Delicious, nutritious recipes to help you Attack The Day (5K)

June 11, 2020/by Clarke Schwabe

To get you ready for the Attack The Day 5K, we reached out to a few of our food-industry alumni and collected an assortment of tasty recipes that will keep you fueled up for June 20!

Peter Dale

ABJ ’99

Company: The National, Seabear Oyster Bar, Condor Chocolates, Maepole

I am a born and raised Athenian, and got into the food business because I love to eat and can’t sit still at a desk. Each business is a collaboration between myself and friends or family and addresses something we felt was missing in the Athens dining scene.

The newest restaurant is Maepole which offers fresh and healthy food in a fast and convenient format. Maepole is a response to needing a nutritious meal when I’m having a busy day and can’t cook for myself.

Grilled Summer Squash Salad

Serves 4

While I really love zucchini bread and squash casserole, this salad is a great way to enjoy your summer garden’s bounty without the guilt. The goat cheese is optional, and can be replaced with Greek yogurt or feta. For extra nutritional punch, add fresh spinach leaves along with the herbs.

1/2 cup pecan halves
6-8 small squash (about 2 lbs, yellow squash, zucchini or assorted heirloom varieties)
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 cup basil leaves
1/2 cup mint leaves
1 small sweet onion, sliced thin
1/2 cup fresh goat cheese

Preheat oven to 350°. Scatter the pecans on a baking sheet and roast for 5 minutes or until nicely browned and toasted. Let them cool before chopping or crushing lightly with the side of a large knife.

Place a ridged grill pan on high heat and leave it there until it is almost red hot–at least 5 minutes. Alternatively, use an outdoor grill, pre-heat to medium-high.

Meanwhile, trim the ends off of squash and cut on an angle into about 3/8-inch-thick slices. Place squash slices in a bowl and toss with half the olive oil, salt and black pepper. Place the slices on the hot grill pan and cook about 2 minutes on each side, turning them over using tongs. You want to get distinct char marks without cooking the squash through. Transfer to a mixing bowl, drizzle balsamic vinegar over and toss to combine. Set aside to cool slightly.

Once squash has cooled down, add the remaining olive oil, basil, mint, onion and pecans. Mix lightly and taste for seasoning. Place salad on plates, top with a dollop of goat cheese.

Sweet Potato Salad

Serves 4 as a side dish

Sweet potatoes are a nutritional powerhouse but save the brown sugar and marshmallows for Thanksgiving. This salad is great made ahead of time. Keep it in the refrigerator and serve as a dinner side dish, or add chickpeas and arugula to make a meat-free lunch entrée.

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch to 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup pecan pieces, lightly toasted
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375°.

Lay the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on a roasting tray. Drizzle 1/4 cup of the olive oil over the sweet potatoes and toss well. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes in oven until tender. Cool completely and reserve.

Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Mix well and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Beet Hummus

We serve a lot of hummus at The National, and it’s the perfect foil to warm flatbread and sliced vegetables. I think hummus can also serve as the base of an entrée. Hummus + grilled chicken + fresh tomato, cucumber, mint = a healthy and delicious summertime meal. This recipe makes a fantastic bright pink hummus that’s nutrient rich and will turn beet haters into beet lovers.

1 1/2 cups roasted beets, chopped (5-6 small or 2-4 medium ones)*
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1 can chickpeas (15.5 oz.), drained and rinsed
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp sesame tahini
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp warm water
salt and pepper to taste

*To roast the beets, cut off the tops and scrub the roots under water, put them in a covered dish with about 1/4-inch of water in a 375°F oven, and cook until easily penetrated with a knife or fork. Alternatively, cover with water in a saucepan and simmer until tender, about 1/2 hour. Peel once cooled.

Place all the ingredients except water, salt and pepper, in a food processor. Puree until smooth. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle the warm water into the hummus. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Drew French

BBA ’05

Company: Your Pie

Your Pie Pizza was started in Athens, GA in 2008 to change the way people experience pizza. We specialize in Italian style brick oven pizza custom made to order and craft beer and wine. Our 75 locally owned locations span across 19 states with the goal to improve the communities we serve.

Peach Prosciutto Pizza

Stretch the Your Pie pizza dough to 10 inches.

Top with some extra virgin olive oil and spread a thin layer of Ricotta cheese on top.

Next, add the thin sliced Prosciutto and top with 3 ounces of high quality mozzarella cheese and a pinch of shredded parmesan.

Finally, add 10 slices of Fresh GA Peaches in a circle.

Bake in a brick oven at 600 degrees for 4 minutes. (if you don’t have a brick oven, see you at Your Pie soon!).

After bake, top with fresh cut basil and a drizzle of honey balsamic reduction glaze.

Cut into 6 slices and enjoy!

Caroline Ward

BBA ’00, MPA ’03

Company: TransFit

I started TransFit in 2010 as I felt called to help people transform their lives from the inside out.

