Atlanta News First
School of medicine given the green light at UGA
By Brittany Ford
A new medical school is in the works for the University of Georgia (UGA) in Athens. The Georgia Board of Regents voted to launch the school Tuesday making it the state’s second public medical school. The vote will allow UGA to acquire the proper accreditation, through the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) to establish the school. Georgia’s population growth has skyrocketed in recent years creating reduced access to care. Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, said several counties don’t have physicians or access to specialist doctors. “Georgia is doing well in so many areas but not that one. That’s why it’s critical that we produce more physicians to have a healthy Georgia and medical expertise that can care for our citizens that continue to come to Georgia,” Perdue said. …Perdue said they hope to have the first students enrolled in 2026. “We want to graduate more doctors, we want to provide more graduate medical education slots here and we want them to stay here and practice and keep our Georgians healthy,” he said.
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two dorms at Georgia Tech to get $74.5 million renovation
Georgia Board of Regents also authorized planning work for a potential Westside pedestrian bridge
By Vanessa McCray
Two Georgia Tech dormitories that date back decades will undergo a $74.5 million overhaul. The Georgia Board of Regents on Tuesday approved the residence hall upgrades and also authorized the first phase of a potential pedestrian bridge project that would stretch from the John Lewis Student Center to Science Square.
11Alive
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the degree program Tuesday, and it will begin in the fall 2024 semester.
Author: Meleah Lyden
Kennesaw State University students will soon be able to graduate with a Master of Science in artificial intelligence (MSAI) degree. According to a release, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the program on Tuesday, and it will begin in the fall 2024 semester. KSU is the second school in Georgia to offer this degree, according to the university. The program will be housed in the College of Computing and Software Engineering and will expand on the university’s existing artificial intelligence concentration in the department of computer science.
HBCU Lifestyle
HBCU Colleges with Veterinary Programs: A Comprehensive Guide
By Stephanie Gallardo
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a long and storied history of providing higher education opportunities to African Americans. These institutions of higher learning have played an important role in promoting diversity and inclusivity in higher education. Today, HBCUs continue to offer a wide range of academic programs, including veterinary medicine. …These programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. In this section, we will highlight some of the HBCU colleges with veterinary programs. …Fort Valley State University Fort Valley State University, located in Fort Valley, Georgia, offers a Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Technology program. The program is designed to provide students with the necessary coursework and hands-on experience to become a licensed veterinary technician. Fort Valley State University also offers a Pre-Veterinary Medicine program, which is designed to provide students with the necessary coursework and hands-on experience to prepare them for veterinary school.
Middle Georgia Times
On Friday, February 16th from 10 to 11 a.m. Virgil Miller, President of Aflac U.S. and GCSU alum, Cathy Cox, JD, President of Georgia College & State University, and Dr. Will Evans, Dean of the College of Health Sciences at Georgia College & State University, will announce a $100,000 Aflac CareGrant for Georgia College and State University. GCSU will be using the grant money to supports its College of Health Sciences which educates future leaders in the healthcare industry. The College of Health Sciences also maintains a mobile health unit through the Center for Health and Social Issues which provides health screening and services to four of the rural counties that surround Milledgeville. After the presentation of the oversized check and speeches, representatives from both Aflac and GCSU will present an Aflac Park Bench on the Georgia College and State University campus.
The Red & Black
UGA Latin program named largest in nation
Allison Mawn
A recent report by the Modern Language Association listed the University of Georgia’s Latin program as the largest in the nation. Classical language studies date back to UGA’s founding, when Latin and Greek were required for admission, according to a UGA Media Relations press release. The long-lasting program has drawn commitment from both faculty, administrators and a variety of students. UGA’s Classics program was helmed by James W. Alexander from 1948 to 1980. During that time, it became one of the first to introduce classics-in-translation courses, allowing more students to study classical culture and literature without studying Greek or Latin, the release said.
ISP Today
SSP International Expands Access to STEM Education with New Partnerships and Stipends
SSP International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing advanced science immersion experiences to high school students, is set to expand access to high-quality STEM education. Through new partnerships with esteemed universities, SSP will double the number of placements available this summer, bringing the total to nearly 400. These partnerships include Georgia College & State University, Georgetown University, and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. To ensure that deserving participants have the opportunity to engage in the Summer Science Program, SSP International will offer $3,000 stipends to qualified students who may otherwise have to work during the summer.
Ledger-Enquirer
‘We make a difference in people’s lives.’ Meet Georgia’s public library director of the year
By Mike Haskey
Alan Harkness, the director of the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, was recently named Georgia Public Library Director of the Year by the Georgia Public Library Service. Harkness oversees the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries, a regional library system based in Columbus, Georgia that serves a population of 250,000 through seven facilities, two bookmobiles, and two automated 24-hour library kiosks. …Under his the leadership Chattahoochee Valley Libraries became the first Georgia library to eliminate fines for overdue materials in 2019. Harkness continues to be a strong advocate for the elimination of fines in Georgia public libraries.
