Savannah Morning News
Transportation, housing play prominent at Savannah Chamber legislative listening sessions
Destini Ambus and Evan Lasseter
A conference room on the top floor of the James H. “Sloppy” Floyd Veterans Memorial Building in Downtown Atlanta was packed Thursday to nearly standing-room only. Leaders from across the Coastal Empire sat for presentations from state agencies on economic development, education and transportation. … Chancellor of the Georgia University System Sonny Perdue spoke briefly about the addition of both a medical school and a dental school to the Georgia Southern University Armstrong campus. The new campus of Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia has already enrolled 40 medical students there, according to Perdue, and will expand in the future. Earlier this month, Gov. Brian Kemp announced a budget proposal that included $178 million for the construction of a dental school at Georgia Southern.
Marietta Daily Journal
‘A Gateway Building’: KSU Breaks Ground on $60M Marietta Facility
The first dirt has been turned on a brand new $60 million interdisciplinary research facility at Kennesaw State University’s Marietta campus geared specifically to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, or STEM, subjects. The 70,000-square-foot, three-story building is expected to open for the fall 2025 semester, said Kathy Schwaig, KSU’s president. …Among those at the groundbreaking was Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia. “Our university is a creation of knowledge,” Perdue said. “The faculty and the researchers designing products and services for the future really makes this thing work. Cobb County’s done very well in economic development, but when we think about what drives that cycle of economic development is talent flow.” Perdue said that the lessons taught in science, technology, engineering and mathematics classes might apply for jobs that may not even exist yet. “STEM is a high-demand career field,” Perdue said. “It’s not your jobs of yesterday.”
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Albany CEO
Propel: GSW’s Campaign for Scholarships concluded at Georgia Southwestern State University’s(GSW) second annual Gold Force Gala on Saturday, Jan. 27, where the final total of $1,250,053 was announced to the 300 guests in attendance at the black-tie fundraiser. “I extend heartfelt gratitude to the generous donors whose support helped us surpass our $1 million goal by 25 percent,” said Stephen Snyder, assistant vice president for Advancement and GSW Foundation executive director. “This achievement exemplifies the power of collective goodwill and shared commitment to Georgia Southwestern. Our GSW Advancement team is filled with pride at the success of our second annual Gold Force Gala and the scholarship fundraising campaign.”
Seed World
Researchers Discover Opportunity to ‘Lock the Door’ on SCN
By Compiled by Staff
Researchers have discovered an unexpected way to prevent soybean cyst nematode (SCN) from attacking soybeans. New research shows that nematodes that can reproduce on Peking genetic resistance appear to be exploiting a single gene – specifically the GmSNAP02 gene. When the gene loses function, SCN is unable to successfully access the soybean plan. Resistant soybean varieties like PI 90763 and PI 437654 appear to depend on exactly this method of defense, though how resistance was achieved was not known before now. “Think of it like a lock-and-key model, where SCN is the key and GmSNAP02 is the lock,” explained Melissa Mitchum, professor in the College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia and a member of the research team that made the discovery, in a press release. “If you get rid of that lock, the nematode can’t access the plant. You make the parasite ineffective.” Mitchum said the gene discovery could have a “relatively immediate impact for farmers”, helping reduce SCN populations in fields with high and aggressive SCN populations where PI 88788 has been planted repeatedly.
WRBL
Georgia high school theater students flock to Columbus this year in record numbers
by: Chuck Williams
If you have been out and about in downtown Columbus the last two days; you have noticed thousands of high school students roaming the streets. The annual Georgia Thespian Conference is back in town. ThesCon is well underway at the Trade Center. But they students are not contained to Front Avenue. They are all over town. …That’s what the 2024 Georgia Thespian Conference this weekend in downtown Columbus feels like – Larger than Life. …Columbus State is banking on some of the theater students seeing what the university has to offer and exploring it as a college choice, says Michael Tullier, Columbus State spokesperson. “It’s an incredible opportunity for the whole community, including the university to showcase what Columbus has to offer,” Tullier said. “We have prospective students on our stages. We have them in our museums. We have got them at Coca-Cola Space Science Center. They are really getting to see the best of what Columbus State, Uptown Columbus, and what the entire community has to offer. We are just excited to be able to roll out the red carpet and along the way we hope that many of them will chose Columbus State as their next college home.”
