The Georgia Virtue
Speaker Jon Burns Unveils Capitol Portrait of Late Speaker David Ralston
Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) and other leaders unveiled a portrait in memory of the late House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) that will be permanently displayed outside of the House Chamber in the Capitol. … “David Ralston was a kid from a small town in North Georgia who became one of Georgia’s most distinguished public servants, someone who could bring people together no matter their differences and find a civil and respectful way to the best solution for Georgia,” said former Governor Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia. “I first experienced this when we served together in the state Senate, and it was a privilege to watch my friend continue to build bridges as he became the longest-serving state House speaker in the United States. It is only fitting his portrait hangs here, in the people’s capitol, to remind us of all we should aspire to in service to this state and its great citizens.”
Albany State University
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has announced it will conduct national searches to find the next presidents of Albany State University (ASU) and Savannah State University (SSU). ASU President Marion Ross Fedrick announced last month her plan to accept a new role at Georgia State University as executive vice president and chief of staff, effective July 1, 2024. Fedrick will additionally serve as a senior advisor to Chancellor Sonny Perdue for initiatives related to the system’s three public historically Black colleges and universities, which include ASU, SSU and Fort Valley State University. Cynthia Robinson Alexander, previously USG’s associate vice chancellor for finance, has served as interim president of SSU since July 2023 after the departure of President Kimberly Ballard-Washington. She will continue to serve as interim president during this time.
WJCL
National presidential search announced for Savannah State University
Cynthia Robinson Alexander has served as interim president since President Kimberly Ballard departed in July 2023
Kyron Neveaux, Reporter
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) has announced it will conduct national searches to find the next president of Savannah State University (SSU) and Albany State University (ASU). Cynthia Robinson Alexander, previously USG’s associate vice chancellor for finance, has served as interim president of SSU since July 2023 after President Kimberly Ballard-Washington’s departure. She will continue to serve as interim president during this time. According to USG, Savannah State increased enrollment to 3,099 students in the fall of 2023. USG will now initiate national searches to find the universities’ next leaders.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA students given credit for help in rescue during submerged vehicle incident
Caitlyn Stroh-Page
Five University of Georgia students were given major kudos by the Burke County Sheriff’s Office. According to a post on the sheriff’s office Facebook page, the students saw a vehicle roll into a creek on Ellison Bridge Road in Sardis and “without hesitation jumped in the water and pulled the driver and two children out of the vehicle.” The Facebook post said the ‘heroes’ were Jane McArdle, Mary McCollum, Eleanor Cart, Clarke Jones and Kaitlyn Iannace. Sardis is located about an hour south of Augusta.
See also:
Six Mile Post
Professor Nancy Applegate Honored as Mace Bearer
Abigail Henderson, Features Editor
GHC faculty has selected Professor of English, Nancy Applegate, as the honored Mace Bearer for this year’s commencement ceremony, which will take place on May 9. “Dr. Applegate is a well-respected leader within the faculty at GHC, and we are thrilled she is the winner of the 2024 Mace Bearer Award,” Kim Subacz, associate professor of biology and faculty senate president said. The Mace Bearer’s role is to lead the academic procession while carrying the Mace. More than a ceremonial club, the Mace represents a deep commitment to values such as academic freedom, authority and the pursuit of truth. This honor, deeply rooted in academic tradition, recognizes her distinguished service and commitment to the GHC community.
Albany Herald
Albany State students, family celebrate achievements during Honors Day
By Alan Mauldin
For Ella Okoro, an educational journey that began at Albany State University will take her to California in a few months for a summer internship in the Golden State as she pursues her goal to become a software engineer. The rising senior was one of more than 1,000 Albany State students who were recognized during Thursday’s Honors Day program at the university’s West Campus. A sophomore this year, the Albany native, who is pursuing a computer science degree with math emphasis, is on track to graduate a year early as part of the class of 2025.
The Augusta Chronicle
Medical College of Georgia celebrates Match Day 2024
Katie Goodale
The class of 2024 poses for a picture before the Medical College of Georgia’s Match Day at SRP Park in North Augusta, S.C., on Friday, March 15, 2024. 244 students received their residency letters today and will complete their residency in 36 states.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State Presidential Bus Tour reaches out to high school seniors
Alan Mauldin
Seniors, and a few juniors from Dougherty High School, Monroe High School and Westover High School made a visit to Albany State University on Friday. Students had the opportunity to be accepted on the spot during the annual Presidential Bus Tour that also included visits to Dawson, Macon and Montezuma.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s nurse shortage hasn’t improved but could get worse
Georgia is projected to have the nation’s second-largest shortage of registered nurses by 2035.
