Athens CEO
Embark Georgia Receives Additional $1.1 Million to Expand Efforts
Charlie Bauder
A statewide network led by the University of Georgia is receiving a boost of financial support to improve educational outcomes for youth who have experienced foster care and/or homelessness. Embark Georgia received $1.1 million from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation’s Child Well-Being Fund to continue strengthening and expanding the network’s efforts across Georgia. This follows the foundation’s previous gift of $750,000 to Embark Georgia in 2022.
Jackson Herald Today
NSF grant funds STEM scholarships for local UNG students
Forty University of North Georgia (UNG) students in STEM degree programs are now receiving up to $10,000 per academic year in scholarships thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Students can be in the program for up to eight semesters, with the possibility of a total of $40,000 in scholarship money by graduation.
The Griffin Daily News
Gordon State College professor to lead solar eclipse experience
By Karen Gunnels Managing Editor
Gordon State College chemistry professor Richard Schmude will hold a special gathering for curious spectators to witness the partial solar eclipse on Monday. Attendees will be able to view the eclipsed sun through a special sun spotter in front of the Barnesville campus Instructional Complex building.
YouTube
SEE HOW: Challenger Learning Center celebrates the solar eclipse Monday
accessWDUN
UNG invites public to eclipse viewing Monday
By Caleb Hutchins Assistant News Director
The University of North Georgia is inviting the public to come view Monday’s solar eclipse on the school’s Dahlonega campus. Clark Leonard, director of news and communications for the university, said anyone is invited to come to Rogers Hall on the campus between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. to view the eclipse using the school’s telescopes or eclipse glasses. The estimated peak of the eclipse in Dahlonega is around 3:00 p.m. North Georgia is not in the line of totality for the event, but Dahlonega is expected to see an 84 percent partial eclipse.
WTVM
Don’t Miss It: Partial Solar Eclipse to Cover 80% of the Chattahoochee Valley
By Macy Woodworth
Millions of people will spend a part of their day outside observing a monumental event this afternoon. We are less than 24 hours away from the highly anticipated event in which one could say only happens ‘once in a blue moon’ – the solar eclipse. Here in the Chattahoochee Valley, we expect the moon to cover up to 80-percent of the sun – making for a partial eclipse. If you miss it, your next opportunity in the Valley won’t be until 2045. Piece of advice from those across the region? Don’t miss it. …“Once in a while, you’ll get these special alignments where the moon is at new moon phase but it’s also right at that point where it’s lined up with the sun at the same time – and that’s when you have the potential for a solar eclipse to happen,” said Dr. Shawn Cruzen, Executive Director of Columbus State Coca-Cola Space Science Center. With special telescopes and research instruments provided by Dr. Shawn Cruzen and his team at the Coca-Cola Space Science Center, observers will not only be able to experience the moon passing in front of the sun, but may even see solar storms, sunspots, or flares occurring on the sun’s surface, making for an event of endless possibilities.
See also:
The Union-Recorder
Partial eclipse coming Monday afternoon
Gil Pound
Time to dust off those eclipse-viewing glasses from seven years ago. For the first time since 2017 and for the last time until 2045, a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Milledgeville Monday. …Scientists within the realm of astronomy and physics, like Georgia College & State University lecturer Dr. Shahram Talei, see eclipses as opportunities to educate the public on their fields of study. Talei will be among the GCSU professors on campus with tables set up outside the Arts & Sciences building from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday. The next solar eclipse visible in Georgia will happen over two decades from now in the year 2045.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Opinion: Students should debate opposing ideas, not shout them down
Get Schooled with Maureen Downey
By Peter Smagorinsky (Emeritus professor in the University of Georgia’s College of Education)
Jon Stewart recently returned to “The Daily Show,” a Comedy Central news and satire program that he took from a shabby afterthought to one of the top programs in late-night television. Although his show always leaned heavily to the left, he never hesitated to skewer liberals in the news. Making fun of his own kind, he has maintained, keeps them honest, with the intention of pressuring them to live up to their ideals and claims. But beware: Stewart is about to learn a hard truth about the state of media and culture. To liberal Mary Trump, Stewart is now a “danger to democracy” for even glancing toward the political center. To Steve Krakauer, Stewart “has no idea what he’s in for” in being critical of his own side. These are not times for concessions to the opposition. The battlefield accommodates nothing but scorched-earth tactics, and only full-throated support for our team will be acceptable.
