University System News:
www.wtvm.com
Americus moves forward after tragedy, remembers officers
http://www.wtvm.com/story/34022726/americus-moves-forward-after-tragedy-remembers-officers
By Emileigh Forrester, Anchor
As families of officers Nicholas Smarr and Jody Smith prepared to bury their loved ones, the community of Americus continued mourning the loss of the officers. While moving forward after the tragedy will not be an easy task, those close to the officers are expressing how they plan to do so. Family, friends, and even those who didn’t know officers Nick Smarr and Jody Smith continued mourning their deaths throughout the weekend. “We will forever remember the sacrifices that they made in our community to ensure our safety,” said GSW Interim President Dr. Charles Patterson. A vigil Friday night at Georgia Southwestern State University brought insight into the suffering their families were facing.
www.thepostsearchlight.com
Carvajal announced as next VSU president, recounts time in Albany
By Powell Cobb
Managing Editor
Richard Carvajal was chosen by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to be the next president of Valdosta State University on Friday morning. He will assume his post on Jan. 1, 2017, according to USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby. Prior to VSU, Carvajal has spent the last year as interim president of Darton State College in Albany and served as president at Bainbridge State College from January 2011 to December 2015. “Dr. Carvajal is a proven leader in the System having already led two USG institutions,” said Huckaby. “I am looking forward to what he will bring to Valdosta State and the Valdosta community.” When Carvajal was asked by Hucakby a little over a year ago to be interim president of Darton State College while it was consolidated with Albany State College, Carvajal didn’t want to leave Bainbridge, but saw it as an opportunity to improve all of Southwest Georgia, a place he loves.
www.albanyceo.com
Board of Regents Finalizes Consolidation of Albany State University and Darton State College
Staff Report From Albany CEO
The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia granted final approval for the creation of the new Albany State University from the consolidation of Albany State University and Darton State College. The board approved a resolution consolidating ASU and DSC effective January 1, 2017. The board recognizes the many strengths both institutions bring to the new ASU. The new ASU builds upon the HBCU mission to serve an increasingly diverse student population and community and will continue to serve the access mission, offering workforce related degrees. Both institutions were key business and community partners; the new ASU will expand on those partnerships for the benefit of the region and state.
www.albanyherald.com
Albany State University graduates 300 at fall commencement
Albany State University graduates receive education specialist, master’s and bachelor’s degrees on Saturday
By Jennifer Parks
The approximately 300 fall graduates of Albany State University were encouraged on Saturday to maintain the institution’s legacy and move through the next chapter of their life with determination. The graduates, receiving degrees on the education specialist, master’s and bachelor’s degree levels, were at the Albany Civic Center taking part in the final commencement ceremony ahead of the school’s consolidation with Darton State College next month. Albany State President Art Dunning, in his commencement address, discussed the changes ahead for the institution, advising the graduating class to make a commitment to remain supporters of ASU, despite the fact that the institution is going through such impactful change. “Albany State University is changing, and I want you to be an advocate (in support) of that change,” he said. Christopher Blake, president of Middle Georgia State University, delivered the keynote address to the graduates. He started his remarks by noting that a degree gives a person a discipline meant to help them interpret the flow of information in an ever-changing society presenting challenges as that flow gets faster. “Your degree should help you measure information as you find it,” he said.
www.walb.com
ASU welcomes a new beginning with graduating class
http://www.walb.com/story/34023157/asu-welcomes-a-new-beginning-with-graduating-class
By Alex Weaver, Reporter
After years of hard work, students at Albany State University walked across the stage Saturday morning. Thousands of proud family and friends filled the Civic Center for ASU’s Fall commencement. This graduating class will be the last class to see ASU without the joining of Darton State. Both faculty and students say the future is bright. Draped in the traditional cap and gown, and topped with decorated caps, students welcomed the closing of a chapter at Albany State University’s commencement ceremony.
