WGAU Radio
UGA lines up spring commencement speakers
By Tim Bryant
The University of Georgia lines up speakers for this year’s spring commencement exercises: former UGA All-American swimmer Allison Schmitt, who has 10 Olympic medals, will speak to this year’s graduating undergrads, while UGA engineering professor Jenna Jambeck will speak to the University’s graduate students in graduation ceremonies that will take place May 10 in Sanford Stadium.
autoblog
The countdown is on to the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), the nation’s premier academic competition for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). After advancing from the HCASC national qualifying tournaments held in February, the top 32 HBCU student teams will compete in the National Championship Tournament at American Honda’s corporate campus in Torrance, California. The winning school will earn the HCASC National Championship title and a portion of the more than $500,000 in institutional grants provided by Honda. …The 2024 HCASC participating HBCUs are: …Albany State University …Fort Valley State University
Braselton News Today
Hoschton’s Ethridge honored at Women of UNG luncheon
Ten female students and three alumnae were honored for their leadership by the Women of UNG on March 3. Larkin Ethridge, of Hoschton, was among those honored. Ethridge is a senior pursuing a degree in design and technology for theatre.
Energy.Gov
Fostering Great Minds and Great Ideas
…The Fostering Great Minds and Great Ideas tour, led by Office of Science Director Asmeret Asefaw Berhe, has been an overwhelming success. The Office of Science is committed to shaping the future of the U.S. science and technology workforce. …To this end, Director Berhe has prioritized engaging with emerging research institutions (ERIs), historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and minority serving institutions (MSIs). …The triad of trips started in Atlanta in October 2023 with a visit to four historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs): Morehouse College, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, and Fort Valley State University. For the pilot trip of the series, the Office of Science rallied 18 representatives from eight of the national labs. This group included four lab directors! Director Berhe remarked that during the trip the enthusiasm from the institutions was incredible. She could just feel the excitement coming from a place like Fort Valley State University, which is small and not accustomed to receiving such attention.
Augusta Business Daily
Asking the key questions to make your organization better
Dr. Rick Franza
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of attending a retreat for the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) Foundation, which I am honored to serve on its Board. While there were many highlights to the retreat, one that really stood out to me was a presentation and discussion led by Dr. Mike Comer, President of The Hayes Group. The Hayes Group is a consulting firm that specializes in organizational and individual development, including working with boards and providing executive coaching. …However, in today’s column, I want to focus on another portion of Dr. Comer’s presentation, in which he addressed how board members can be better servant leaders for their organization by asking key questions. …In today’s column, I will address what I think are the best of these questions and why they are so important to organizational success.
The City Menus
Empowering minds: UWG focuses on well-being in annual Women Empowering Women event
The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business celebrated the strength and resilience of women representing diverse experiences during the Women Empowering Women Luncheon on March 8 in honor of International Women’s Day. Tramaine EL-Amin, the vice president for Mental Health First Aid USA at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Washington, D.C., offered words of inspiration to the women of UWG’s community, focusing on mental health and its role in the workplace.
WRBL
CSU hosts Third Annual Exceptional Science Fair for students with learning disabilities
by: Leslie Hudgins
Wednesday morning, Columbus State University’s Special Education Program hosted its third annual Exceptional Science Fair to provide a unique and interactive learning experience for students with learning disabilities in Muscogee county. The event was held at the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Center, as a collaborative effort between Columbus State University (CSU) and the Muscogee County School District. To offer students with learning disabilities the opportunity to engage in hands-on science activities. Mary Hendricks a Professor of Special Education at Columbus State University, says the science fair promotes inclusivity and accessibility in education, regardless of their learning abilities.
13WMAZ
My Teacher is Tops: Mr. Jaquavious Hunt at Miller Magnet Middle School
Author: Alexandria Dorsey
At most schools, exploratory classes, called specials, are a small part of a student’s academic day. But at Miller Magnet Middle School, the arts take center stage and this week’s Top Teacher is in the spotlight. Mr. Jaquavius Hunt is a Fort Valley State University graduate and has been teaching at Miller Magnet Middle School for five years.