DutchPoints
Two Savannah State students selected for Shannon Sharpe internship
Savannah State students Daryl Green and Natayja Smith were selected for an internship with Shannon Sharpe.
By Travis Petty Jr.
Savannah State University students Daryl Green and Natayja Smith were selected for social media internship with Shannon Sharpe. The wait is over and the results of the internship search for Shannon Sharpe’s company Shay Shay Media have been announced. Daryl Green and Natayja Smith were the two students selected for the Shay Shay Media Social Media Internship. Students will be tasked to assist with Sharpe’s weekly podcasts Club Shay Shay and Nightcap. Daryl Green, a junior majoring in Mass Communications, was overwhelmed with joy. Green spoke with ClutchPoints and expressed the hard work that went into accomplishing this outstanding achievement. “It feels great, Green said. “To be one of the students who was selected this is something that I’ve prepared for since I got here at Savannah State. All of the classes, all of the extracurricular activities that I’ve participated in. Just really equipping me with the skill set to be even mentioned as a candidate and ultimately getting this role and working with the team at nightcap. So this is something that I’ve worked for and it feels great as a student.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
$250M life sciences facility moves forward near Athens
Project to eventually include 800,000 square foot facility with more than 1,700 workers
By Zachary Hansen
One of Georgia’s largest life science projects cleared a procedural step toward developing a large campus near Athens. Meissner Corp., which specializes in microfiltration and pharmaceutical products, made public a state filing March 29 that sheds new light on its planned $250 million manufacturing, laboratory and distribution facility in Clarke County. The development of regional impact (DRI) filing details the project will be built in three phases, totaling 800,000 square feet of facilities and more than 1,700 workers. Jon Day, operations project manager at California-based Meissner, said the company is preparing to break ground in the next two months on the 125-acre site at the Christian Industrial Tract at 1310 Spring Valley Road in Winterville. The site is within five miles of the University of Georgia and Athens Technical College. “There’s a slew of universities around here that can provide excellent talent,” Day said.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These are the winners of the 2024 Flavor of Georgia contest
By Olivia Wakim
Food businesses from the Peach State were recognized for their products during the 2024 Flavor of Georgia competition in Athens on April 4. The annual contest is organized by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Food Science and Technology. It features market-ready products from small businesses around the state with the goal of helping to launch small, startup food companies while gaining recognition in new markets for established brands.
Headlines of Today
Dr. Chisholm was awarded the 2024 TRIO Achievement Award at The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino during the 2024 Southeastern Atlantic TRIO Conference (SEAC) in Biloxi, Mississippi. At the Southeastern Atlantic TRIO Conference, TRIO programs from the three (3) states of Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi all came together in Biloxi, Mississippi under the theme, “Unmasking the Treasures in TRIO.” Moreover, as a resident of the state of Florida, Dr. Chisholm represented Florida as a 2024 Trio Achiever. …Additionally, Upward Bound Program Director at Fort Valley State University in the State of Georgia, Dr. LaVasa Parks shared the following: “The conference theme, “Unmasking the Treasures in TRIO,” aptly encapsulates the spirit of recognizing and celebrating individuals like Dr. Chisholm, whose contributions have positively impacted countless lives.
The Citizens
UGA Extension protects family farms and sensitive species
By Emily Cabrera UGa Cooperative Extension
Stanley Culpepper has dedicated the length of his career to supporting farmers in their mission to feed and clothe the world. A weed science specialist for University of Georgia Cooperative Extension for the past 25 years, Culpepper thinks his success is inextricably tied to his strong relationships with the growers and Extension agents he serves. As a College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences faculty member, Culpepper’s efforts focus on helping growers provide safe, affordable and accessible food, feed and fiber that we all depend upon. Recently his job has become increasingly complex as mounting challenges around the availability of pesticides — primarily herbicides — have taken center stage in agricultural production. Over the past three years, restrictions on pesticide use have ramped up.
Gizmos
STEM Educator Kenneth Jones Revolutionizes Teaching with Gizmos
When ExploreLearning received an email from Kenneth Jones letting us know that he felt that Gizmos are an extremely valuable technological tool and thanking us for our contributions to quality STEM Education, we wanted to learn more. What grades does Jones teach? How does he use Gizmos in his classes? Which features are most helpful to his students?
