Archive for category: Alumni Spotlight

Courtney Khail (BFA ’07), a self-proclaimed lover of nature and detailed art, has found a way to combine her passions. Courtney was inspired to start her business, Courtney Khail Watercolors, after seeing that there was a desire for fine art stationery that also had a handmade aesthetic. Courtney Khail Watercolors has expanded its original client list, which consisted of mostly friends, family and co-workers, to now also serve art enthusiasts who are looking for something one-of-a-kind. She has dubbed her clients “modern traditionalist.”

The alumna’s full-service studio boasts brilliant original watercolor paintings, custom wedding invitations and stationery. Hints of her scientific illustration background can be seen in her work, as she often combines watercolors with graphic lines. With this technique, Courtney attempts to focus the viewers’ attention on her artistic choices, such as color variations, textures, and shapes, rather than the subject matter of her pieces. To get a closer look at Courtney’s artistic process and her background, read the interview below:

Courtney Khail (Courtney Reece)

BFA 2007, Scientific Illustration, Graduated Summa Cum Laude

Resides in Atlanta, Georgia

Describe your UGA experience.

I am originally from Augusta, Georgia, and came to UGA to study advertising. After attending UGA’s Freshman College, I realized just how much I missed being in the studio and promptly changed my major to fine art. More specifically, I chose an interdisciplinary study in scientific illustration, which was introduced to me by my Honors art advisor. After hearing me lament about no longer having any science courses to take, he suggested I give scientific illustration a shot. It ended up being the perfect choice as it provided the ability to tailor my course requirements to what truly interested me – both artistically and academically.

In addition to the Honors Program, I was also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, an anatomy and physiology teaching assistant, and for two semesters, I re-lived freshman year as an RA in Creswell Hall.

Was there a particular professor, class or experience that influenced you while at UGA?

Studying abroad in Cortona, Italy (one of Lamar Dodd’s study abroad programs) was by far one of the most amazing, life-changing experiences of my life. I was actually in Cortona when I decided to pursue fine art full time after college. The people, culture, and the scenery change you. Even if you have to take out a loan, I strongly encourage every student to study abroad at least once during their college career.

As for professors, I was fortunate to have so many amazing ones while at Georgia. A few names that come to mind immediately are Deloris Wenzel, Alex Murawski, Janice Simon, Scott Belville, Rocky Sapp, and Neil Summerour. Each of their influences helped shape the artist and person I am today.

Give us a peek into life just after graduation.

Right after graduation, I became the Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Coordinator for UGA’s Cellular Biology Department. While not related to art, it was a fantastic job that taught me so much about managing people, producing quality work, and working in an academic setting. I worked there until relocating to Atlanta, where my husband Jordan was studying to receive his doctorate in pharmacy.

I fell in love with invitation design after creating our wedding invitations and began working at a stationery store to learn more about the retail side of the business. In 2009, I took the leap and launched my fine art invitation company, Courtney Khail Watercolors. After Jordan graduated from pharmacy school in 2012, we moved to Denver, Colorado, where I expanded my company to include fine art paintings and stationery, in addition to custom invitations. After an amazing three years in Denver, Jordan and I realized just how much we missed family, friends, and the South, and in 2015 we moved back home to Atlanta.

What would be your advice to a student interested in “being their own boss” and launching his or her own business?

You have to passionately believe in what you do, as well as be self-motivated. Owning a business is tough work and when you’re faced with critics, challenges, and startup costs, it’s imperative to have that passion and drive in order to succeed. On a financial note, try to have at least six to twelve months of expenses saved before going out on your own. This will give you the ability to focus on what you are creating and make smart decisions based on what’s best for the business without the stress of how you will pay your bills. Lastly, don’t go at it alone. Get a mentor, surround yourself with people you admire and who are also passionate about what they do, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Tell us about your business and why you elected this career path.

I own Courtney Khail Watercolors – a fine art studio in Atlanta, Georgia. I originally started CKW to provide a way for couples to express their unique stories through one-of-a-kind fine art wedding invitations. A few years later, I added a stationery line in order to provide beautiful, timeless note cards for everyday life. Soon after, I began spending more time in the studio just creating art. When people began asking to purchase my paintings (as well as requesting commissioned work), I decided to offer my artwork to the public in addition to my paper goods. On any given day, you can expect to find me either painting in the studio, designing invitations (I only accept a limited number of wedding orders per year in order to guarantee an exceptional experience), selling my stationery (which can be found online as well as in various stores across the nation) or some combination of all of the above!

As for why I chose this path- I don’t think I chose it as much as it chose me. Being an artist has never been “what I do,” but rather “who I am,” so it seemed only fitting that art should be my career. I’m also fortunate to have come from a family full of entrepreneurs, so the idea of running a business was always exciting to me (as opposed to terrifying.) Of course, being self-employed definitely has its challenges, but I feel so grateful for the opportunities and success I’ve had thus far. Plus, in my opinion, nothing is more rewarding than spending every day adding beauty to someone’s life.

Anything else you’d like to share about UGA, being a Bulldog or advice for current students?

I know students have probably heard this a thousand times by now, but it’s important so I will say it again. Your time at UGA is limited and will go by so much faster than you could ever imagine. Do your best to take advantage of it all. Study abroad, take classes that interest you (not just the ones that will boost your GPA or fill a requirement,) meet someone new every day, get to know your professors, explore Athens, watch live music, go to art shows, kayak the Broad, and stay out too late. You may be a Bulldog for life, but you only get a couple of years to be a college student so make every moment count.