TransFit (short for Transformational Fitness) is a faith-based personal training studio for women in 5 Points! Our staff of personal trainers & registered dietician will help you achieve your whole body health goals. We will inspire you to transform your body, mind and spirit through customized personal training, group strength and cardio sessions, yoga, and nutrition consulting .

We deliver the results you want to see as we support and encourage you to achieve your personal goals!

Super Greens Salad

Combine baby arugula and baby spinach in a large bowl. Add cranberries, pecans, parmesan cheese, and apple slices. Squeeze the lemon then add the white balsamic for the dressing. Toss salad so all leaves are evenly coated then add cracked pepper. Serve and Enjoy!

TransFit Quinoa Cakes

Combine the quinoa, eggs, salt, and lemon pepper in a large bowl. Stir in the parsley, onion, and garlic.

Form the mixture into 1o thick patties (use a 1/4 cup to form into patties.) You want the mixture to be moist, so the patties do not taste dry.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, add 5 patties, cover, and cook for 7-10 minutes or unitl patties are deeply browned. Carefully flip the patties with a spatula and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden. Remove from skillet and cool on a large plate while you cook the remaining patties.

Chocolate Heaven Smoothie

Meet your Attack The Day 5K fitness instructors

June 9, 2020/by Clarke Schwabe

The first-ever Attack The Day 5K is on June 20, and to help Bulldog Nation get ready for this virtual 5K, several UGA alumni who work in the fitness industry will be offering free Zoom fitness classes to all ATD5K registrants! These alumni will give insight, tips and tricks on a wide variety of preparations for a 5k: from yoga to stretching to nutrition tips, we’ve got a class for all body types and fitness levels.

Interested in taking one of these classes? Sign up for the 5K, and you’ll find a link to register for classes in your Runner’s Packet PDF!

We’ll be adding new classes throughout the month, so watch this space to learn about everyone who can help you train like a Dawg!

Greer Hawkins Craig

(BBA ’07, MPH ’09)

Company: Go with Greer

Class time: Friday, June 12 @ 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Class description: Yoga and injury prevention tips with a body weight circuit component. Beginner level course, all body types welcome

“I own and operate Go with Greer, a mobile (and recently virtual) personal and group training company in Atlanta, GA specializing in pre- and post-natal health and weight loss. Since 2009, I have empowered individuals, moms, families, neighborhoods, companies and schools through customized workouts designed to effectively shed excess weight and maximize optimal wellness.”

Jennifer Tyler

(AB ’06)

Bio: Jennifer Tyler earned her degree in Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She has worked locally in Atlanta, in the Pacific Northwest and overseas as a Pastry Chef and Executive Chef. Her favorite dishes incorporate her Southern roots with a professional edge. She loves introducing new foods and techniques to her family and friends. Her culinary mission is to make cooking accessible and enjoyable.

Class time: Tuesday, June 16 @ 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Class description: For the class, Jennifer has designed a customizable pre-race meal. She will provide tips on adjusting the recipes to meet individual preferences in regard to macro-nutrients, allergies, and lifestyle. It’s also her mission to make cooking accessible, so she will offer several tips on just “making it work!” This approach should appeal to both novice and intermediate cooks.

“The planned menu for the demo is:

Seared Peanut Chicken with Soba Noodles: the dish is Gluten free, and the Protein can be adjusted or Plant-based. The Soba noodles (a carb) can be substituted with starchy vegetable “noodles,” rice, spaghetti, or whatever is on hand.

Ginger Honey Mint Syrup: designed as an after dinner “dessert” that can be used on seasonal fruit, as an after-dinner tea, or—for a more decadent approach—on grilled poundcake (yum!). Ginger and Mint are both great digestives to have after a meal.

For post-race electrolytes, I’ll do a quick demo on a Salted Lemonade/Limeade”

Caroline Ward

(BBA ’00, MPA ’03)

Company: TransFit

Class time: Wednesday, June 17 @ 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Class description: Caroline will cover strength and cardio training, yoga and nutrition. Beginner level course, all body types welcome

“I started TransFit in 2010 as I felt called to help people transform their lives from the inside out. TransFit (short for Transformational Fitness) is a faith-based personal training studio for women in 5 Points! Our staff of personal trainers & registered dietician will help you achieve your whole body health goals. We will inspire you to transform your body, mind and spirit through customized personal training, group strength and cardio sessions, yoga, and nutrition consulting.

Why TransFit? We deliver the results you want to see as we support and encourage you to achieve your personal goals!

We have a FREE TransFit APP & we are located on MINDBODY or visit website for more info www.transfitathens.com and email us with any questions.”

UGA grad connects people in the age of social distancing

May 8, 2020/by Erin Geoghan

It’s no secret that the coronavirus has made dating more complicated. Typical date spots are shut down and those in quarantine alone are prevented from meeting potential romantic interests in person.

