The Center Square
Georgia lawmakers approve budget as session ends
General Assembly rejects sports betting and Medicaid expansion bills
By T.A. DeFeo | The Center Square contributor
Georgia lawmakers signed off on the fiscal year 2025 budget in the final hours of this year’s legislative session but did not pass a bill to allow sports betting. Lawmakers gave the nod to a more than $66.8 billion state budget for fiscal 2025, which starts July 1. The spending plan, which anticipates $36.1 billion in state money and $19 billion in federal taxpayer funds, includes pay raises for public school teachers and state law enforcement officers. …The fiscal 2025 budget includes more than $9.7 billion for the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, including nearly $3.4 billion in state taxpayer dollars and more than $1.8 billion in federal funds and grants.
WRDW
Wellstar MCG Health breaks ground for Grovetown hospital
By Audrey Dickherber
Wellstar will host a groundbreaking and beam signing ceremony for the long awaited Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center.
The event will include the following: The Honorable Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia; First Lady of Georgia Marty Kemp; Sonny Perdue, Chancellor of the University System of Georgia; Dr. Brooks Keel, President of Augusta University; Doug Duncan, Chairman of the Columbia County Board of Commissioners; Candice L. Saunders, President and CEO of Wellstar Health System; Ralph Turner, Hospital President, Wellstar MCG Health. Wellstar team members at the Augusta campus will later have the opportunity to sign the beam.
Augusta CEO
Ralph Turner Named President to Spearhead Full Integration Into Wellstar Health System
Lisa Kaylor
Ralph Turner has been appointed senior vice president and hospital president at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center. Prior to his time serving in the role on an interim basis, he served as SVP and president for Wellstar Paulding Medical Center since 2022. Ralph Turner will serve as senior vice president and president for Wellstar MCG Health. “Ralph has enthusiastically welcomed MCG Health team members into the Wellstar family. He’s doing an extraordinary job leading the integration of our people, processes and technologies into a culture that honors every voice and celebrates academic and clinical excellence,” said Mary Chatman, PhD, RN, Wellstar’s executive vice president of acute care operations. …The organization partners with Augusta University’s Medical College of Georgia and offers an industry-leading cancer care and telestroke network, the region’s only Level I Trauma Center and the only Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for critically ill infants with an air transportation team.
Athens CEO
Jenna Jambeck named 2024 SEC Professor of the Year
Renowned plastic pollution expert previously awarded MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’
Jenna Jambeck, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering at the University of Georgia, was named the 2024 SEC Professor of the Year on Thursday for her decades of work investigating the global scale of plastic pollution and galvanizing efforts to address solid waste and marine debris. The award is given annually to one SEC faculty member whose record of teaching and research places him or her among the elite in higher education. Winners are selected by the SEC provosts from among the 14 SEC Faculty Achievement Award recipients. “The University of Georgia is extremely proud of Dr. Jambeck not only for providing a better understanding of one of the world’s most pressing challenges but also for translating her research into workable solutions that will benefit all of society,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am grateful to the Southeastern Conference for recognizing her global impact with this distinguished and well-deserved award.” Jambeck, who is also a Regents’ Professor of Environmental Engineering in UGA’s College of Engineering, founded the Circularity Informatics Lab in UGA’s New Materials Institute and serves as a National Geographic Explorer.
Albany Herald
Albany State advances to national Honda Campus All-Star Challenge
From staff reports
The journey to the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge National Championship Tournament is underway for the team of scholars from Albany State University. The HCASC tournament, America’s premier academic competition among HBCUs, annually brings together more than 325 HBCU students, coaches, presidents, and institutional representatives for a tournament that uniquely combines educational and personal development experiences beyond the classroom. After advancing in the HCASC National Qualifying Tournament in February, Albany State University is one of 32 teams that will compete in April on the corporate campus of American Honda in Torrance, Calif., for the HCASC National Championship title and a portion of the more than $500,000 in institutional grants provided by Honda.
Local 3 News
Dalton State among top growing colleges in USG
Grace James
According to recent enrollment reports from the University System of Georgia (USG), Dalton State College’s enrollment is up 10.6% over spring 2023, along with an 8.2% increase in fall 2023. “This is a significant accomplishment that placed Dalton State as No. 3 this spring and No. 2 in the fall across the entire USG,” President John Fuchko said. “Students and their families understand the educational opportunities and value that Dalton State is able to offer.” Also, it is the first time Dalton State has been ranked #61 in The 100 Most Affordable Colleges & Universities for 2024 by College Consensus, the college says.
