UGA wins Beat Week (again)

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It’s always an exciting matchup when UGA and Auburn go head-to-head, and Beat Week 2022 was no exception.

Beat Week is the philanthropic counterpart to “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry,” and the rules are simple: the university with the most gifts raised during the week leading up to the game wins!

Following UGA’s two consecutive victories, Auburn was looking for their first win this year—and for much of the week, it appeared they might just do it.

However, the UGA community rallied late in the week to take the lead after several days of trading back and forth with Auburn. The result was a double dose of victory for UGA on and off the field. And when the dust settled in the Gift Accounting office, the final score stood:

UGA–2,984

Auburn–1,817

A good coach always acknowledges that every win is a team effort, and that’s certainly true for Beat Week. Everyone played a role: alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and friends!

UGA’s student body had an impressive outing worthy of SportsCenter’s Top-10 performances; over 700 students flexed their philanthropic muscles and took part in the effort!

Beat Week raised over $1 million to over 300 fund designations across campus supporting scholarships, research, academic programming and a lot more; proving that UGA isn’t just No. 1 in the newest AP Poll, but also in generosity.

Thank you to everyone who made Beat Week a success! GO DAWGS!

The Jerry Tanner Show – Week 7, 2022: Vanderbilt

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This year’s Homecoming opponent is Vandy. So, Jerry went to campus to ask the important questions, like “what’s your favorite dining hall?”

There’s so much happening for this year’s Homecoming—UGA’s 100th! Stay informed on everything that’s happening throughout the week by going to alumni.uga.edu/football.

Jerry Tanner is everyone you’ve ever met at a UGA tailgate, everyone who’s ever talked about Georgia football by your cubicle, and every message board poster who claims to have a cousin who cut Vince Dooley’s grass. He’s a UGA alumnus, he’s a college football fanatic with a Twitter addiction, and he’s definitely a real person and not a character played by Clarke Schwabe.

The Jerry Tanner Show – Week 6, 2022: Auburn

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So, the Tigers are in disarray. Again. Don’t dismiss the trainwreck on the plains, though. Auburn—and our rivalry—thrives on chaos.

Beat Week is back! Make a gift to any UGA fund in any amount between Oct. 3 – 8 and you can help UGA students and power Georgia to a third consecutive Beat Week victory. Make your gift today at AUvUGA.com.

Jerry Tanner is everyone you’ve ever met at a UGA tailgate, everyone who’s ever talked about Georgia football by your cubicle, and every message board poster who claims to have a cousin who cut Vince Dooley’s grass. He’s a UGA alumnus, he’s a college football fanatic with a Twitter addiction, and he’s definitely a real person and not a character played by Clarke Schwabe.

Computer science gets a new home at UGA

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In 1984, Bill Gates was on Time Magazine’s cover for the first time, Steve Jobs launched the original Apple Macintosh PC and eight University of Georgia faculty members launched UGA’s computer science department. Thirty-eight years later, what began with a single undergraduate program has today grown into the UGA School of Computing.

Now, more than 4,600 UGA computer science alumni have a school to call their own, and thousands of students looking to enter what is a massive—and still growing—field can look to UGA’s enhanced commitment and know that they can pursue their passion as a Bulldog.

The School of Computing is jointly administered by the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences—where UGA Computer Science began—and the College of Engineering.

“The University of Georgia is committed to creating synergies across our campus that foster new opportunities for students and faculty and better serve communities in Georgia and around the world,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “I am excited about the positive impact the School of Computing will have on research and education in the STEM disciplines at UGA.”

Those disciplines are among some of the most popular ones at the university:

  • The College of Engineering is the fastest growing college at UGA—the number of engineering majors has almost quadrupled since 2012;
  • Computer science enrollment at UGA has increased by 202% over the last eight years;
  • And the number of UGA graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science has jumped from 51 in 2013 to 256 in 2021.

It makes sense why students would have such an interest in pursuing these fields. Nationally, employment in STEM-related occupations is projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to grow 8% through 2029, which is more than double the 3.4% growth projected for non-STEM occupations. Within STEM, computer science and engineering are among the fields with the highest forecasted growth.

The School of Computing is the home to the Institute for Artificial Intelligence as well as the Institute for Cybersecurity and Privacy, allowing students to delve deep into these specifics areas. And partnerships with the Department of Energy and UGA’s Institute for Integrative Precision Agriculture allow for even more nuanced, high-level work.

Faculty at the School of Computing are experts in a vast array of disciplines, including artificial intelligence, data analytics, bioinformatics, parallel and distributed computing, robotics, virtual reality, evolutionary computing and beyond. The number of faculty and the range of their expertise figures to grow in the next few years.

“The strategic hiring of new faculty will create new opportunities for undergraduate and graduate instruction while also supporting research in areas that are of strategic importance to our state and world,” said UGA Provost S. Jack Hu.

The Jerry Tanner Show – Week 5, 2022: Missouri

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Mizzou, we respect your blue-collar, lunchpail attitude. Nice recruiting the last few years, too! Won’t help you on Saturday, but good job!