But that didn’t stop roommates Rance Nix (ABJ ’14) and Thi Q. Lam from spreading love to thousands of people throughout New York City on their Love is Blind spinoff called Love is Quarantine.

While hunkered down in quarantine, the two binge-watched Love is Blind, just before the governor of New York City issued “stay-at-home” orders. This inspired Nix’s roommate, Lam, to recreate the show to connect people and help them adapt to the new COVID-19 dating realties.

“I’m committed to doing my part by staying home, practicing social distancing, and giving back where I am able to do so,” said Nix. “Love is Quarantine has been an awesome opportunity to spread love and get people’s minds off of the pandemic and chaos in the world.”

On March 17, they began setting up friends and mutual friends on blind telephone dates. Participants put their names and numbers in a Google Sheet. From there, Nix texted couples directly and asked them to pick up the phone and have a conversation…and then the dates began!

The show exists entirely on Instagram. After each date, participants record faceless videos that recount their experience.

The social-media based show quickly caught the attention of thousands- including the media. Since the launch, they have aired 9 episodes with over 50 dating contestants. Their Instagram has grown to 18.8k followers and outlets including the New York Times, Forbes and the Washington Post have covered Nix and Lam’s project.

Given their booming popularity, the pair has sold Love is Quarantine merchandise and donated the proceeds to Feeding America.

Full of Georgia spirit and a smile that never wavers, Nix can brighten just about anyone’s day. As an undergraduate on campus, you could find him creating hype songs for game days, on the sidelines cheering at sporting events or campaigning for student government.

Do you know a Georgia Bulldog helping others or their alma mater during the COVID-19 outbreak? We’d love to hear their story!

Dawgs design CDC’s COVID-19 graphic

April 10, 2020/by Emily Munnell

For Dan Higgins (BFA ’93) and Alissa Eckert (BFA ’04), their days sheltering in place aren’t that different than those of their friends and neighbors in Atlanta or for their fellow Dawgs throughout the Bulldog Nation. They are balancing teleworking with homeschooling children and calming older relatives they can no longer visit. For Dan, that means creating a ballet studio where the sofa once sat. For Alissa, it means becoming a kindergarten and third grade teacher. What does set them apart is that they also make time for interviews with The New York Times. That’s because this dynamic duo created the ominous image of the COVID-19 virus that appears on nearly every news broadcast, in countless publications, internet outlets and splashed across social media feeds.

You see, in addition to being University of Georgia Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Lamar Dodd School of Art alumni, Dan and Alissa are medical illustrators with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Alissa remembers receiving a phone call on a Tuesday in January. A new virus that originated in China was spreading rapidly and the public needed to understand the gravity of the situation. An arresting visual would give the virus a face, making tangible something people can’t see with the naked eye. Dan and Alissa worked together to research and pose questions to the subject matter experts in the lab at the CDC. Armed with that information, Dan jumped on the World Protein Data Bank and downloaded images of each of the three main proteins that make up the virus. Pulling those files into a data visualization tool, he was able to export them as three-dimensional (3D) images.

Process of turning the S protein from the World Protein Data Bank into a 3D image. (Alissa Eckert, Dan Higgins/CDC)

It was Alissa who combined those pieces together to begin to form the image that is so familiar today. With input from CDC scientists, they identified how many of each protein to show, how the spatial distancing should appear and where the lighting should come from in order to establish the proper depths. Dan and Alissa muted the colors to convey the seriousness of the situation. They were careful not to make the virus look playful.

As Alissa explains, “We didn’t want it to look like a toy.”

They created a high contrast image with strong details and textures, elements that bring the virus to life and make it seem real and touchable. After an intense seven straight days of work, the pair finalized the now-famous image for approvals on the following Monday morning.

“Beauty Shot” of the novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19 (Alissa Eckert, Dan Higgins/CDC)

Since then, they have animated the virus image, creating a version that rotates in hopes of giving it more life. They have also lent their talents to symptom illustrations and the creation of graphics for social media to further help the public understand the virus and its impact. [Two PDF fliers – Prevention & Symptoms] During an outbreak, it’s an all-hands-on-deck situation that finds Dan and Alissa alternating with others on their team to be on call for evening and weekends.

The Dawg Squad

Speaking of their team, it’s a group of eight members (six medical illustrators and two non-medical illustrators), five of whom are UGA alumni. Alissa explains that the world of medical illustration is a small one. A master’s degree in medical illustration is only offered by three accredited medical universities in the United States, and one in Canada. The path for many begins with the University of Georgia, specifically in the Lamar Dodd School of Art.

The CDC Dawg Squad of scientific/medical visualization experts – Front row: Stephanie Pfeiffer Rossow (BSA ’13), Alissa Hogan Eckert (BFA ’04), Jennifer Hulsey Oosthuizen (BFA ’05); Back Row: Dan Higgins (BFA ’93), Meredith Boyter Newlove (BFA ’04) (photo provided by Dan Higgins)

The UGA Connection

When Dan and Alissa attended the University of Georgia, the art school was in the mid-century modern building that now houses the College of Environment + Design on North Campus. (The art school’s main building is now located on East Campus.) Although they graduated more than a decade apart, they both reminiscence about late nights in the studio and walking through North Campus to go downtown to the art store.