Morning AgClips
Consumer Interest in Sustainability Should Influence How Retailers Market Local Food
Studies were based on data from a web-based survey about consumer interest in sustainability
Two recently published studies by University of Georgia researchers show that the consumers surveyed believe buying local is a more sustainable option, but they also value the convenience of online shopping and prefer that retailers provide basic information about the environmental impact of local products in the digital marketplace. Driven by increasing consumer interest in buying local and concerns about the impact of agricultural production systems on a changing climate, the studies were based on data from a web-based survey about consumer interest in sustainability, information about food production and online marketing preferences, said Jessica Holt, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC) in UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
WRDW
First Alert Weather Extra: Campbell Vaughn interview on pollen
Newscast talk with Campbell Vaughn, UGA College of Agriculture
Cotton Grower
Shurley: Cautious But Steady Outlook for Cotton and Prices
By Dr. Don Shurley (professor emeritus in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Georgia)
Old crop prices (May and July futures) have lost some luster but still stand around 95 cents – down from the near $1.00 level of just a couple of weeks ago. So, old crop has given back about a nickel since the peak. New crop December futures seems to be happy zigzagging mostly in the area of 83 to 85 cents. The spread between old crop (May) and new crop (December) has declined (narrowed) by about 4 to 6 cents – from almost 16 cents May over December to now less than 12 cents. If this spread continues to narrow, that means old crop declines in relation to new crop and/or new crop increases in relation to old crop.
Times-Georgian
UWG’s Jackson named GSC Tournament MOP
By UWG Athletics
After leading the University of West Georgia Men’s Basketball team to a GSC Championship on Sunday, Zawdie Jackson and Camron Donatlan were recognized by the conference. Jackson was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player and Donatlan was named to the All-Tournament team.
BVM Sports
Aaron James Wiliams Named Sun Belt Men’s Tennis Player of the Week
Georgia Southern sophomore Aaron James Wiliams has been named the Sun Belt Conference Men’s Tennis Player of the Week, announced today by league officials. Williams had a perfect week for the Eagles, going 3-0 in both singles and doubles as Georgia Southern picked up three wins to even its record to 7-7 this year.
The Augusta Chronicle
Georgia basketball rallies to avoid SEC Tournament upset by Missouri
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
The Georgia basketball season isn’t over just yet. The Bulldogs kept it going late Wednesday night by rallying to a 64-59 victory over Missouri by scoring the final 12 points of the game in an SEC Tournament first-round matchup. That helped the Bulldogs avoid doing something no team had done since December, losing to a Tigers team that went 0-18 in league play this season. …Georgia won its first SEC Tournament game since 2020 when the tournament was halted due to COVID.
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BVM Sports
Reece Coleman Transitions to Professional Golf After Success with Georgia Southern
By BVM Sportsdesk
Reece Coleman, a collegiate golfer, is making the transition to professional golf, following a successful career at Anderson University and Georgia Southern. …Reece plans to participate in the PGA Tour of Americas and aims to eventually play on the PGA Tour after graduating.
The Augusta Chronicle
UGA coach Kirby Smart teams with columnist Loran Smith to author book on championship season
Chris Starrs, Special to the Athens Banner-Herald
Loran Smith has been aligned with University of Georgia athletics for more than 60 years and has been witness to more Bulldogs sports lore than anyone. And when the Bulldogs won the 2021 national football championship, Smith – the author of more than 20 books, ranging in subject matter from Larry Munson to The Masters, but focused primarily on UGA football – was well aware of the historical significance of the achievement and met with head coach Kirby Smart to talk about a potential collaboration on a book.
Continental Athletic Conference
Georgia Gwinnett College’s O’Saben, Fisher’s Cuadrado Receive CAC Baseball Weekly Awards
Strong weeks on the diamond have had Georgia Gwinnett College senior Blaze O’Saben and Fisher College (Massachusetts) junior Yadriel Cuadrado earning the Continental Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter and Pitcher of the Week awards. O’Saben, the Hitter of the Week, had a productive week from the leadoff spot in the batting order for the No. 2-ranked Grizzlies, with a .600 batting average and four multiple-hit games. He scored 13 runs and had 13 RBI.
Higher Education News:
Higher Ed Dive
College Board declares launch of shorter, digital SAT a success
The new test, debuting this month in the U.S., takes less time to complete and has shorter passages for the reading and writing sections.
Kara Arundel, Senior Reporter
A shorter and online version of the SAT college admission exam debuted Saturday, and the College Board — the company behind the test — has already declared the switch from the longer, paper version a success. …The digital SAT is shorter, clocking in at just over two hours, compared to three hours for the former paper and pencil test. For the new version, students may use their own computers or school-issued devices, or they can borrow a device from the College Board. The new test has shorter passages for the reading and writing sections, and students can bring their own calculator or use a built-in graphing calculator.