Dalton Daily Citizen
Dalton State College hosts investors roundtables event
By James Swift
Adam Anicich, a United States Securities and Exchange Commission special adviser, opened an event held at Dalton State College on Thursday, March 28. “We reach out to the public in a lot of different ways to gain feedback, to gain perspective and to hear about the issues that are important to you,” he said. “We hear from the big names, the big public pension funds, the big private firms — we want to hear from retail investors, what you do today really matters in the future.” The North American Securities Administrators Association and the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office joined the SEC for the investors roundtables discussions at DSC. United States Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester M. Peirce gave the opening remarks on Thursday. The all-day event also included a series of investor education presentations. DSC President John Fuchko III briefly addressed attendees at the event.
Athens CEO
Pool Protection Technologies Founders Make Big Splash in 2024 FABricate Pitch Contest
Sean Montgomery
Another successful cycle of the University of Georgia’s FABricate Entrepreneurial Initiative wrapped up Tuesday night at the Delta Innovation Hub, with a sustainable pool-maintenance solution winning the $10,000 grand prize. Pool Protection Technologies, founded by UGA College of Engineering students Garrett Stigall and Guy Gober, highlighted its high-quality sound-amplifying machine (SAM) that treats algae growth in pools. Using ultrasonic waves, SAM directly targets the cells in algae and removes them without the use of chemicals. Designed to reduce the costs and effects of traditional chemical application, SAM is a battery-powered device programmed to sit on the edge of the pool. Developing a winner Both engineering students had competed in the program at earlier stages of their business careers. Although they have consistently placed well in regional pitch contests outside the university, neither had previously experienced the success they achieved Tuesday.
41WMGT
GCSU holds 7th Annual K-5 Science and Engineering Fair
“These are our future scientists that are going to be finding cures for diseases and future doctors and future GBI agents.”
By Fiona King
Over 400 students from around Georgia participated in the 7th Annual Science and Engineering Fair at the Georgia College & State University, making it the largest group of elementary students since the fair started six years ago. The event was attended by a hundred school districts, and the judges say the task was a difficult. “There are so many great projects, it’s hard to decide, you know, between different projects,” said John Trombley, one of the judges at the fair and the Senior Chemistry Lecturer at GCSU. “You know, these are very bright students. And so when you’ve got two, three, four just amazing projects, it’s really hard to decide which one is slightly better than the other.” The Fair Director, Catrena Lisse, who is also the director of GCSU’s Science Education Center, said it’s important to encourage and nurture children’s curiosity, and the fair helps kids build their self-confidence.
WTVM
Columbus State University holds ribbon cutting for new mother-baby simulation lab
By Kelis McGhee
A new lab is open on Columbus State University’s RiverPark campus in Uptown allowing nursing students to simulate birth scenarios. “This lab is our OB lab or our obstetrical nursing lab, and we have a brand new state of the art mannequin who allows students to perform those skills and techniques needed to assist with successful deliveries,” said Dr. Jherika Tyler, the assistant director of undergraduate nursing program. “We can also manipulate the environment and create a safe space for them to practice those abnormal deliveries. A group of juniors and seniors who will be using the mother-baby simulation lab at Frank Brown Hall said they were excited for it to finally be open.
See also:
Valdosta Daily Times
Georgia Cotton Commission approves 2025 research
Staff Reports
The Georgia Cotton Commission Board of Directors approved $675,340 in research for the 2025 crop year during the March board meeting. In a press release late this week, the Georgia Cotton Commission said the money will fund 17 projects that will be conducted by University of Georgia researchers and extension specialists. Projects range from funding for the UGA cotton team to research on resistant weeds, soil management practices, evaluating the economics of conservation production, irrigation management and many more. The goal of this producer-funded research is to help cotton producers by conducting research that can either raise yields, promote efficiency or open new markets, the commission said. All projects are vetted by both the commission board of directors and State Support Committee, made up of cotton producers from across the state, and the commission’s research review committee, which is made up of researchers, crop consultants and local UGA Extension Agriculture/Natural Resource agents.
Times-Georgian
Local philanthropist has profound impact on UWG Newnan
Bob Coggin, an emeritus member of the UWG Foundation Board of Trustees, has established the Millie Coggin Endowed Scholarship in memory of his wife. It is to be awarded to students from Coweta County who are attending UWG Newnan. A dedicated supporter of the University of West Georgia who has played a pivotal role in establishing UWG’s presence in Newnan has now deepened his impact on the institution by establishing a scholarship in memory of his wife.