By Michael Scaturro – Special to the AJC
A nationwide shortage of nurses is being felt in Georgia, where advocates are pressing lawmakers to make the profession safer and more financially rewarding. “Yes, there is a nursing shortage and it is critical,” Whitney A. Nash, Dean, Waters College of Health Professions & Professor of Nursing Georgia Southern University, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It is impacting both urban and rural areas.” Georgia has 21% fewer registered nurses than it needs, according to the federal Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA). The problem, if not addressed, could get worse: Georgia is expected to see the second-highest estimated shortage among U.S. states by 2035 – despite an increasing population and an upcoming mass retirement of baby boomers, HRSA said.
Urbanize Atlanta
Crane watch: Tech Square tower begins ascent over Midtown
Georgia Tech district’s third phase includes two buildings totaling 416,500 square feet
Josh Green
A Midtown project more than four years in the making is starting to visibly come out of the ground, expanding Georgia Tech’s footprint in Atlanta’s new high-rise epicenter. Situated at the northwest corner of West Peachtree and 5th streets, infrastructure work for the block-sized Technology Square Phase 3 project is now above ground level, beneath two construction cranes. Tech Square—an education, retail, and dining district—opened its initial phase in the early 2000s. Considered the final phase, the current 828 W. Peachtree Street expansion project has been in design or undergoing site preparations since 2019. …Named for philanthropists Penny and William “Bill” George, the 18-story George Tower will be home to the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, in addition to other programs. The second building, the 14-story Scheller Tower, will house Tech’s graduate and executive education programs in the Ernest Scheller Jr. College of Business, according to Georgia Tech. …Later, a “groundbreaking” ceremony for Phase 3—attended by Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and other dignitaries—was held back in October 2022. But development didn’t begin in earnest until September last year.
Athens CEO
Cox Automotive Gift Boosts E-mobility Initiative at UGA
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
A significant gift from Cox Automotive to the University of Georgia is helping the university spearhead efforts to make electric mobility accessible to all citizens in Georgia and establish the state as a global leader in electric mobility innovation. The commitment will enhance the UGA College of Engineering by providing support for undergraduate scholarships, graduate research fellowships and experiential learning opportunities such as co-ops, internships and capstone projects related to electric mobility. “This support from Cox Automotive will provide significant benefits to the e-mobility industry, our state and the University of Georgia,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “The university is thankful to have partners like Cox, who share our mission of preparing students to succeed in a rapidly changing economy and strengthening the state of Georgia.” The gift also supports the Georgia Network for Electric Mobility (GNEM). The network, established by UGA in 2023, focuses on enhancing research, education and outreach opportunities in e-mobility across Georgia.
Athens Banner-Herald
UGA professor chronicles search for MIA soldiers in the ocean’s depths for Smithsonian magazine
Wayne Ford
Stephen Mihm teaches history at the University of Georgia and grows heirloom apples on his Oconee County farm, but in 2023 he became a journeyman on a mission to search the ocean depths for soldiers who disappeared in a fierce battle of World War II. “I was there from the beginning until the end – a little over three weeks,” said Mihm, who returned home with new skills and a respect for those dedicated to finding soldiers listed as missing in action. Mihm was there specifically to chronicle the search for three men presumed killed when their bomber, known as an Grumman Avenger, was shot down by the Japanese along the Palau Islands of the South Pacific. A seasoned writer, he has written books, and had articles published in many outlets from magazines to newspapers such as The New York Times.
Middle Georgia CEO
MGA Faculty Q&A With Dr. Lawrence Camarota: The April 8 Total Solar Eclipse
Sheron Smith
Inquiring minds want to know: Will those of us in the Middle Georgia region get to experience the celestial spectacle of the April 8 total solar eclipse? (Spoiler alert: We’ll be able to see about 80 percent of it, weather permitting.) We turn to Dr. Lawrence Camarota of MGA’s Department of Natural Sciences for this Q&A about the upcoming solar eclipse. (BTW, the MGA student org National Sciences Network is hosting a “watch party” in front of the Student Life Center on the Macon Campus beginning at 1:45 p.m. Monday, April 8. They’ll have eclipse glasses to borrow and possibly a solar telescope set up.) Can you provide some background on what a solar eclipse is and why it’s such a significant astronomical event? A solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, the moon, and the sun all align in space, with the moon in the middle. If you were watching the surface of the Earth from space, you would see the shadow of the moon racing across the surface of the Earth. When seen from the Earth, the moon will cover up a part of the sun. Solar eclipses generally occur every six months, but you would only see one if you were in the moon’s shadow…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Meet bald eagles, other raptors at this Georgia wildlife center
Visited by more than 17,500 people each year, the center is an experience for children and adults alike
By Hunter Boyce
It was 1990 when Harry Mathews, an outdoors enthusiast and supporter of Statesboro’s Georgia Southern University, had an idea. In honor of its mascot, the school should have a bald eagle on campus. By 1997, Georgia Southern not only had a bald eagle, but also an expansive wildlife center to match. Visited by more than 17,500 people each year, the center now serves as an opportunity for children and adults alike to encounter some of Georgia’s most awesome wildlife in an entertaining and education experience. Just an hour’s drive northwest of Savannah, it’s an experience worth traveling for.