www.albanyherald.com
Darton State College graduates final class
Terry Lewis
Mixing nostalgia and hope, Darton State College becomes part of the new Albany State University as its final graduating class walked across the stage at the Cavalier Arena Friday night. Darton State College graduated its largest class in history Friday night at the Cavalier arena. The school graduated nearly 700 as it held its final commencement exercise in from of a standing room only crowd.
www.wtoc.com
CSU graduates 703 in fall 2016 commencement ceremony
http://www.wtoc.com/story/34022565/csu-graduates-703-in-fall-2016-commencement-ceremony
By J.T. Fellows, Digital Content Producer
A total of 703 students will graduate in Columbus State University’s fall 2016 commencement ceremony. The commencement will be held at the Columbus Civic Center Saturday afternoon. …Among the 703 graduates will be CSU’s first graduate from the Guidance and Opportunities for Academic and Leadership Success (GOALS) program, which provides an inclusive college experience for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are working toward a meaningful career.
www.tiftongazette.com
Two students receive top awards at ABAC fall commencement ceremony
Two students received top honors as the most outstanding graduates during Thursday’s fall commencement ceremony at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Hillery Reeves, an agricultural communications major from Rebecca, received the Alumni Association Award for bachelor’s degree graduates and Madison Thornhill, a writing and communications major from Tifton, received the George P. Donaldson award for associate degree graduates. Each recipient was selected through an application and interview process conducted by the ABAC Alumni Association, which provided a plaque and a check for $500 for each of the recipients. ABAC Alumni Director Lynda Fisher said the Donaldson Award has been a part of the commencement ceremony for many years, and the Alumni Association decided to add the additional award for bachelor’s degree graduates in the fall 2014 ceremony.
www.accesswdun.com
University of North Georgia holds three commencement ceremonies next week
By AccessWDUN Staff
On Dec. 16 and 17, the University of North Georgia (UNG) will host three commencement ceremonies to celebrate the students and families of the fall 2016 graduating class. The ceremonies will also feature addresses from several speakers, including: David Araya and Angela Hurtado, UNG alumni and founders of the Hispanic high school organization HoPE; Greg Blount, a UNG alumnus and a partner in the environmental and natural resources practice at Troutman Sanders; and Dr. Jeff Bearden, superintendent of Forsyth County Schools.
www.savannahnow.com
Savannah military veteran, businessman returns to college after 40 years, graduates
By Dash Coleman
When Solomon Dillon Jr. walks across the stage Saturday to receive his degree in business management from Savannah State University, he will have completed a journey that began 48 years ago. The Vietnam War put Dillon’s college ambitions on hold, and then he got busy with a career, raising a family and launching his own businesses. Then, in his early 60s, he decided to hit the books again. “It was a challenge, but I never back down from a challenge, being military,” said Dillon, 66, Thursday. Dillon enrolled at Savannah State in 1968, when he was 18, to study chemistry. The next year, anticipating the draft, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, which sent him to Vietnam. …His math and science background gave him a leg up when he was transitioning back to civilian life, and he landed a job at Eastman Kodak Co. …But he never forgot about wanting to go to college. …Initially, it wasn’t easy to find records from his first stint at Savannah State — the registrar wasn’t even in the same building, and the school had expanded dramatically in size and scope.
www.wsls.com
College student striving high, despite dealing with disorder
http://wsls.com/ap/college-student-striving-high-despite-dealing-with-disorder/
JAMES SIMPSON, The Associated Press
LAGRANGE, Ga. (AP) — Having epilepsy doesn’t have to hold you back from accomplishing certain things you want to achieve in your life. Olivia Grego is a living proof of that. Grego, a former Troup High School student, is currently a freshman at Columbus State University and is majoring in Theatre Education. A regular freshman attending college many would think. Not at all. Grego, 18, has a disorder called epilepsy. Epilepsy is a neurological disorder where the nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed causing episodes of seizures, loss of consciousness, convulsion and sensory disturbance. …As a student dealing with epilepsy, Grego found out about UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship program from her sister and applied for it. She was one of 40 recipients in the U.S. awarded the scholarship in 2016. …“The scholarship has been incredible for me,” said Grego. “Having epilepsy when I was young put a real financial burden on my family. It’s really helped me pursue my dreams and without it I would be in a lot of debt right now. So, having this scholarship has been a blessing.” Her disorder has not stopped Grego from living her life to the fullest.