Space Daily
One Guardian: Opportunity Leads A Soldier To Space
by Mr. Matt Ebarb for AFNS News
U.S. Space Force Major Julius Lee carries more than just the notes and instructions he needs daily in his Green Book. Within its pages lies an early service photo of his father – the man who inspired the journey he is on today. Little did Lee, or his father and grandfather who served before him, know the pioneering twist this third generation servicemember’s path would take. “Being raised in the Army as a dependent and serving in the Army for nearly 14 years, I will always be a Soldier in some way, shape or form; or as they say in the Army, a Soldier for life.” said Lee, who began his Army career in December 2008 after graduating from the University of South Carolina at Aiken and commissioning out of Augusta University. After a decade-and-a-half in green and carrying on the family’s legacy, the birth of the United States Space Force opened a new world of possibilities for Lee. However, the decision took a couple of years, and a few wise words from a mentor, to come to fruition.
The West Georgian
UWG Biology Alumni Speaks on Chattahoochee River Keeping
The Biology Program and the Special Events Committee at the University of West Georgia held its second seminar of the spring 2024 Biology seminar series last Friday, which welcomed UWG alumni Gillian Barber back onto campus as a guest speaker.
By Jeff Igbokwe
The Biology Program and the Special Events Committee at the University of West Georgia held its second seminar of the spring 2024 Biology seminar series last Friday, which welcomed UWG alumni Gillian Barber back onto campus as a guest speaker. Barber attended UWG from 2018 to 2019, graduating with a BS in Biology and Honors distinction. Barber made her return to campus to give current students interested in a career in Environmental Biology guidance on how to get involved in the field as well as how to properly manage school and your mental health. She shared with them her career journey so far, from being a student at UWG to her current work as a fellow at Chattahoochee River Keeper (CRK), a fellow meaning a person specializing in a specific field post formal education.
41NBC
Hundreds gather for Math Puzzle Challenge at Middle Georgia State University
Fiona King
Hundreds of high school students from schools across Middle Georgia and the state gathered at Middle Georgia State University (MGA) on Friday for the Mathematical Puzzle Programs Challenge. The event featured more than 200 students competing against each other in various math puzzles. The challenge started at 9 a.m., and the students had until 1 p.m. to finish. The goal of the event was to help students get excited about math and to make them less fearful of it.
WTOC
Georgia Southern kicks off Black History month
By WTOC Staff
Thursday, Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah kicked off Black Heritage month. This year’s theme is The Power of Unity. All campuses will have events throughout the month celebrating black history.
AllOnGeorgia
Georgia Southern receives grant to support University String Camerata tour
The Georgia Southern University String Camerata has received a grant of nearly $55,000 from the Halle Foundation to support the ensemble’s educational tour of Germany. During this tour, Georgia Southern string players will experience German composers, music history and music culture in an authentic manner that players do not get in a typical home setting.
WRBL
CSU and National Infantry Museum pair up to host Korean War panel
by: Olivia Yepez
An ongoing speaker series hosted by Columbus State University (CSU) continued on Thursday night. Guests gathered at the National Infantry Museum at 7 p.m. for the third panel and fourth discussion addressing the legacy of the Korean War. …The panel discussion was in-part made possible through CSU’s Hallock Endowment for Military History. In alignment with this speaker series, CSU students will take a trip to Korea in summer 2024. The trip is funded in-part by the Hallock Endowment and charitable donations.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA grad — whose coaching career began at an Athens high school— named NFL head coach
Caitlyn Stroh-Page
Mike Macdonald, who was a Georgia football graduate assistant under Mark Richt and an assistant coach at Cedar Shoals high school in 2008, was named Seattle Seahawks head coach on Wednesday. Macdonald joins an exclusive list of Georgia graduates who have been named NFL head coaches, including John Rauch and Marion Campbell, who both played for the Bulldogs and served in a coaching capacity. Macdonald, who did not play football at UGA but graduated from the school, worked for Richt’s program from 2010-2013 before being hired into his first NFL opportunity with the Baltimore Ravens.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
‘Heart and soul.’ Columbus school dedicates court to beloved coach battling cancer
By Mark Rice, Ledger-Enquirer
This story was originally published by the Ledger-Enquirer.