The Tifton Gazette
Atlantic and Southern Equipment, ABAC partner on tractor
From Staff Reports
Students studying at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College’s J.G. Woodroof Farm and ABAC arena and stables were recently presented the use of a brand new 2023 Massey Ferguson 4700 series tractor by Atlantic and Southern Equipment, LLC. Students will have the use of the tractor for an entire year, thanks to Brady Mercer and Wesley Stephens, Sales Representatives with Atlantic and Southern.
Albany Herald
Almost as much as college is for education, it’s also where young adults — many for the first time — experience living on their own and learning to socialize. College is also where many go — intentionally or not — to fall in love. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Albany State University took a trip down Memory Lane with couples who met at the university, fell in love and united as husband and wife.
Connect Savannah
By Chantel Britton
Tybee Island, warmly regarded as Savannah’s beach, is a place known for its coastal charm, beautiful beaches and tight-knit community. Beyond its sandy shores and cozy condos, the island also boasts a rich history dating back to the founding of the state of Georgia. Some aspects of Tybee’s history are well known — for example, its military significance during the Civil War and beyond — but other aspects have long gone untold. This has been the case for Tybee’s Black history, but over the last few years local organizers have come together to change that. Last spring, the Tybee Island Black History Trail was unveiled, providing informative glimpses into the history and heritage of the island’s Black population. …The effort to bring this trail to fruition was catalyzed a few years ago during the early stages of the pandemic after Julia Pearce and Pat Leiby of TybeeMLK, the island’s human rights organization, were invited by Tybee’s city manager to take a tour with the island’s historical society. …The two swiftly got to work and were joined by Amy Potter and Joyah Mitchell of Georgia Southern University and Sarah Jones of Tybee Island Historical Society to conduct the detailed and ongoing research for the trail.
Fox5 Atlanta
UGA study finds many pain sufferers would change, cancel plans based on weather ‘pain forecast’
By Beth Galvin
If you live with chronic pain, you probably know when the weather is changing, because you can feel it. People who live with joint pain may experience flare-ups during the colder, wetter days of winter, while those with migraine headaches can sometimes feel changes in the barometric pressure long before storms move in. University of Georgia geography/atmospheric sciences lecturer Christopher Elcik recently led a study surveying 4,600 people, many of them chronic pain sufferers.
Self
How Bad Is It to Eat Potatoes That Have Sprouted a Bunch of Eyes?
A sketchy spud can really mess with your stomach.
By Korin Miller
It’s annoyingly easy to store a bunch of potatoes in your kitchen and simply forget they ever existed. Often it’s not until that craving for a perfectly fluffy mash hits and you track down your long-lost spuds that you might discover they’re covered in spindly sprouts. Your potato suddenly looks like a little alien…. But it’s still safe to eat, right? …So what happens if you chow down on a potato that’s well past its prime? You might get hit with headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea, Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, PhD, the director of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia, tells SELF. In one older study, for example, researchers had people eat mashed potatoes that contained progressively higher levels of glycoalkaloids and found that a participant started throwing up about four hours after having a dose that was considered the upper limit of safety.
Southeast AgNet Radio Network
Back to the Basics: UGA Extension Reminds Cotton Growers About Importance of Soil Fertility
By Clint Thompson
The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia Cotton Team encourage growers to get back to the basics with regards to soil fertility. Glen Harris, UGA Extension soil specialist, discussed that topic with AgNet Media’s Randall Weiseman during the recent GCC annual meeting in Tifton, Georgia.
WSB-TV
‘Well poised to populate cities:’ UGA says invasive species of spiders from Japan are here to stay
By Sam Sachs, WSBTV.com
When it comes to where to lay their webs, it seems the Joro spiders in Georgia are here to stay. According to research by the University of Georgia, the Joros, which have been in Georgia since 2013, are very “urban-tolerant” and are spreading across the southeastern U.S. in ways other spiders don’t. The university research says that’s because they’re able to adapt to the auditory and vibrational quirks of the areas near roads and in cities, where other spiders and animals can’t or don’t.
The Union-Recorder
Hardin introduced as new GCSU police chief
Billy Hobbs
Wesley S. Hardin is the new director of the Department of Public Safety and chief of police at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville. …The new GCSU police chief said he looks forward to working with the other law enforcement partners in the community, including the Milledgeville Police Department and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office to help maximize the resources and to provide for the betterment of the community, “because I believe we’re all one.”