Dan always had a passion for art and science. He took many undergraduate sciences courses and majored in graphic design through the art school, which wasn’t named for Lamar Dodd until 1996. He said his graphic design coursework prepared him for his role at the CDC because of its emphasis on layout and design to tell a story. His advice for students who wish to pursue a career like his? Pair graphic design courses with medical illustration to better understand the importance of establishing a hierarchy to the flow of information and learn how to lead the eye to help convey a story. He mentions Alex Murawski as a UGA professor who had a positive impact on him. After UGA, Dan enrolled at the University of Illinois in Chicago to pursue a Master in Biomedical Visualization. There, he took art classes, of course, but also courses like Gross Anatomy and Physiology alongside medical students.

Dan with his parents at the UGA Art School’s Graphic Design Show his senior year in 1993. (photo provided by Dan Higgins)

Alissa majored in scientific illustration at UGA. She cites professor Gene Wright as a major influence in her time at Lamar Dodd. She credits the program with preparing her for graduate school and her eventual career at the CDC by emphasizing professionalism, presentation skills and directed studies that required hands-on work. She began at the CDC in 2006, right after completing her master’s degree in medical illustration from Medical College of Georgia. Her advice for anyone who wants to follow in her path? Get a background in both traditional and digital arts and become adept in two- and three-dimensional animation.

Alissa hanging with Hairy Dawg in Athens (photo provided by Alissa Eckert)

Dan and Alissa have worked together for 14 years. They sit across from one another at the CDC and collaborate on many projects, although it is rare that their images are turned around as fast as the COVID-19 one—or garner as much international attention.

In an email exchange, Lamar Dodd’s Kate Arnold conveyed to Alissa that the iconic image is now burned into her consciousness. She says she pictures it when deciding whether to touch something in the grocery store. Alissa loved hearing that. “That’s a perfect example of why we do this,” she says.

Asked if there was one message they would like to get out to the Bulldog Nation, Alissa said, “Hunker Down. Wait it out.” Dan adds, “Staying home is the most important thing.”

COVID-19 Insights

The Goal is Education
Helping people visualize the virus isn’t so much about accurately representing what it would look like under a microscope, but more about conveying why it is dangerous.

The virus can’t reproduce on its own. The virus hijacks healthy host cells, and it is these pirated cells that reproduce the virus. The image is intended to visually explain how that occurs.

Spike or S proteins – these are the spikey red protrusions in the image. These clumps of proteins attach the virus onto the host cell. It is these spikes that create the halo, or corona, around the virus. Alissa and Dan decided to highlight the S protein with the red color and plentiful number in the image because the barbs best communicate how the virus latches onto a healthy cell.

Envelope or E Proteins – these are the yellow specks in the image. They represent the smallest of the three main proteins that make up the virus. It is these proteins that channel through the membrane to gain access into the healthy cell.

Membrane or M Proteins – these are the orange crumbs in the image. They are the most abundant of the three proteins, they give form to the virus. This protein fuses with the membrane of the healthy cell.

Body – the gray surface in the image. This represents the envelope that surrounds the nucleus of the virus. Dan and Alissa decided to create a shadowy, highly textured surface that almost invites touch. Implying a tactile experience helps an abstract concept seem more concrete.

The most important thing to know about the virus is that it cannot spread on its own. People spread it.

Visit the CDC website to learn more. Discover more about UGA’s role in battling COVID-19, and visit UGA’s COVID-19 Information and Resources page to access a wealth of information gathered in one place.

What to watch: UGA quarantine edition

April 8, 2020/by Erin Geoghan

During times of uncertainty, we know one thing for sure: Dawgs always come out on top. We’ve compiled a list of 10 binge-worthy TV and movie options that feature some of our very own UGA grads to help you adjust to this ‘new normal.’

1. Power

Image: IMDb

Power is an American crime drama television series starring former UGA football defensive back, Omari Hardwick (AB ’96). Hardwick plays James St. Patrick, a wealthy New York night club owner who lives a double life as a ruthless drug-dealer under the street name “Ghost.”

2. Batman

Image: IMDb

Kim Basinger (M ’75) plays Vicki Vale, a photojournalist and Batman’s love interest, in this 1989 superhero film. This was a breakout role for the actress. Did you know? Basinger donated to the UGA men’s tennis team to help the Dan Magill Tennis Complex get its lights in 1991.

3. The Walking Dead

Image: IMDb

Don’t miss former UGA football player Hines Ward (BSFCS ’98) on The Walking Dead as a rotting zombie in the episode “The Suicide King.” After graduating from UGA, Ward went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers and later became a “Dancing with the Stars” champ.