The Union-Recorder
BEST BUDDIES: GCSU program fosters friendships well beyond college experience
Leah S. Bethea
For more than a decade, Amy Mathis has been blessed with the kind of friendships that many women may envy. But if you ask any six of her dearest friends — Natalie, Whitney, Taylor, Jena, Emmy and Ashton — they’re quick to admit that they’ve been the lucky ones. “Amy is the life of the party,” Taylor said. “She cares about other people. She wants everyone to have a good time. She loves to dance and sing. She can always make me feel better and put a smile on my face.” Amy, 43, first became friends with all six women back when they were Georgia College & State University students who signed up to be part of the university’s Best Buddies program. Through the organization, GCSU students are paired with individuals from the Life Enrichment Center — a private, nonprofit program serving adults with intellectual disabilities.
The U.S. Sun
The disturbing historical event that inspired the local legends
Forrest McFarland, News Reporter
SUSPICIOUS locals have voiced their terror over an incoming waterslide rollercoaster being built dangerously close to a so-called haunted lake. Over 200 bodies have been pulled from Georgia’s Lake Lanier since 1994, leaving the popular destination shrouded in mystery. … Speaking with Yahoo News, Mark Huddle, a professor at Georgia College & State University, said, “I don’t have to believe in ghosts to believe that a place like Lake Lanier could be haunted.” “The haunting is that this is a place where the dark and bloody struggle for American race relations played out in a terrible way.”
The Union-Recorder
Baldwin High School Distinguished Alumni: Sammy Hall
Special to The U-R
EDITOR’S NOTE: On Saturday, March 16, the Baldwin County School District hosts its Distinguished Alumni Gala at 6 p.m., at the Georgia College Magnolia Ballroom. Selected Distinguished Alumni will be recognized during the event, and in the days leading to it The Union-Recorder will pro- file those honorees: Raymond Tubb (1985), Dr. Emmett Griswold (1989), Audra Smith (1988), Timothy Thomas (1986), Celena Mondie-Milner (1986), Sammy Hall (1965) and Benjamin Lewis (1961).
Commissioner Sammy Hall, a distinguished member of the Baldwin High School Class of 1965, epitomizes the values of dedication, service, and community engagement.
Born and raised in Baldwin County, Georgia, “I graduated from Cooperville Elementary School in 1956,” said Hall, “It was one of these country schools that had five teachers.” Transitioning through Midway Elementary School, Hall eventually made his mark at Baldwin High School. Reflecting on his educational journey, Hall said, “After graduating from Baldwin High School, I went to GMC (Georgia Military College), and just about the time I was getting ready to graduate from GMC… I got accepted to Georgia College.” Hall was one of the first men to attend Georgia College upon the announcement that it had become a co-educational institution.
Southern Living
How To Keep Black Flies Away, According To Experts
Here’s how to keep these pests away from you and your family.
By Arricca Elin SanSone
If you’ve ever been swarmed by tiny, annoying flies while golfing, fishing, or even when gardening, you’re probably familiar with black flies. “Black flies are stout-bodied flies which are closely related to mosquitoes,” says entomologist Elmer Gray, director of the University of Georgia Black Fly Research and Resource Center, the only black fly colony in the world. “Their intense swarming activity around your head and face creates a significant nuisance if you’re trying to enjoy the outdoors.”
The Augusta Chronicle
Georgia basketball season not over. Bulldogs and Mike White will host NIT game
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
Georgia basketball will play in the postseason for the first time since 2017. The Bulldogs landed in the 32-team NIT field Sunday night after eight SEC teams were selected for the NCAA tournament. Georgia (17-16) is one of two SEC teams along with LSU getting an automatic spot in the NIT based on its NET rankings. The Bulldogs moved up in the pecking order to secure the bid after Ole Miss chose not to take part in the event.
Athens Banner-Herald
How an SEC program boosted the NIT chances of Georgia basketball without playing a game
Marc Weiszer
The chances for Georgia basketball to extend its season in the NIT got better Friday afternoon. And continued to improve on Friday night. That’s because another SEC program, Ole Miss, won’t accept a bid after falling on the wrong side of the NCAA tournament bubble. Rebels coach Chris Beard told reporters Friday afternoon that his team won’t play in the NIT, according to David Eckert of the Clarion-Ledger. … Now the Bulldogs, 17-16 overall after a second round SEC Tournament loss to Florida Thursday night, need Texas A&M to get in the NCAA Tournament as an eighth SEC team. The Aggies seemed to take care of that with a 97-87 win over Kentucky Friday night. That would leave LSU and Georgia as the two top teams available for the NIT.