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The Tifton Gazette
USDA career fair debuts, receives massive turnout at ABAC
By Davis Cobb
ABAC students came out in droves to network with representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture this past Thursday. Various divisions of the department came together at ABAC for the inaugural USDA Career and Internship Fair, connecting with more than 250 students of the agricultural college March 28. This event is the first USDA specific career fair nationwide, with the department collaborating with ABAC to bring 11 of its agencies and 30 representatives to the school for the flagship run. …The resulting event saw these agencies set up on the second floor of the Carlton Center, eagerly sharing information and networking with ABAC students and recent graduates on potential career or internship opportunities with the agricultural department.
Middle Georgia CEO
Marc Miller on the Future of the MGA School of Business
Business School Dean at Middle Georgia State University Marc Miller talks about the different business programs MGA offers. He also discusses how MGA works closely with the local business community to help prepare students for the workforce.
AOL
College students clean up Atlanta BeltLine ahead of 404 Day
FOX 5 Atlanta Digital Team
Atlanta universities are joining forces with the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership for a day of service on March 30 to commemorate 404 Day, also known as Atlanta Day. Nine prominent universities are participating in this collaborative effort, each focusing their efforts on specific locations along the Atlanta BeltLine:
Emory and Morris Brown: Fourth Ward Skate Park; Georgia State, Morehouse, and Spelman: BeltLine Partnership Headquarters; Clark Atlanta and Oglethorpe: Bobby Jones Golf Course; Atlanta Metropolitan and Georgia Tech: Pittsburgh Yards; Georgia Tech’s Assistant Athletic Director, Kevin Cone, speaking on behalf of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of collective action in giving back to the supportive Atlanta community.
Albany CEO
Experiential Learning Trips Take GSW Students Beyond the Classroom Over Spring Break
Staff Report From Georgia CEO
Students from Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) travelled to Bulgaria, Serbia, Washington, D.C. and Sapelo Island during Spring Break engaging in impactful, experiential learning opportunities. Students enrolled in UNIV 4000 traveled to Bulgaria and Serbia for a study abroad trip. They immersed themselves in the local cultures through visits to Plovdiv, the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, and Veliko Tarnovo, an ancient capital of Bulgaria. The group explored museums and archeological sites, interacted with the local people, and enjoyed a variety of local cuisines. In Bogomilovo, the students did yard work and collected trash on the streets as part of the service component of the class and the trip. Afterwards, they experienced dinner prepared by the locals of Bogomilovo, participated in traditional Bulgarian dances, and listened to the performance of Milen Stoykov, a famous Bulgarian saxophone player. The group also spent one day in Nish, Serbia, where they visited several historic sites and relaxed along the Nishava River.
Braselton News Today
Dorsey and UNG peers compete at sports medicine event
Thirteen University of North Georgia (UNG) students, including Jaylen Dorsey from Jefferson, attended the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) Annual Meeting held in Greenville, S.C. While there, some students participated in the Quiz Bowl competition and others shared poster presentations. “Meetings like these are great for student growth because of networking, collegiality, professional development, and scientific knowledge,” Dr. Sabrina Fordham, associate department head and associate professor of kinesiology, said. “Several of our students have returned with ideas for their own research.
Albany Herald
CollegeComix.com offers free comics delivery for college students
From staff reports
CollegeComix.com, the online platform catering to college students’ love for comics, has announced a significant milestone in comic book delivery. The platform now offers free delivery of new comic book releases exclusively for college students in the United States. Founded in February 2024 by Joel Kight, a UGA Grady School of Journalism alum, CollegeComix.com aims to address the longing for comic books while college students are away from home.
Grice Connect
Georgia Southern CPE Division to host “The Future of Leadership: Adapting to a Changing Landscape”
Georgia Southern University’s Division of Continuing and Professional Education will host the inaugural CPE Leadership Conference: The Future of Leadership: Adapting to a Changing Landscape on May 17. Keynote speakers include Justin Farquhar, Vice President of Workforce for the Savannah Economic Development Authority, and Brent Stubbs, the Senior Manager of Learning and Development at Hyundai Metaplant America. The Interim Director of Georgia Southern’s Division of Continuing & Professional Education (CPE), Deedee Southerlin, Ed.D., specializes in customized leadership training for Industry groups throughout Georgia and the Southeast region. With the vast expansion of industry booming into the Statesboro and Savannah areas, Southerlin has witnessed a change in the workforce environment in our area. To make a meaningful impact on talent retention, leaders must learn to adapt to stay competitive and provide effective leadership and growth opportunities within their own organizations.