4. Squidbillies

Image: Wikipedia

Squibillies is an adult animated television series on Cartoon Network’s late-night programming block, Adult Swim. Before completing the degree he started in the early 1970s, Bobby Ellerbee (AB ’16) became the voice of the sheriff on Squidbillies and led a successful 40+ year career on many radio and broadcast shows.

5. Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil

Image: IMDb

Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil tells the tale of Savannah’s eccentricities and the murder trial of a local millionaire. Frank “Sonny” Seiler (BBA ’56, JD ’57) was Jim Williams’ attorney in three of his final four trials (in real life). In the movie, based on a best-selling novel by John Berendt, Seiler was cast as the judge during the trial. But that’s not Seiler’s only claim to fame: he and his family have been raising UGA’s beloved bulldogs for decades.

6. Seinfeld

Image: IMDb

Wayne Knight (AB ’72) plays Newman, the antagonist on the sitcom Seinfeld. Newman is a recurring character that never gets along with stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld. The show highlights the humor in life’s mundane situations. Also catch Knight in Jurassic Park, playing the fumbling Dennis Nedry.

7. Friday Night Lights

Image: Hulu

Friday Night Lights is set in a small Texas town and follows the life of a high school football coach, his family and the players. The head football coach, Eric Taylor, is played by Kyle Chandler (M ’88). Chandler is also known for his role in the Netflix drama series Bloodline.

8. Friends

Image: IMDb

Friends is a classic top-rated television program in the U.S. that many know and love. The show follows the lives of six twenty-somethings living in Manhattan. James Michael Taylor (MFA ’89) plays the recurring role of Gunther, a coffee shop worker in love with lead character Rachel Green.

9. QB1: Beyond the Lights

Image: IMDb

QB1: Beyond the Lights stars former UGA quarterback Jake Fromm (M ’21). The series follows the lives of three high school quarterbacks in their season before they begin playing in Division I college football.

10. Iron Chef America

Image: TV Guide

This show is hosted by Alton Brown (AB ’04) and showcases chefs from around the world in one-hour culinary battles against “Iron Chefs.” Brown also hosts Good Eats, in which he shares the new cooking techniques behind his latest creations.

Danielle Derkink (MBA ’05) commits to inclusivity, advocacy

March 16, 2020/by Clarke Schwabe

Danielle Derkink (MBA ’05) is an enthusiast, whether she’s talking about her extensive experience in hospitality, being an advocate for women and diversity in the workplace, or creating awareness about childhood arthritis.

The daughter of Dutch immigrants, Derkink fell in love with hospitality at a young age through a family friend who was a live-in general manager at a hotel in Houston. She remembers learning about a new area of hospitality each time she visited her friends. She was curious and intrigued by the way a hotel functioned. Forgoing her initial childhood dream of being a female fighter pilot, Derkink embraced the excitement of a hotel management career instead and followed her passion to the Netherlands, where she received her Bachelors of Hospitality Administration at The Hotelschool The Hague.

Moving back to the United States to begin her career in hospitality, Derkink quickly began moving up the ranks as her career aspirations continued to grow. It was at this time she decided to pursue her Masters of Business Administration at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Upon completing her degree, she took a promotion to Washington, D.C. and served as a hospitality ambassador for the Terry MBA program in the city.

After a career opportunity in Tampa, FL and the birth of her first child, Elle, Danielle made the move to back to Atlanta and to IHG, a company that has allowed her to live out her other passions – philanthropy and advocacy for women and inclusivity in the workplace. When Elle was 2 years old, she was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In search of a support network, Derkink began volunteering with the Arthritis Foundation’s Georgia Chapter, of which she is now acting co-chair of the juvenile arthritis committee. Derkink has partnered with other organizations including the University of Georgia’s Alpha Omicron Pi to raise awareness about the disorder. Each year the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation and the sorority team up to put on the annual 5K “Run for the Roses” as a fundraiser.

Danielle (far right) at a Lean In event with Sheryl Sandberg (second from left) and other Atlanta-based Lean In leaders, Emily Schwarz and Alison Eminger.

IHG has provided Derkink a platform to demonstrate her commitment to women and inclusion in the workplace. For the fifth straight year, IHG has received a perfect score by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI). At IHG headquarters, Derkink has led the Women’s Lean In Group, inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s book. Derkink also actively attends IHG’s representation at the Atlanta Pride Parade annually, bringing her two daughters—and this past year, her mother too—to encourage them to be their authentic self.

In addition to her philanthropy and advocacy, Derkink has engaged with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences’ newest major Hospitality and Food Industry Management. IHG will sit on the board of the new major, helping to guide curriculum and support students. The University of Georgia is grateful to alumni, like Danielle Derkink, who are making an impact in their workplace and reconnecting with the university.