Inside Higher Ed
Two NY Institutions’ Programs, Missions Shift With the Times
Clarkson University is transferring 16 graduate teacher education programs to Siena College in a deal both institutions expect to help them weather enrollment shifts.
By Kathryn Palmer
As the pool of potential college students continues to shrink, some institutions are trying to distinguish themselves in an increasingly competitive market by shifting or refining their academic focus. That mindset is part of what led Clarkson University, which is focused on building its reputation in STEM disciplines, to transfer 16 teacher education graduate programs to Siena College in a deal both institutions expect to be finalized in June, pending approval from the New York State Education Department.
Inside Higher Ed
Boards in Arizona, Hawaii, Michigan and Wisconsin, have faced shake-ups and threats of removal recently amid culture war clashes and self-inflicted controversies.
By Josh Moody
Brazen scandals, personal squabbles and partisan politics have prompted shake-ups and recent threats to remove members of governing boards in four states: Arizona, Hawaii, Michigan and Wisconsin. In some cases, such as at Michigan State University, board members have been accused of dramatic misbehavior—including accepting donor kickbacks and retaliating against faculty. In others, such as at the Universities of Wisconsin system, they are caught up in political headwinds, under pressure from conservative lawmakers over support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs. While the removal of governing board members is rare, it often reflects broader financial, administrative or political tensions that can sow distrust and impede the mission of public institutions of higher education—especially when the regents or trustees themselves invite the controversy.
Inside Higher Ed
Conservatives Plot Ways to ‘Take Heads’ and Defeat DEI
By Katherine Knott
Conservative researchers and activists see a window of opportunity in their long-running war on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies. At a Washington, D.C., event Wednesday called “Seizing the Moment to Defeat DEI,” hosted by the Heritage Foundation, panelists said several factors—the upcoming presidential election, a push at the state level to end DEI programs at colleges and universities and Americans’ increasing skepticism of higher education—present a chance to more firmly uproot the policies that they say have taken hold in higher education as well as the military, the media and corporate America.
Inside Higher Ed
Monroe Community College Students Protest Police Rifles on Campus
By Sara Weissman
Students at Monroe Community College in New York are objecting a decision to allow campus safety officers to carry long rifles on campus. Some students held a protest rally on Monday to voice their opposition, Rochester First reported. News 10, an NBC affiliate, showed students marching with signs that read “our campus, our tuition, our choice” and “don’t militarize MCC.”
Inside Higher Ed
Moody’s Lowers University of Arizona Bond Rating to Negative
By Josh Moody
Moody’s Investors Service has downgraded the University of Arizona’s bond rating to negative amid the fallout of a financial crisis that has left the university struggling with a $177 million shortfall. “The revision of the outlook to negative is driven by uncertainty around the pace of the university’s operating performance recovery following identification of a structural imbalance along with continued integration risk associated with University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC),” Moody’s said in a statement about the decision. “Inability to right size operations in a relatively short period of time would further narrow the university’s already thin liquidity profile.” The ratings organization also raised concerns about “turnover in management, recent evidence of weaker financial monitoring, and ongoing governance scrutiny,” as well as other issues at UA.
Cybersecurity Dive
Google Cloud CISO spots asymmetric advantage for AI in defense
Organizations have the upper hand in using generative AI for security because it’s trained on data they own and context they tune against it, Phil Venables says.
Matt Kapko, Senior Reporter
Google Cloud’s VP and CISO Phil Venables is unequivocally convinced generative AI can and will give defenders an advantage over attackers, and by quite a significant margin in the next three to five years. Venables and his colleagues at Google argue AI can reverse the defender’s dilemma, a “classic truism, if not cliche, that attackers only have to be right once but defenders have to be right all the time,” he told Cybersecurity Dive. Google launched the AI Cyber Defense Initiative last month to advance the development of AI for digital security.
Cybersecurity Dive
White House meets with UnitedHealth, industry groups on Change Healthcare cyberattack fallout
Officials called on payers to cut red tape and offer financial support to providers, including advanced payments.
Emily Olsen, Reporter
Dive Brief:
Officials from the White House and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services held a meeting on Tuesday with UnitedHealth and other industry groups to discuss the cyberattack at Change Healthcare, which has disrupted the healthcare sector for three weeks. HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden argued the government and the healthcare industry need to work together to support providers, and that insurers should help providers as they face mounting financial strain. At the roundtable, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will provide guidance to states on how to support Medicaid providers during the ongoing outage at the technology firm, which has impacted claims processing and other critical operations.