Principal Robert Ogburn calls Jay Wilson “the heart and soul” of Veterans Memorial Middle School in Columbus, Georgia. Now, anyone who walks into the gym will see the evidence. In a ceremony last month, the school’s basketball court was named Jay Wilson Court in honor of the beloved educator who is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer. …Jay grew up in Columbus. He attended Northside Elementary School (now named Allen), Arnold Junior High School (now named Arnold Magnet Academy), Hardaway High School and Columbus College (now named Columbus State University). His goal when he became a teacher was to make a positive difference in at least one child’s life. January’s ceremony showed he has achieved well beyond that standard.
Athens Banner-Herald
Search for suspect in UGA’s student’s death results in reward offer
Wayne Ford
Authorities announced recently that a $10,000 reward is offered for information that leads to the arrest of a man wanted on charges stemming from a car crash in Winder that claimed the life of a University of Georgia doctoral student. The Feb. 13, 2023, crash killed Beth Elaine Buchanan, 23, who was studying for a doctoral degree in psychology. Investigators charged Cesar L. Raudales Macias, 26, with vehicular homicide, drunk driving and driving on the wrong side of the road. Macias was hospitalized after the crash, but upon his release he disappeared, according to the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office. He was last seen at his parents’ home in Athens.
Higher Education News:
Higher Ed Dive
Colleges begin pushing back deadlines amid FAFSA delay
The moves come after the U.S. Department of Education said it wouldn’t transmit Free Application for Federal Student Aid data to colleges until March.
By Lilah Burke
Dive Brief:
Some colleges are pushing back their enrollment, application and financial aid deadlines after the U.S. Department of Education announced it wouldn’t transmit Free Application for Federal Student Aid information to colleges until March. Kalamazoo College, Lewis & Clark College, and Oregon State University have pushed their commitment deadlines to June 1 for some students. Widener University said it would suspend its May 1 deadline and consider another. Marquette University said it will not be enforcing its financial aid priority deadline of Feb 1. The University of New Hampshire said it planned to keep its admissions application open until more information is available about the timing of award information.
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Inside Higher Ed
New Report Suggests Supports for Nontraditional ‘Comebackers’
By Jessica Blake
A new report by California Competes, a nonpartisan research organization, identifies “promising practices” being implemented at state institutions to bolster support for “comebackers”—nontraditional learners who re-enrolled after stopping out. The report’s findings, released today, were drawn from 50 interviews with students and staff who’ve participated in a degree-attainment initiative called CaliforniaAttain! It analyzes which institutional strategies helped these students earn their degrees upon returning to college and suggests how institutions across the state can foster similar approaches.
Higher Ed Dive
Opinion // President Speaks
Colleges need a deliberate online strategy to better serve first-generation students
Higher education leaders won’t meet the moment if their virtual courses merely replicate face-to-face learning, Western Governors University’s leader says.
By Scott Pulsipher (Scott Pulsipher is the president of Western Governors University, a nonprofit online institution headquartered in Salt Lake City.)
A majority of college students, around 70%, are now enrolled in at least one online course, signaling a promising shift that could benefit learners who have historically been let down by traditional education models. Most students are readily embracing this tech-enabled future, according to new research from WGU Labs, the research and innovation arm of Western Governors University. The organization surveyed more than 3,000 students across nine diverse institutions including community colleges, private and public four-year institutions, and primarily online, not-for-profit colleges. At least 80% of respondents agreed that online and hybrid are effective formats of learning. More than 70% agreed that ed tech not only makes their courses more engaging, but also helps them more effectively learn course material. First-generation learners were especially positive about the shift online.
Inside Higher Ed
Big Ten, Southeastern Conferences Create Joint Advisory Board
By Doug Lederman
The two biggest and most powerful conferences in big-time college athletics are joining forces to develop a joint committee to advise the two leagues about the future of college athletics and how they might respond. The announcement Friday by the Big Ten and Southeastern Conferences would barely be noticeable coming from any other leagues. But given that the Big Ten and Southeastern leagues are generally seen as the two behemoths in big-time college sports—followed at a distance by the Atlantic Coast and Big 12 Conferences—their decision to team up is likely to add to fears among other major sports programs that the most powerful among them might be willing to walk away from their peers and forge ahead on their own, as some speculated amid the latest round of conference realignment last fall.