How a master teacher integrates Gizmos into the classroom
It turned out that Jones was an atypical Gizmos user. Jones is a Master Teacher and member of the UTeach faculty at Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. What’s UTeach? It’s an innovative program that allows students to explore teaching first-hand, learn valuable teaching skills, and develop a deeper understanding of math and science. So, Jones is teaching students to be teachers rather than teaching traditional STEM classes.
WRBL
Sunday Conversation: CSU External Affairs VP John Lester on his return to Columbus
by: Chuck Williams
Columbus State University Vice President for External Affairs John Lester returned to Columbus earlier this year after spending five years working at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. He was previously in communications at CSU from 2001 until 2018. He sits down with WRBL’s Chuck Williams to talk about CSU, the city of Columbus and how they inspect. He also talks about how Columbus has changed — and hasn’t changed — over the last five years.
Albany Herald
ASU art students’ works on display in annual College Art Exhibit
By Carlton Fletcher
While Albany Area Arts Council Executive Director Nicole Williams praised the talent and the art of Albany State University students whose works are the centerpiece of the Arts Council’s 18th annual College Art Exhibition, she admitted that the COVID-induced loss of participation by other regional college students was a concern. Despite the lack of participation by students outside Albany, there was no lack of interest in the exhibit, unveiled at a reception Thursday night at the Arts Council’s 215 N. Jackson St. gallery. A large crowd came out to support the ASU program and its students whose works will be on display through May 2.
Grice Connect
Small Business Development Center to host no-cost digital marketing bootcamp in Statesboro
Special to Grice Connect
The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern University (UGA SBDC) invites small business owners, entrepreneurs, and marketers to attend a no-cost Digital Marketing Bootcamp on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at AgSouth Farm Credit’s Event Facility in Statesboro, GA. Digital Marketing Bootcamp is a three-hour training program that guides attendees through setting measurable marketing goals for their business and provides insight on how SEO, social media, and technology can help them reach their goals.
Grice Connect
Ashlea Mask Ashlea Mask
On Saturday, April 6, 2024, Georgia Southern University’s Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music presents its String Area Recital featuring String Students & Magnolia String Quartet, assisted by Dr. Karla Rocker & Dr. Michael Braz. The recital will begin at 5:00pm in the Carter Recital Hall on Georgia Southern’s Statesboro campus and is free admission. …The Georgia Southern Symphony and String Camerata, a premier ensemble of the Gretsch School of Music, has been a recipient of an Emmy Award and featured in performances throughout the State and Region,…
Times-Georgian
Sheriff’s office holds workshop for criminal justice students
The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office held a crime scene investigation workshop at the University of West Georgia for students studying criminal justice. Deputy Anna Garmon and Investigator Nick Miller provided the training of knowledge in the basics of crime scene processing, allowing students to process several mock crime scenes.
Clayton News-Daily
Georgia Archives Program To Highlight History Of Central State Hospital
From staff reports
The Georgia Archives Lunch & Learn presentation, “Central State Hospital: An Oral History”, by Joe Windish is scheduled Friday, April 12 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Georgia Archives, 5800 Jonesboro Road, Morrow. The presentation is free and no registration is required.
WTOC
Georgia Southern’s Armstrong Campus presents “Silent Sky”
By Kyle Jordan
A group of student performers at Georgia Southern are ready to reach for the stars when they take the stage next week. They’ll share the story of woman who made stars her life even when it wasn’t widely accepted.
The George-Anne
Armstrong Alumni Celebrates Her First Year as a Published Author
Emmalyne Roper, Editor-in-Chief
Author Alisha Emrich published her first novel, “NerdCrush,” a little over a year ago with Hachette Book Group, and her next book is in the works. Emrich found her roots in Savannah, graduating from Armstrong with an English degree in 2009. From there, she continued her studies and earned three more degrees, finishing with an MFA in Genre Writing at Southern New Hampshire. …Within the novel, students can expect to find a few relics from home, including Georgia Southern University, where Ramona’s older sister attends college.
The Daily Targum
Pulitzer Prize-winning U. professor receives Blackwell Prize
Maya Stokley
Gregory Pardlo, a Rutgers—Camden alum and an associate professor in the Department of English and Communication at Rutgers—Camden, was recently awarded the Blackwell Prize by the University of West Georgia, according to a press release. The Blackwell Prize is given as a writing award in the spring and a painting award in the fall to recognize exceptional achievement in these disciplines, according to the award’s website. Each year, distinguished writers are invited to the University of West Georgia campus for readings and community interactions. The Daily Targum spoke to Pardlo about the prize, and he said that he was introduced to the award through a University of West Georgia faculty member, who nominated him for it.