Grice Connect
Project REACH Bulloch seeks input from African American and Hispanic/Latino community members
Brandon Robinson
Researchers from Georgia Southern University invite African American and Hispanic/Latino/a community members to share their views on health and well-being in Statesboro and Bulloch County. Drs. Stacy Smallwood and Kristina Patterson are leading a project to find legal solutions to local racial and ethnic health disparities. …The project is supported by seed funding from Georgia Southern University’s Faculty Research Council.
919th Special Operations Wing
Reserve general comes full circle, inspires next generation to serve
By Master Sgt. Bobby Pilch
367th Recruiting Group, Air Force Reserve Command
Brigadier General Kelvin D. McElroy, Air Force Reserve Command’s Force Generation Center commander, took the stage at Northeast High School in Macon, Georgia to engage and inspire the next generation of potential service members and leaders during a GO Inspire event Feb. 8. McElroy, a fellow ‘Raider’ and alumnus, shared his story of growing up in the local historic area of Fort Hill and how faith, determination, and education shaped his life and put him on a path to serving in the military. …While television sparked his curiosity and allowed him to see a bigger picture of life beyond the neighborhood boundaries, pursuing sports and educational goals came into focus. “My teachers and coaches saw something in me during my senior year,” McElroy said. “They made the alignment and relationships that allowed me to attend Fort Valley State University on a football scholarship. I had the desire in my mind that I wanted to be something great, serve our nation, and continue to grow and mature.” It wasn’t until a chance meeting at the college student center that McElroy would find himself navigating toward his path in the military through the U.S. Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
GSU urged to rescind lawyer’s honor over social media posts
Atlanta attorney accused of antisemitic rhetoric
By Rosie Manins
Georgia State University is being pressured to rescind an honor bestowed upon an alumnus attorney whose public social media posts about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have offended dozens of Georgians, including current and former judges and legislators. The university included Atlanta lawyer Ali Awad in its latest annual “40 Under 40″ awards program, which recognizes and celebrates the most influential and impactful graduates who embody the institution’s values.
Global Atlanta
Commentary: Georgia Needs More Doctors, But I Can’t Be One of Them
After I graduated college, I worked as a medical interpreter at a clinic along Atlanta’s Buford Highway corridor. I spent my days speaking Spanish with patients, nearly all of whom came from low-income communities. Many had trouble understanding their mostly white doctors due to language barriers and cultural differences. Some patients even lived in fear of immigration authorities. I recall one family who worried that seeking treatment for their little girl’s third-degree burns would result in a call to ICE. I was 22 at the time and already passionate about medicine. After my time there, I felt reassured that I wanted to devote my career toward healing the most vulnerable Georgians. Only then did I discover that my own immigration status stood in the way. …Medicine isn’t the only area where Georgia sees undocumented people as a “problem.” I have long faced barriers to my education and professional dreams. I was in my high school’s gifted program, but my junior year, I discovered the University System of Georgia Board of Regents had banned undocumented students from admission to the state’s public universities. Yet nearly all other states — 47 total– allow undocumented students to attend public college.
Higher Education News:
Higher Ed Dive
Education Department to ease FAFSA verification requirements this year
The agency is temporarily rolling back administrative requirements as colleges grapple with an abridged financial aid timeline.
Laura Spitalniak, Staff Reporter
The U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday it will reduce verification requirements this year for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid amid the rocky release of the updated form. The adjustments are intended to make it easier for colleges to process student records and issue financial aid officers during this cycle’s abbreviated timeline. The Education Department will require college financial aid offices to verify fewer FAFSA applications than in previous years. The agency said it now receives the majority of income data from the IRS, whose information doesn’t need to be verified. The agency will also provide deadline flexibility for colleges that need to recertify their eligibility for receiving federal financial aid.
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Inside Higher Ed
College Board Fined for Selling Student Data
By Liam Knox
The College Board, the nonprofit that owns and administers the SAT and PSAT as well as AP tests, will pay a $750,000 settlement to the New York State attorney general’s office for illegally sharing and selling students’ personal data collected through its exams. The settlement, announced Tuesday, also prohibits the College Board from “monetizing New York students’ data” collected through contracts with the state’s public school districts and from asking students taking exams for permission to share data. “Students have more than enough to be stressed about when they take college entrance exams and shouldn’t have to worry about their personal information being bought and sold,” New York attorney general Letitia James said in a statement.
Inside Higher Ed
Oklahoma Governor Calls for Consolidation of State Higher Ed
By Jessica Blake
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt caught some lawmakers off guard on Monday when he called for the consolidation of public colleges and universities in his State of the State speech, KOSU Radio reported. The governor did not provide details about which specific institutions he believes should be merged, but he said he wants state lawmakers to approve legislation that incentivizes higher education models that promote workforce development. It’s an effort to encourage the sharing of administrative costs among small institutions and eliminate duplicative programs, Stitt’s spokesperson Abegail Cave told KOSU.