University System News:
Staff Reports
Stories of sacrifice, service, purpose inspire Georgia Gwinnett College students at commencement
The importance of purpose, service, integrity, and sacrifice were among the themes of speeches delivered to Georgia Gwinnett College’s graduating students during its Dec. 1 fall commencement ceremony. Commencement keynote speaker Antonio Molina knows a thing or two about sacrifice. When he was just six years old, his family fled a civil war in El Salvador and emigrated to America. With “barely a penny to our name,” he said his family lived in a one-bedroom apartment and feasted most nights on arroz, frijoles and queso y crema. Although they were short on money, Molina shared during his speech that his family was long on dreams, determination and the hope of a new life in a new land.
Albany Herald/Yahoo! News
Albany State breaks ground for $8 million medical simulation center
By Alan Mauldin
With a little help from some friends, Albany State University celebrated the coming nursing and health sciences simulation center with University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue among those who showed up don a hard hat and toss some dirt. Speaking at the Wednesday groundbreaking at the university’s West Campus, the former governor made a quip that such a facility would have saved the lives of numerous goats when he was in veterinary school, referring to the dissection of the animals for students in training.
11 Alive
Gwinnett County woman keeps promise to her mother by earning college degree
By Karys Belger
Gas South Arena in Duluth was filled with the typical sounds of excited graduates and families Thursday. For one woman in particular, the day was truly special. “Once upon a time, I didn’t even think that it was possible,” Jolene McGee told 11Alive’s Karys Belger. Her road to graduation had a few challenges, but she remained determined. … After her father died, McGee worked multiple jobs to help bring in cash. Along the way, she had four children. She managed to find time to enroll at Georgia Gwinnett College when she was 30 years old, only to take another pause when she learned her mother was sick. For McGee, getting her degree is the culmination of a promise she made to her mom…. She joined more than 500 members of the Georgia Gwinnett College Fall 2022 graduating class Thursday.
Albany Herald/Yahoo! News
Georgia Southwestern plans pair of commencement ceremonies
Staff Reports
Georgia Southwestern State University will hold its Fall 2022 Commencement ceremonies Dec. 9 in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center, also known as the Storm Dome. … The commencement speakers will be Ashwani Monga, vice chancellor and chief academic officer for the University System of Georgia at the noon ceremony, and Richard McCorkle, executive director for Chattahoochee-Flint Regional Educational Service Agency, at the 4 p.m. ceremony.
WGAU
By Denise Ray
The University of North Georgia Alumni Association has announced the honorees for its inaugural “20 Under 40″ program. This recognition was established to honor members of the UNG family for extraordinary accomplishments, significant professional achievements, or distinguished service to others, and was created by Alumni Relations Officer Jared Patterson and the Young Alumni Board.
Albany Herald
Great Pollinator Census expands to include neighboring states
By Becky Griffin
On Aug. 23, 2019, students at Colham Ferry Elementary School participated in the state’s first-ever pollinator census. On Dec. 1, the Great Georgia Pollinator Census will become the Great Southeast Pollinator Census, expanding to include both South Carolina and North Carolina in the citizen science research project. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension launched the Great Georgia Pollinator Census in 2019 as a citizen science research project inviting Georgians from across the state to come together for two days in August to document pollinator populations. The annual project encourages residents to create sustainable pollinator habitats and to learn about the many types of pollinators throughout the year.
WGAU
UGA: Gen X retirement prospects are better than forecast
By Leigh Beeson
Only about one in three Americans have enough saved for retirement, according to a national survey. But new research from the University of Georgia offers what might be a silver lining to the doom and gloom: Generation X doesn’t appear any worse off than the baby boomers. That said, neither group appears to have saved enough to be on track with their retirement needs. And the millennials are even further behind.
Augusta CEO
Breakthrough long-COVID ‘brain fog’ drug being developed by Augusta University researchers
Staff Reports
Camellix, a startup biotechnology company partly owned by Augusta University (AU), and being advised by Chief Outsiders, develops novel products based on polyphenols derived from plants, today announced that as part of its NIH-funded research and development, the company has determined a polyphenol molecule EC16 in specific nasal formulations likely will be effective against Long-COVID associated neurologic symptoms such as loss of smell and brain fog. This ailment can include mild to serious problems with thinking, concentration, memory, and headaches.
Times-Georgian
Black Law Students Society hosts Warnock at UWG
By Kennae Hunter
The message was simply, “show up.” The Black Law Student Society organization at the University of West Georgia invited and hosted Sen. Raphael Warnock on the campus Thursday while on his campaign tour for the Senate runoff.
Higher Education News:
Inside Higher Ed
Debt relief heads to Supreme Court
By Katherine Knott
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether the Biden administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student loans for eligible Americans is legal. Last month, the Biden administration asked the court to lift an injunction currently blocking the debt-relief plan.
Higher Ed Dive
Purdue University reinstates admissions test requirements for fall 2024
By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf
Purdue University, one of the most prominent public institutions in the U.S., is restoring its admissions requirements that applicants submit SAT or ACT scores, starting for those who want to enroll in fall 2024, it said Tuesday.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
A rare survey of faculty morale shows that the pandemic’s effects continue to ripple
By Megan Zahneis
Covid-19’s ripple effects continue to place strain on faculty members’ personal and professional lives, according to a new report from the University of New Mexico. It’s a telling portrait of where faculty morale stands today and a rare contemporary comparison to the campus well-being surveys that were in vogue during the height of the pandemic in 2020.
Inside Higher Ed
The gradual, disjointed dispersion of academic Twitter
By Susan D’Agostino
On Oct. 28, Elon Musk tweeted, “The bird is freed,” signaling what would become his chaotic takeover of the social media platform. … Whether Twitter is destined for a fast or slow downfall, or no downfall at all, remains to be seen. But many in academe have already reassessed their futures on the social media platform and changed their tweeting habits.