Times-Georgian
UWG cheer athletes to compete for Team USA
By UWG ATHLETICS
Ten Wolves who represent the red and blue of the University of West Georgia are set to trade their UWG uniforms to represent the red, white, and blue of the United States of America at the ICU World Cheerleading Championships on April 24-26. Vada Parker and Jalen Jones will represent the Wolves on Team USA Coed while Abby Wang, Piper Horner, Abby Faith, Kalli Grace Turman, Haley McBroom, Jasmine Braddock, Journey Norris, and Sarah Klinck will be on Team USA All Girl.
Marietta Daily Journal
Kennesaw State opens KSU Owls Exchange to aid NIL opportunities
By John Bednarowski
Kennesaw State Athletics, in conjunction with Influencer, has announced the start of the KSU Owls Exchange to expand name, image, and likeness opportunities for KSU student-athletes. The launch continues Kennesaw State’s preparations to maximize opportunities for its student-athletes as it moves into Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision on July 1. This modernized platform is a free service to both student-athletes and third parties with a directory and customized portal to connect businesses, collectives, donors, alumni, and fans with student-athletes for NIL transactions.
Columbus CEO
Brad Huskisson on the Softball Program at Columbus State University
Columbus State University Head Softball Coach Brad Huskisson talks about the positive impact CSU’s softball program has on the community.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State baseball sweeps Morehouse College
By Joe Whitfield Sports Editor
Albany State baseball sweeps Morehouse; Golden Rams smash six home runs
The ball was jumping this weekend at Albany State West as the Golden Rams slammed six home runs and a total of 36 hits in three games as the team swept three games from visiting Morehouse College. The wins improve the Golden Rams’ season record to 25-8 overall and 22-2 in the SIAC.
Albany Herald
PHOTOS: Albany State football competes in Spring Game
By Joe Whitfield Sports Editor
The “Dirty Blue” defense of the Albany State Golden Rams rocked the offensive unit Saturday during the annual Blue and Gold game at Albany State Coliseum in an intrasquad game that concluded the spring season.
BVM Sports
West Georgia Baseball Triumphs over Alabama Huntsville: Dudley, Hickman Lead Pitching Dominance
By BVM Sportsdesk
The University of West Georgia Baseball team secured a 4-2 victory in Game One of the series against Alabama Huntsville, with Seth Dudley and Jonathan Hickman shining on the mound on Friday.
The Union-Recorder
West Georgia surge leads to DH sweep at GCSU
Matthew Brown
In a college softball doubleheader held Wednesday at the Peeler Complex, there were essentially three seventh-inning meltdowns in the field. Only one changed the outcome of the ball game in which it occurred, and none worked in the favor of the home-standing Georgia College & State University Bobcats. Non-conference tilts were usually good to the Bobcats and first-year head coach Kenneth Bellamy in 2024, but not Wednesday. The West Georgia Wolves of the Gulf South Conference visited Milledgeville for two and went on a scoring surge that began in the seventh inning of the opening contest. It carried over for a majority of Game 2, and it was two more losses for GCSU by finals of 6-4 and 18-14.
PGA Tour
Georgia native Steven Fisk wins Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club
Steven Fisk is Georgia through and through. He was born in Atlanta and grew up on a par-3 course and driving range his father built (and still operates) in his childhood hometown of Stockbridge. He played college golf for Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, a little under 200 miles from home. He and his wife, Edith, wed last month in Augusta. And Sunday evening in Savannah, roughly an hour drive from Georgia Southern, the 26-year-old Fisk earned his first Korn Ferry Tour win. Fisk birdied three of the final four holes of regulation and defeated Rob Oppenheim in a sudden-death playoff, capturing the 2024 Club Car Championship at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club with a two-putt par on the Deer Creek Course’s par-5 18th hole.