Times-Georgian
COVID-19 test kiosk available at UWG Student Health Center
Free, on-demand COVID-19 tests are now available to students, faculty, staff and community members at the University of West Georgia’s Student Health Center. Designed for convenience and efficiency, these kiosks offer a quick and easy option for individuals to obtain COVID tests on-the-go. The kiosk is located outside UWG’s Student Health Center at 47 Arbor View Lane in Carrollton.
Gwinnett Daily Post
Georgia Gwinnett College Men’s Tennis Wins at NCAA Division III Power Emory
From Staff Reports
Strong singles performances gave the NAIA top-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College men’s tennis team a come-from-behind victory against NCAA Division III powerhouse Emory University (Georgia) on the road 6-3 Saturday afternoon. The Grizzlies (13-0) won both meetings with Emory this spring.
BVM Sports
No. 66 Georgia Southern Thrills with 4-3 Win over Coastal Carolina in Men’s Tennis
By BVM Sportsdesk
Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Dimitris Paliouras secured a crucial victory for No. 66 Georgia Southern, defeating Coastal Carolina 4-3 in a Sun Belt men’s tennis match. The win marked the sixth consecutive victory for Georgia Southern, advancing their season record to 10-7 overall and 4-0 in the Sun Belt, while Coastal Carolina moved to 6-10 overall and 1-3 in the league.
BVM Sports
Georgia Southern Women’s Tennis Soars to 4-1 Victory Over Southern Miss, Improves to 14-2 Overall
By BVM Sportsdesk
Georgia Southern women’s tennis secured a 4-1 victory over Southern Miss in Sun Belt Conference play, improving to 14-2 overall and 3-1 in the conference, while Southern Miss dropped to 4-9 overall and 0-5 in the Sun Belt.
Dalton Daily Citizen
PROGRESS 2024: Going pro: Dalton State soccer program exports pro prospects
The city known as Soccertown, USA, might be known for its high school soccer excellence, but Dalton State College is also exporting some professional soccer prospects. Dalton State’s men’s soccer program, which has been ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in each of the last two seasons, has produced seven professional athletes from its rosters during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Rasmus Andersson, Michael Barrueta, Noah Cicoria, Guilherme Franca, Zachary Perry, Josh Ramos and Justin Riescher signed professional contracts at the end of a successful season where the Roadrunners landed a final-eight finish in the NAIA national tournament. Dalton State’s soccer program began in 2015, and the program has thrived in the Dalton community.
Victory Sports Network
No. 3 Grizzlies cap Easter Weekend with Walk-Off Homer to Sweep Cumberland
By jasondannelly
Junior Henry Daniels hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to cap a thrilling doubleheader sweep Saturday for the No. 3-ranked Georgia Gwinnett College baseball team against Cumberland University (Tennessee) on Senior Day at the Grizzly Baseball Complex. The Grizzlies (30-5) won the nightcap 11-8 after starting the day with a 15-5 victory – another weekend sweep that’s extended the team’s winning streak to a season-high nine games.
The George-Anne
Students Finally Win the annual Paul Bradley Jr. Basketball Game
Emmalyne Roper, Editor-in-Chief
On the fifth anniversary of the Faculty/Staff vs. Student basketball game, students finally brought home a win, ending the faculty and staff’s four-year winning streak. This year marked a number of changes for the annual game, as this was the inaugural day of the newly named Paul Anthony Bradley Jr. Faculty/Staff vs. Student Basketball Game, in honor of his legacy. Spirits were high from the modest turnout in the bleachers, and the crowd was rallied by the director of student activities, Memory Littles, who narrated the game. … While the faculty and staff team fought hard, the students maintained on average a 16-point lead and took a sweeping win with a final score of 64-36.
Sunbelt Sports
Sun Belt Conference Announces 2024 Women’s Swimming & Diving Awards
The Sun Belt Conference on Friday announced its Women’s Swimming & Diving Awards, recognizing standout performances from the 2024 season. The awards were voted on by the head coaches of Sun Belt Conference women’s swim & dive programs. The Sun Belt also announced the All-Sun Belt Conference honorees from the 2024 Sun Belt Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. …2024 Sun Belt Women’s Swimming & Diving All-Conference Third Team All Georgia Southern: Zuri Clavo; Jamison Tiller; Carsyn Cosman; Chiara Alberti; Carsyn Cosman, Georgia Southern; Logan Belanger, Georgia Southern; Abby Wenham, Georgia Southern; Emma Scruggs, Georgia Southern; Ieva Evaltaite; Madlen Wendland; Emma Sutton.