LEARN HOW TO CONNECT UGA WITH YOUR BUSINESS

2020 Alumni Awards recipients unveiled

March 4, 2020/by Danielle Bezila

Update as of April 1: Due to the ongoing public health concerns surrounding public gatherings, the 2020 Alumni Awards Luncheon is canceled. We look forward to sharing content in the coming weeks to virtually celebrate this year’s honorees.

The Alumni Association will celebrate individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a deep commitment to bettering the university during its 83rd annual Alumni Awards Luncheon on April 24.

This year’s honorees include:

Lynda Bradbury Courts

The Honorable Johnny Isakson

Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes Family

Peter Shedd

Sanford and Barbara Orkin

Christina Swoope Carrere

2020 Alumni Merit Awards

The Alumni Merit Award, which is given to those who bring recognition and honor back to the University of Georgia through outstanding leadership and service, will be presented to Lynda Bradbury Courts and the Honorable Johnny Isakson.

As a lifelong philanthropist, Lynda Bradbury Courts (AB ’63) has supported and served the university for decades in a multitude of ways. Perhaps most notably, she served as the chair for the University of Georgia Foundation board of trustees from 2004 to 2005.

After graduating from UGA, Sen. Johnny Isakson (BBA ’66) had a multi-decade career of public service to the state and the university. He holds the distinction of being the only Georgian ever to have been elected to the state House, state Senate, U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

2020 Family of the Year Award

The Dr. Hamilton E. Holmes family will receive the Family of the Year Award, which is presented to a family that demonstrates loyalty to UGA.

Dr. Hamilton Holmes Sr. (BS ’63) helped pave the way for future generations of students as the first African American male to attend UGA. The Holmes family has continued his legacy of opening doors and making campus more inclusive through their great support of UGA over the years.

2020 Faculty Service Award

Peter Shedd is receiving the Faculty Service Award. First presented in 1969, the award recognizes current or former UGA faculty and staff who have distinguished themselves in service to the university.

Peter Shedd (BBA ’74, JD ’77) has shown boundless commitment to the university and its students and faculty. He is an emeritus professor of legal studies at Terry College of Business. He was named the 1993 CASE Georgia Professor of the Year. He previously served as the associate dean of business, executive assistant to the president, interim VP for instruction and director of Terry College’s full-time MBA program. He has written numerous articles and two leading textbooks in the areas of the legal and regulatory environments of business and business law.

2020 Friend of UGA Award

Sanford and Barbara Orkin will be honored with the 2020 Friend of UGA Award, which is given to any non-alumnus or organization that has demonstrated outstanding loyalty and support to the University of Georgia and the UGA community.

Sanford (H ’19) and his late wife Barbara, who passed away in Nov. 2019, have demonstrated unyielding commitment to supporting the endeavors of UGA’s students, faculty and staff. They have provided tremendous financial support across the university including the Terry College of Business, the Mary Frances Early College of Education, College of Public Health, UGA Athletics, Carl Vinson Institute and the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases.

2020 Young Alumni Award

The Young Alumni Award will be presented to Christina Swoope Carrere. This award is given to those who attended UGA in the past 10 years, have embodied the Pillars of the Arch—wisdom, justice and moderation–and provided notable service to the university.

Christina Swoope Carrere (BS ’11) was the first African American female drum major of the Redcoat Marching Band and is the immediate past president of the board of directors for the Redcoat Band Alumni Association. She was also in UGA’s 40 Under 40 class of 2016. She currently serves as the senior Medicare program examiner for the Office of Management and Budget in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about the Alumni Awards program, or view a list of previous award recipients.

2020 Bulldog 100 spotlight: Marc Gorlin’s three most transformative moments

February 6, 2020/by Loran Posey

Marc Gorlin (ABJ ’95) is a Bulldog 100 regular.

This marks the sixth consecutive year he will be honored. But 2020 represents a new level of achievement for the serial entrepreneur: two of his companies have landed among the top 100 fastest-growing Bulldog businesses.

Kabbage, which simplifies the loan process for small businesses, made its Bulldog 100 debut in 2015 at No. 1. Kabbage remained in the top five the next three years, clocking in at No. 3 in 2016, No. 2 in 2017 and No. 5 in 2018. Kabbage ranked No. 38 in 2019.

Marc’s newest company, Roadie, connects drivers with businesses to provide faster and cheaper delivery solutions. Roadie cracked the list for the first time in 2020.

On Feb. 8, the Bulldog 100 Celebration will be held for the first time in Athens—in the Sanford Stadium West Endzone, just steps from where Marc took classes at Grady College. And Marc will leave the event with twice the hardware—one award for each of his children, Lily and Mills, to carry to the car.

We asked Marc to reflect on his success and the moments that were most critical for his transformation from journalism student to Bulldog 100 CEO. Here were his top three …

1. Dad’s Advice

Find a deal, not a job.

Leaving UGA with a degree in newspaper journalism in 1995, Marc received a piece of advice from his father that would alter his life journey: find a deal, not a job.