See also:
WJCL
Three former Georgia Southern Eagles soaring into the weekend at 2024 Club Car Championship
Former Georgia Southern standout Steven Fisk enters weekend tied for first (-9), Ben Carr & Mason Williams tied for 26th
WJCL
Three former Eagles near top of the leaderboard entering final round at Club Car Championship
Athens Banner-Herald
A life well lived: Remembering Kevin “Catfish” Jackson
Dennis Knight, Savannah Morning News
Inspired by a high school coach who encouraged him to follow his football dreams while gaining a valuable education — Kevin “Catfish” Jackson went to Athens and found the spotlight as a defensive lineman at the University of Georgia, where he played for the legendary Vince Dooley and was a member of the 1980 National Championship team. Known for his competitive fire on the field — and his innate ability to connect with everyone he encountered off of it — Jackson came to Savannah and built on that legacy in a life filled with success as a businessman, coach and first, and foremost, a man devoted to his family. Jackson died in Savannah on Thursday at the age of 62, a couple weeks after suffering a heart attack. The reaction to Jackson’s passing came quickly from all corners of the state as Governor Brian Kemp posted about the loss on X, while UGA football Coach Kirby Smart also offered his condolences, along with former teammates, players he coached, friends, politicians and business associates. “He did so many things throughout his life, and I never really took time to reflect on how many lives he actually impacted,” his son, Kevin Jackson Jr. said on Friday. “We had 22 thousand visitors on a page where we were updating his condition and to see all the people he has touched meant so much to our family. We’ve been overwhelmed by all the love and support we’ve received in the last two weeks.
See also:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lawyers in UGA crash lawsuit spar over delays
An attorney claims the UGA athletic association has purposefully sought to delay lawsuits linked to a tragic January 2023 crash; UGA denies the allegation.
By Dylan Jackson
Nearly a year after the family of Georgia football player Devin Willock sued the University of Georgia Athletic Association and others seeking accountability for his tragic death in an early-morning SUV crash, the case remains at a standstill as the sides argue over a delay in the case. In a court filing last week, an attorney representing the Willock family said he has evidence supporting his claim the athletic association arranged state Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens) to represent defendant Jalen Carter in order to use Cowsert’s unique power as a state lawmaker to delay the lawsuit. State law allows attorney-lawmakers to delay court calendars so they can attend to their legislative business. The lawsuit, first filed in May of last year, has been stayed throughout the legislative session, which began in early January.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
After FAFSA Issues, Education Department Faces ‘Crisis of Credibility’
Colleges and universities say they need more honesty and transparency from the department to rebuild their trust in the federal financial aid system.
By Katherine Knott
Hard-pressed college administrators got some welcome news last Thursday, when the Education Department announced an abrupt about-face. A few days after saying that it would not reprocess most of the financial aid applications that have been marred by a tax issue—around 20 percent of the millions of applications—the department announced that it would, in fact, do so. It was just one more turn on the roller coaster of mistakes and missed deadlines that have marred the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA). “I wake up every morning cringing about what update we’re gonna get today,” said Eric Nichols, vice president for enrollment management at Loyola University Maryland. The FAFSA launch, plagued by a series of delays and technical issues, has shaken confidence in the department among college administrators, students and families.
See also:
Inside Higher Ed
Borrower Defense Rules Blocked Again
By Katherine Knott
The Biden administration’s new rule making it easier for a defrauded borrower to seek debt relief has “numerous statutory and regulatory shortcomings,” a federal appeals court ruled last week. The judges said that a lawsuit seeking to overturn those regulations is likely to succeed. The administration is expected to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. The new “borrower defense to repayment” rules, which were finalized October 2022, have been on hold since last summer pending appeal after a Texas district court declined to issue a preliminary nationwide injunction. Career Colleges & Schools of Texas (CCST), a trade association representing for-profit colleges in the state, sued to block the regulations from taking effect. The group argued the rules exceeded the department’s authority and violated the Constitution.
Higher Ed Dive
Education Department is ‘concerned’ about potential OPM failures as groups sound alarm on 2U
A spokesperson said the agency was worried about how the collapse of an online program management company would impact college students.
Ben Unglesbee, Senior Reporter
Dive Brief:
The U.S. Department of Education is “concerned” about the impact a potential financial failure of 2U and other online program management companies would have on students, an agency spokesperson told Higher Ed Dive in a statement Thursday. The statement was in response to an open letter Tuesday from advocacy groups — the Student Borrower Protection Center, Project on Predatory Lending, and Center for American Progress — calling on the department and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau to protect students from what they described as a “looming collapse” of 2U. 2U did not comment on the record about the groups’ letter by press time.
Inside Higher Ed
Mythology Behind the Solar Eclipse: Academic Minute
By Doug Lederman
Today on the Academic Minute, part of Indiana University’s Total Solar Eclipse segment: Moira Marsh, researcher and folklore librarian, uses mythology to tell the story of the darkened daytime sky. Learn more about the Academic Minute here.