Grice Connect
A look at Coach Howard’s legacy with Georgia Southern Women’s Basketball
Ke’Juan Humphries
On March 12, a week after the season ended for the Georgia Southern women’s basketball team, it was announced that head coach Anita Howard and Georgia Southern mutually agreed to part ways. Anita Howard changed the Georgia Southern women’s basketball program not only with her expertise on the game, but also with how she molded her players into better people as well as athletes.
The Daily Item
Springtime in Georgia: Go for the Masters, stay for Augusta
Mary Ann Anderson – Tribune News Service (TNS)
Ever since Bobby Jones organized the first Masters at Augusta National in 1934, the international tournament has become the holy grail of every golfer hankering to play on its hallowed links or at least snag a coveted ticket to walk the 18-hole course alongside the greats of the sport: Woods, Mickelson, Scheffler, McIlroy and Fowler. Georgia’s gift to the golfing universe is the Masters, and the Masters certainly helped put Augusta on the map. …With Masters week approaching — it takes place April 8-14 — it’s good to know there’s more to Augusta than golf and a celebrity or two. …Augusta was also the second capital of Georgia, sharing that honor with Savannah, Louisville, Milledgeville and Atlanta, the now permanent home of state government. The Medical College of Georgia, the state’s first medical school, is in the Garden City, and although it has changed names several times over the past few years, it is now and will always be affectionately known to Georgians simply as MCG.
Savannah Morning News
Six Georgia football assistant coaches get boost in annual pay including both coordinators
Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
More than half of Kirby Smart’s Georgia football assistant coaches have received boosts in pay, led by offensive coordinator Mike Bobo who returned to that role last year. Bobo’s pay is going from $1.02 million to $1.4 million, according to information obtained Friday by the Athens Banner-Herald in an open records request. Bobo was one of five finalists last year for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant after taking over for Todd Monken who left for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. His pay was due to rise to just over $1.1 million heading into the 2024 season, according to his contract. Bobo is now the second highest-paid Georgia assistant coach.
Albany Herald
33 years into his career at ASU, Robert Skinner accepts new assignments
From staff reports
Following 33 years of dedication to Albany State University, President Marion Fedrick has requested Coach Robert Skinner to transition into a pivotal role focusing on universitywide wellness initiatives, an opportunity Skinner has accepted. In addition to his new duties, Skinner also will serve as the associate athletics director for facilities, operations, and community engagement, furthering his impact on the university community.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Incorrect Tax Data Could Mean Another FAFSA Setback
By Liam Knox
Education Department officials said Friday they’d been made aware of potential issues with incorrect tax data on processed student aid forms, threatening once again to upend the troubled delivery of Institutional Student Information Records to colleges. The department later said that a joint investigation of the issues with the Internal Revenue Service found fewer than 20 percent of applications were affected by the errors. They asked colleges to await detailed “remediation plans” for fixing the affected applications on Monday. “We recognize how important it is for schools and families to have the information they need to package and receive aid offers,” officials wrote in an update on Saturday. “Accordingly, we will continue our joint efforts with [the] IRS to resolve these issues and implement updates to resolve data inaccuracies as expeditiously as possible.”
Inside Higher Ed
Legal Challenges to Biden’s SAVE Plan Ramp Up
By Katherine Knott
A coalition of 11 Republican-led states is suing the Biden administration to block its new student loan repayment plan. Kansas is leading the lawsuit. Filed Thursday, the lawsuit argues that the plan, known as Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE), exceeds the Education Department’s authority, hurts the states’ bottom lines and is just another version of the broad-based debt-relief plan that the Supreme Court struck down last summer in Biden v. Nebraska. “The law simply does not allow Biden to do what he wants to do,” Kansas attorney general Kris Kobach said in a news release. “Biden is trying to exercise the powers of a king rather than the powers of a President in a constitutional republic.”
See also:
Higher Ed Dive
11 states sue to stop Biden’s new income-driven repayment plan
The plan oversteps the U.S. Department of Education’s authority and unfairly robs some states of income tax, the plaintiffs said.
Inside Higher Ed
Boston University Denies It Would Use AI to Replace Striking Teaching Assistants
By Lauren Coffey
Boston University is pushing back against criticisms following a dean’s suggestion that AI tools be used amid a graduate students’ strike. The university’s response comes after an email to faculty from Stan Sclaroff, dean of arts and sciences. Last week, two days after thousands of BU graduate student workers began a strike, the email made recommendations including using artificial intelligence to better manage course discussions, labs and student feedback. “Neither Dean Sclaroff nor Boston University believe that AI can replace its graduate student teaching assistants, and the assertion that we plan to do so is patently false,” Boston University said in a statement on Friday.