Marc’s dad encouraged him that post-graduation, with no spouse, mortgage or car payment, was the best time to take risks and push his limits. Instead of settling for a safe job, Marc set out into the world, confident in his ability to find the next great idea and use his Grady-given storytelling abilities to attract investors and customers.

“A lot of being an entrepreneur is telling stories and convincing people,” Marc says. “To make companies go, you’ve got to persuade your first customer, your first investors, your first employees to join something new.”

2. Time with Mimi

Take action before the moment’s gone.

Amid the day-to-day grind, one can easily overlook important relationships. Marc’s experience did just the opposite: he took six years off to care for his grandmother, Mimi, until she passed at age 100.

“Sometimes, the universe makes space for you to do what you need to do when you only have a certain window to do it in,” Marc says. “Those are the life opportunities you really need to take advantage of because you can’t get them back.”

After Mimi passed, Marc returned to the entrepreneurial world and co-founded Kabbage in 2008. But he did not forget the lesson he learned, and still strives to make space for his family. He understands time is finite and windows of opportunity do not last forever.

3. Roadside Realization

Be a figure-it-outer.

One Thursday in 2014, Marc was on the road to his Gulf Coast condo, where a water leak sparked a bathroom renovation. This was tile day.

He received word that the replacement tiles arrived broken and new ones would not arrive from Birmingham until Monday. Marc’s plans were shot. Sitting off an exit near Montgomery, Alabama, Marc watched as cars zipped by.

“There’s bound to be somebody leaving Birmingham right now heading toward Montgomery who would be more than happy to throw a box of tiles in their trunk,” Marc says, recounting that day. “That’s when it hit me that there’s an unbelievable, untapped transportation map that already exists made up of all of our personal vehicles.”

And just like that, an idea—and a company—began.

“Be aware of what’s going on around you,” Marc says. “Then, be a figure-it-outer and find solutions.”

By the time the tiles arrived, Marc had an entire business plan written. Oh, and his shower looks great now too.

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3 Buzzworthy Bulldog 100 Businesses: Buckhead Beans, Rev Coffee Roasters, and Three Tree Coffee

January 29, 2020/by UGA Alumni

Written by: Leigh Raynor Arndt

In Atlanta, Buckhead Beans is revitalizing office coffee. In Smyrna, Rev Coffee Roasters is bringing perfectly-roasted beans to the ’burbs. And in Statesboro, Three Tree Coffee Roasters is making a difference, one mug at a time. But what do these three game-changing coffee companies have in common?

They are all owned by Bulldogs. And they’re growing fast.

On Feb. 8, we’re celebrating Buckhead Beans, Rev Coffee Roasters, and Three Tree Coffee as 2020 Bulldog 100 businesses. Each year, Bulldog 100 recognizes the fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by University of Georgia alumni. Read on to learn more about the Bulldogs behind these exceptional companies.

(Spoiler: caffeine isn’t the only secret to their success.)

Buckhead Beans: Matt Ades (AB ’94, MED ’96) + Jeff Ramsey (BBA ’95)

What inspired UGA grads Matt Ades and Jeff Ramsey to start Buckhead Beans? Water cooler talk. In 2014, the college friends invested in an Atlanta-based vending company providing coffee to offices around the city. As they strategized how to revitalize the business, they asked around to see how people felt about the coffee at work. Across the board, the response was the same: yuck.

“Matt and I recognized a movement in Atlanta like craft beer, but with coffee,” said Jeff. “New cool shops were opening across the city. We knew there was good coffee here. But we also knew that a lot of businesses were stuck in the ’80s with subpar office coffee.”

So, Jeff and Matt decided to connect the dots. They started with one van and one local roaster. Today, Buckhead Beans has grown to 10 vans and partnerships with 10 roasters, including Counter Culture, Batdorf and Bronson, and Beanealogy. And one of their top roasters is fellow Bulldog-owned business Rev Coffee Roasters (more on them next!). Inspired by these coffee connoisseurs, Buckhead Beans is now perfecting its own roasting techniques.

Buckhead Beans has rid stale coffee from the breakrooms of more than 300 Atlanta businesses. And relationships that Jeff and Matt formed at UGA have proved vital to this expansion. Jeff shows his continued appreciation for his alma mater through a perfect attendance record. In 26 years, he’s yet to miss a Bulldog home game!

Rev Coffee Roasters: Jenn Holt Bimmerle (AB ’02)

As co-founders of Rev Coffee Roasters, alumna Jenn Holt Bimmerle and her husband, Nick, make the perfect team. Jenn likes a white mocha, while Nick drinks his coffee black. Together, they make sure that Rev is a place for every coffee drinker, where everyone gets what they want. And whether you are a purist or you like a dollop of whipped cream, your order will be bolstered by the best beans around.