Meet UGA alumnus Ryan Fogelgren (BBA ’08), co-founder of Arches Brewing, a small-batch craft brewery located in Hapeville, Georgia. The craft brewing industry is one that has grown exponentially in recent years—both in prevalence and popularity. Ryan was introduced to the craft beer concept while living in Athens as he would often volunteer at Terrapin Beer Company, a Bulldog 100 business, or study local beer menus, fascinated by the varying flavors and styles. Ryan claims, “My girlfriend at the time, now wife, Lauren (BS ’08) would always get frustrated because I would spend so much time analyzing the beers that it would take me 20 minutes to pick one!”

Despite his entrepreneurial spirit, Ryan graduated with a degree in management, moved to Atlanta, and began working in technology sales. However, with a long-standing love affair with the brewing concept, he began to dig into the possibilities of opening a brewery of his own. After connecting with a few lawyers and biochemists-turned-brewmasters, Ryan and his business partners took a leap of faith to develop what is now known as Arches Brewing. With a combined 12 years of home-brewing experience already under their belts, the team spent a year developing a business plan and mastering an efficient brewing process with over 30 recipes.

The founders then spent a year building the Arches Brewing tasting room themselves— start to finish. Designed to feel like a Bavarian tasting hall with reclaimed and repurposed wood and fixtures, this UGA alumnus and his team proudly opened the doors of their commercial craft brewery in April 2016. Arches Brewing’s focus is to bring the best of old-world and modern brewing practices together to deliver beer styles never commercially brewed in Georgia. “We continue to have visitors from all over Georgia and the Southeast.  It has been an amazing journey and it’s only the beginning. We look forward to seeing where this story goes.”

Today, we are sharing an interview with alumnus Kazuya Takahashi. The interview was conducted by Kathryn Kao (ABJ ’13), content strategist for the College of Education. 

Kazuya Takahashi (MED ’07), an English teacher at Kogakuin University Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo, Japan and an alumnus of the University of Georgia’s College of Education, was selected as a top 10 finalist for the prestigious Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize for his innovative work in the classroom.

Takahashi was selected among 8,000 candidates around the world and is the first person from Japan to ever be nominated for the $1 million award. The Global Teacher Prize is the largest of its kind and is presented annually to an exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.

What was the biggest takeaway you gained from your studies at UGA’s College of Education? Are there any methods you’ve learned here that you currently apply to your everyday teaching? 

I owe a lot to the theory of instructional design. Although my degree is in instructional technology, I learned many useful things from friendly and knowledgeable teachers. They taught me cognitive science, instructional design, and cutting-edge technology in the academic world. They not only taught me the knowledge of subjects, but also how to use it in class. That’s why I could easily apply what I learned at UGA in my class when I came back to Japan.

Your Global Teacher Prize profile says you teach students using LEGO-based instruction. Can you give me a brief explanation of what this instruction focuses on and how it benefits students?

It’s based on the ideas of instructional design, Howard Gardner’s multiple intelligences theory, and constructionism. I think I learned this in Dr. Reeve’s class. With LEGO, I want to see different aspects of students’ intelligences. Schools usually focus on language intelligence. Teachers talk and students have to listen and answer back on a test. That’s why students who are good at speaking, listening, and writing are regarded as good students. However, students who are not good at language, but good at expressing themselves in other ways are not labeled as “good” or “exemplary” students. With LEGO, students can express themselves with things other than language and learn how to manage time. I can benefit a lot of things with LEGO instruction. Students can try to make their own products many times and easily get engaged in what they are doing.

 Why is it important for you to stress global citizenship in your teaching? How do students benefit from volunteer work?

My teaching style is based on learning science and constructionism. However, this kind of teaching philosophy is in vogue around the globe. There are a bunch of pedagogies and teaching curricula such as IB, Common Core, and national curricula. They compete with each other over which program is the most appropriate to educate the best and brightest kids and send them to prestigious colleges all over the world. I feel that this does not make any sense. Today, there are so many “smart” people with shining degrees, but the world has not gotten better. Wars are everywhere and the world economy is pretty messed up. I do believe we educators have to teach not only the subject, but also how students should take responsibility for their learning and contribute to others using what they learn.

So, I started a program in which students collaborate with a social entrepreneur in Indonesia and actually go work to solve social issues over there. In that sense, I think my teaching style is related to teaching global citizenship through daily classes. I want students to move around without paying attention to their borders.

The students who joined the Indonesia program said they learned a lot by doing something for others. They said they came to understand why they are learning and the importance of being responsible and serving others.

Can you tell me a bit about the space elevator competition you organized for your high school students? What has the response/results from this new initiative been like?

I only applied for the science promotion partnership fund and started the space elevator project. I got interested in this because I used LEGOs a lot in and outside of class, and I knew I could make a space elevator with LEGOs. I also wanted to introduce the students to college professors and some professionals at JAXA*. Results? I think students gained a more positive view on their learning and learned something real about space at JAXA.

*Note: JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, is Japan’s national aerospace agency designed to support the Japanese government’s overall aerospace development and utilization. 

What are some things you want to change or improve upon in the Japanese schooling system?

In Japan, students just study to go to a so-called good college and work for a good company. To put it in a simple way, they only study for themselves. That’s why they are afraid of making a mistake and dropping out of a single-track career path. However, I believe from this time on I have to educate kids who are passionate about both business and helping others. So, what I want to do is challenge their fixed mindsets.

As a teacher, what are you most proud of achieving or accomplishing?

I have not achieved anything yet. I am still working on being like the great teachers in my life. However, just one thing I can be proud of is that I have put the quality of Japanese education on the map through this prize.