said in a statement released Tuesday. “We are confident that the mitigation blocks access to vulnerable endpoints and that both the internal and external Integrity Checker Tool will identify mismatched files.”
Cybersecurity Dive
Cyber tops business risk for enterprises worldwide, report finds
Cyber replaced business interruption as the top concern among U.S. businesses, according to the Allianz Risk Barometer.
David Jones, Reporter
Dive Brief:
A cyber event — such as ransomware, data breaches and IT disruptions – has become the top concern for U.S. businesses, replacing business interruption, according to the annual Allianz Risk Barometer, released Tuesday. Cyber events are a leading global concern of businesses for the third-consecutive year, Allianz found. Business interruption and natural catastrophes round out the top three. The report is based on the responses of 3,069 risk management experts from 92 countries and territories worldwide. Most were from large- to mid-sized companies, however 30% represented small businesses.
Cybersecurity Dive
5 cybersecurity trends to watch in 2024
Preventative measures remain woefully unmet, the scourge of ransomware is as bad as its ever been, and a wave of new incident reporting and compliance regulations are taking hold. Buckle up for 2024.
David Jones, Reporter and Matt Kapko, Senior Reporter
The trends that lived rent free in the minds of cybersecurity professionals in 2023 are certain to continue and reshape the landscape in 2024. Long-trumpeted measures for prevention remain woefully unmet, the scourge of ransomware is as bad as its ever been, and a wave of new incident reporting and compliance regulations are taking hold. These are the five trends Cybersecurity Dive identified as the most prominent and perplexing heading into 2024.