Jenn and Nick opened Rev in 2008. From the start, their goal went beyond bringing a better cup of coffee to Smyrna. They wanted to embrace the suburbs by creating a cool, community space where neighbors could connect. It’s safe to say they’ve stolen some attention away from Atlanta. This is Rev’s fourth year as a Bulldog 100 business.

“Rev is like Cheers. A non-alcoholic Cheers,” said Jenn. “It’s just a happy place. Everyone is well-caffeinated. Everyone’s in a good mood. When you walk in, you feel comfortable. It feels like home.”

Looking for new ways to celebrate the people that make Smyrna unique, Jenn and her husband started Rev Fest in 2010. The festival brought together local artists, craftspeople, musicians, and coffee lovers for an all-day party. The first Rev Fest was so successful that it is now a bi-annual event.

“A big part of our success is that customers became friends, who then became family,” said Jenn. “When I think of that, I always feel like we’ve done something right.”

Three Tree Coffee Roasters: Philip Klayman (BSA ’11)

As an agricultural economics major at UGA, Philip Klayman not only gained the knowledge he needed to start his own company, but he also found his partner. Philip met his wife, Anna (AB ’11), in Athens. Today, they own Three Tree Coffee Roasters in Anna’s hometown of Statesboro.

The Klaymans’ entrepreneurial drive started with their love of coffee. Devoted drinkers, they began by roasting beans in their backyard. Their hobby grew, and they were soon selling at farmer’s markets. But the Klaymans enjoyed coffee for more than its taste and aroma. They appreciate the community it inspires. Eager to share their passion with others, they opened Three Tree Coffee in 2014.

“Walls come down in coffee shops,” said Philip. “There are not many cultures like coffee culture. It brings diverse people together. Barriers come down, and we recognize our similarities.”

Three Tree’s mission goes beyond serving delicious coffee (like a pour-over made with beans from Limmu, Ethiopia, Philip’s current go-to). The Klaymans are dedicated to using their coffee as a “catalyst for change.” To empower farmers, they only use certified Fair-Trade USA beans and teas. And the shop raises funds for organizations fighting to end human trafficking.

Furthermore, Philip is determined to extend the close-knit community that Three Tree has formed in Statesboro around the globe. By establishing direct partnerships in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia, he guarantees that Three Tree only serves coffee and tea from farms that are paid fair wages and use sustainable methods.

“I like to meet with our farmers face to face,” said Philip. “It allows me to develop a better understanding of their challenges so that I can be a solution.”

Check out the full 2020 Bulldog 100 list to learn about more alumni-owned businesses and ways to support fellow Bulldogs.

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2020 Bulldog 100 Spotlight: A Network of Loyal Bulldogs

January 28, 2020/by UGA Alumni

Written by: Maggie Griffin of Maggie Griffin Designs

I grew up in the small, tight-knit community of Hawkinsville, Georgia. The kind of welcoming small-town where you know everyone, and where you’re related to half the county. And the neighboring county too! When I began my freshman year at the University of Georgia in 2002, I was so comforted to see some of those familiar faces from our small town, right there on the big campus of the University of Georgia.

This past fall, when the Bulldog 100 list was announced, I was proud to again see several of those names sharing the honor with me. Hardy’s Peanuts is interwoven into my life, as we grew up on neighboring farms where Ken Hardy (BSA ’93) and Brad Hardy (BSA ’96), along with their family, now run their family farm. I sure wish our grandparents were here to celebrate this achievement with us; they would be so proud! Robert Moore (BSAE ’04), of Moore Civil, is a childhood friend from home, and his wife, Courtney, and I have been great friends since we were kids. He and his brother, Michael Azzolin (PHARMD ’02) (also from Hawkinsville), of PharmD on Demand, get to share this honor together this year, too. It’s been a joy to be included on this list alongside hometown friends and to share that same entrepreneurial spirit with them that we’ve inherited from generations before us.

My husband, David, and I now call Gainesville, Georgia, “home.” We’ve loved getting to know the amazing people who also call this charming “big” small-town “home,” and we are proud to be raising our two boys here as well. The close proximity to Athens is one of our favorite things about the city. Gainesville has been great in supporting my small business and David’s too.

The city has a fantastic community of women business owners, and I am thrilled to see two of my friends on this year’s Bulldog 100 list. Amanda Wilbanks (BBA ’09), of Southern Baked Pie Company, fed me pie in her home kitchen while I was pregnant with my oldest child (who is now almost 7!), before opening her first shop. I am proud of her incredible vision and I sure do love her pies too! Katie Dubnik (BBA ’03), another fellow female business owner and entrepreneur in Gainesville, shares the list with Amanda and me. Her extraordinary business brings invaluable marketing strategies to companies across the Southeast, and she manages a smart, energetic group of creatives at her company, Forum Communications.

I will be forever indebted to the University of Georgia for my education and for the opportunities that this wonderful university has afforded to me and to my family. The network of loyal Bulldogs never ceases to amaze me, and I am so proud to be among this incredible group this year.

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