www.chronicle.augusta.com
AU professor earn’s distinction for her unique teaching style
By Doug Stutsman Staff Writer
Standing in front of her class of graduate students recently, Augusta University professor Rebecca G. Harper gave them an unusual assignment. “OK, let’s do ‘pearls on a string,’ ” Harper told her class of teachers. “This is a great way to get students out of their seats.” For Harper, the purpose of the assignment wasn’t to necessarily get them out of their seats. In fact, it was a tip for the graduate class to bring to their own classrooms. The goal of the assignment was simple: create a living paragraph. So one by one, members of Harper’s class rose from their seat, walked to the board, and stated a sentence from The Three Little Pigs. The first student said, “There’s a big, bad wolf.” The next said, “There was a house made out of straw.” As each sentence was read, the students realigned to match how the story should read. And eventually, the story was complete. …The ‘pearls on a string’ project was Harper’s latest unique strategy to engage a classroom. Her tactics have been recognized by Augusta University officials, earning Harper the Individual Teaching Excellence Award. The award honors an Augusta University faculty member who demonstrates a strong commitment to teaching, uses effective teaching strategies and has a strong commitment to fostering student academic success.
www.valdostadailytimes.com
VSU management institute wins award
Valdosta State University has earned the 2015-2016 Institute of Management Accountants Outstanding Student Chapter Award for Excellence, according to a press release. “Our chapter promoted IMA’s mission and vision by providing a variety of activities and service opportunities to our student members,” said Ravisara Dowden, VSU IMA president. “This year, VSU’s IMA student chapter really went above and beyond to earn the award.” VSU IMA held monthly meetings where it hosted guest speakers shared experiences in the professional world. The group also organized a plant tour to the Georgia Gulf Sulfur Corporation in Bainbridge and volunteered at the region’s leading hunger-relief organization, Second Harvest of South Georgia. VSU IMA received the award for the second consecutive year.
www.mdjonline.com
KSU theater majors to test their skills in New York
http://www.mdjonline.com/news/owls-head-to-the-big-apple-ksu-theater-majors-to/article_a3b55f8e-be4e-11e6-95c4-0f8d08a56e1c.html
Mary Kate McGowan
Two Kennesaw State University students and their professor are heading to New York City after finishing finals to put on two off-Broadway productions. Rick Lombardo, chair of KSU’s theater and performance studies department, will direct two plays — “Albatross” and “Ring Twice for Miranda” — with the help of theater majors Ashton Nicole Montgomery of Augusta and Danny Crowe of Marietta. Since becoming department chair two years ago, Lombardo has tried to find opportunities for his students to experience theater outside the metro Atlanta area and Southeast region, and he is using his rare opportunity of opening two shows in New York within weeks of each other as a learning experience for his students.
www.savannahnow.com
UPDATE: Police investigate death of Armstrong State University student
Armstrong State University released the following statement earlier today regarding the death of a student: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that at 10:29 a.m. on December 10, the Armstrong Police Department conducted a welfare check on Jaquetta Gibson – a junior from Harlem, Ga., living in Compass Point residential housing – and discovered the student dead on arrival. There was no evidence of foul play and no threat to Armstrong’s campus community. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is currently investigating the incident. We extend our deepest sympathies to Jaquetta’s family and friends during this difficult time and mourn the tragic loss of an important member of our Armstrong community.”
www.accesswdun.com
Reported armed robbery at nearby store prompts lockdown at UNG-Gainesville campus
By AccessWDUN staff
At last report, authorities continued to search for a suspect who held up a Game Stop store near the University of North Georgia’s Gainesville campus. The hold-up prompted a brief lockdown of the UNG campus just before 3 p.m.Sunday.