BVM Sports
Columbus State takes series finale from Lander
Columbus, Ga. – Columbus State scored ten runs in the first inning and held on for a 10-3 victory over Lander in the conference series finale. After being held in check on Saturday, the Cougars scored ten runs in the first inning, but Lander could not answer over the next eight innings.
BVM Sports
By BVM Sportsdesk
Georgia Southern track and field kicked off their outdoor season at the Black and Gold Invitational in Orlando, with notable performances including Imani Moore finishing sixth in the long jump and Isabel Ptacek achieving a lifetime best in the 1500m. Catherine Hall set a new personal best in the women’s 5K, while Nia Hence won her heat in the 100m with a personal best time. Head Coach David Neville expressed satisfaction with individual performances but acknowledged the team fell short of expectations. …Despite notable individual achievements, Georgia Southern’s track and field team aims to elevate their collective performance under the guidance of Head Coach David Neville following the Black and Gold Invitational.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College Softball Celebrates Senior Day with Sweep
From Staff Reports
The No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College softball team got back to its winning ways in a pair of Senior Day shutout victories, by 2-0 and 5-0 scores, against Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday afternoon at the Grizzly Softball Complex.
BVM Sports
By BVM Sportsdesk
The Georgia Southern swimming team concluded their 2023-24 season at the National Invitational Championships in Ocala, Florida, with notable performances in various events over two days. …The Georgia Southern swimming team wrapped up their season at the National Invitational Championships, displaying their talents and setting new personal records, which could serve as a foundation for future success in upcoming competitions.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
House Republicans Float Bill to Require Free Speech on Campuses
The legislation attempts to address what Republicans say is a long-standing attack on free expression in higher education. Critics say it would make it hard to protect students from hate speech.
By Katherine Knott
House Republicans are seeking to end the use of “political litmus tests” at public colleges and universities in a wide-ranging bill released Friday that aims to ensure students’ First Amendment rights are protected. Institutions that don’t comply would face a serious penalty—losing access to federal financial aid for a year. The Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act is the third in a series of GOP bills aimed at updating the Higher Education Act of 1965. So far, Republicans on the House Education and Workforce Committee have considered bills that would overhaul the financing of higher education and require colleges to report more foreign gifts. With this latest measure, lawmakers are turning their attention to what they see as the “long-standing and pervasive degradation of First Amendment rights” on college campuses.
Inside Higher Ed
Virginia Officials Scrutinize Two Universities’ DEI Course Syllabi
A spokesman for Governor Glenn Youngkin invoked concerns about “core curriculum mandates that are a thinly veiled attempt to incorporate the progressive left’s groupthink.” Two universities’ diversity education initiatives may be in peril.
By Ryan Quinn
Republican politicians have targeted diversity, equity and inclusion in state after state. They’ve passed laws to limit, defund or outright ban related programs. They’ve demanded information on universities’ DEI expenses and their numbers of DEI positions. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who won office in 2021 after campaigning against the alleged teaching of critical race theory in K-12 schools, is diving into the details. His education secretary’s office has requested to review syllabi from upcoming diversity-themed courses at two public universities: George Mason, which has been planning a broad “Just Societies” mandate, and Virginia Commonwealth University, which has been planning a new “Racial Literacy” requirement. The universities say they have complied with the unusual requests.
Inside Higher Ed
Biden Touts Efforts to Combat Junk Fees in Higher Ed
By Katherine Knott
In statements and a fact sheet, the Biden administration highlighted Friday several ongoing efforts to crack down on so-called junk fees in higher education. Those efforts include a proposal in the president’s latest budget to eliminate student loan origination fees. These fees, which are charged when borrowers first take out their loans, range from 1 percent to 4 percent depending on the type of loan, according to the fact sheet. Eliminating them is a bipartisan issue; Republicans have a similar provision in a recent bill overhauling the student loan system. Advocates cheered the Biden proposal when it was released March 11. Biden vowed to end junk fees broadly in his 2023 State of the Union address and renewed those calls in this year’s speech earlier this month, connecting them with the president’s agenda to lower the cost of college.
Inside Higher Ed
Rutgers Unions Sued Over Strike; Case Seeks National Impact
By Ryan Quinn
A junior is suing Rutgers University faculty, graduate student, postdoctoral associate and counselor unions that struck in April 2023—plus their state and national union affiliates—for depriving him of a week of education. The student’s lawyers are asking a judge to let the suit become a class action case that could pit 67,000 Rutgers students against the unions. The lawyers estimate the total damages at $150 million, and say they want the lawsuit to have national impact. “This case is simple and straightforward: 67,000 students were denied a week of the education they paid for because the unions chose to undertake a knowingly illegal strike,” attorney Daniel Suhr said in a Friday news release accompanying the filing in the Superior Court of New Jersey in Middlesex County.