Jerry Tanner is everyone you’ve ever met at a UGA tailgate, everyone who’s ever talked about Georgia football by your cubicle, and every message board poster who claims to have a cousin who cut Vince Dooley’s grass. He’s a UGA alumnus, he’s a college football fanatic with a Twitter addiction, and he’s definitely a real person and not a character played by Clarke Schwabe.

The Jerry Tanner Show – Week 4, 2022: Kent State

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Props to Sean Lewis for winning at a program where that’s rare. But Nick Saban is Kent State’s fault, so we’re obligated to vaporize them.

There’s a UGA student out there right now who could benefit from your experience. By becoming a mentor, you can help the next generation of Bulldogs, forge a new connection with your alma mater and do it all on your schedule from wherever you are. Become a mentor today at mentor.uga.edu.

Jerry Tanner is everyone you’ve ever met at a UGA tailgate, everyone who’s ever talked about Georgia football by your cubicle, and every message board poster who claims to have a cousin who cut Vince Dooley’s grass. He’s a UGA alumnus, he’s a college football fanatic with a Twitter addiction, and he’s definitely a real person and not a character played by Clarke Schwabe.

Road Dawgs: Tips to make the most of your gameday travel

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An away game against South Carolina means one thing: Dawgs from all over will be on the road this weekend to watch this classic SEC match-up in Columbia. But it won’t be the only time Bulldog fans hit the road this season—whether you’re traveling to Columbia, Jacksonville, Starkville, Lexington, or heading home to Athens, check out these tips to make the most of your next college football road trip.

Set the tone

Every great movie is supported by an award-winning soundtrack. The same goes for a great road trip. Jerry Tanner understands that it’s vital to have a playlist tailored for the occasion and that’s why he curated Songs for Dawgs. It’s sure to set the tone for the journey.

(And, if you’re feeling nostalgic, consider throwing it back to this playlist we created for the 2022 National Championship game. Why stray from what works?)

Stay well fed

Perhaps one of the most essential factors in road trip success are snacks. Whether you stock up a cooler or stop along the way, these additions will add to the fun. Be sure to check out these tailgate recipes from UGA alumni:

And, it’s always a good idea to scope out local restaurants wherever you’re headed. If you’re coming to Athens, check out a few local restaurants featured on our TikTok to stay well fed during your stay and the ride home.

Never Bark Alone

No doubt celebrating a Georgia win is even better with fellow Dawgs! Invite your most spirited friends and family to ensure a weekend for the books. And if you can’t travel to a game, be sure to find an official game-watching party near you. Those watch parties are the best way to get the ultimate game day experience and meet fellow Bulldogs in your area.

Bulldogs, we can’t wait to see you in red and black this season—no matter where you’re headed. Safe travels and GO DAWGS!

Looking to show your Bulldog pride on your road trip vehicle? Check out our UGA state decals. 

UGA State Decals

Visit our UGA Alumni Football HQ for events, free downloads and more all season! 

Visit Our Football HQ

Fresh Express – free student market opens on campus thanks to parent and student donors

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For students, by students

“Dedicated to nourishing bodies, empowering minds, and creating a community of compassion.”

This is the mission of Fresh Express, a student-led market created to address food insecurity on UGA’s campus by providing produce and non-perishables to students.

The market, located in Joe Frank Harris Dining Commons on East Campus, is open on Thursdays and Fridays. In partnership with UGArden, Fresh Express provides produce to students who may be struggling to afford healthy meals during the semester. After serving students at tabling events during the Spring semester of 2022, the Student Government Association (SGA), with financial support from the 2021 Student Alumni Council Class Gift and Parents Leadership Council, celebrated its grand opening on August 31. Students interested in utilizing Fresh Express are encouraged to visit the Fresh Express website to register for a pick-up time.

Financial support for Fresh Express

Senior Signature

The Class Gift is coordinated by the Student Alumni Council and funded by Senior Signature, an annual giving campaign for UGA seniors to give back to campus by contributing to areas that were significant to their experience at the university. $10 of each contribution goes towards the Class Gift, which benefits one on-campus organization voted upon by Senior Signature donors. UGA student organizations are eligible to apply for the Class Gift each Spring to receive funds for the following academic year.

With the collective support of Senior Signature donors from the Class of 2021, Fresh Express is able to meet student needs across campus — but Senior Signature’s impact does not stop there. The Class of 2022 selected the UGA Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association as the recipient of their Class Gift. During the 2022-2023 academic year, this organization will receive up to $6,000 to support graduate students pursuing careers in speech-language pathology.

Parents Leadership Council

Fresh Express also is supported by funding from the Parents Leadership Council, a group of UGA parents who give back to undergraduate student organizations. After applying for a grant from the PLC, SGA was awarded $12,750 to assist with the establishment and day-to-day operations of Fresh Express and the SGA Professional Clothing Closet. The PLC grants are awarded annually to fund scholarships, support critical undergraduate student needs, and assist registered student organizations with projects and programs that enhance the quality of life for students. Over the past 10 years, the Parents Leadership Council has awarded $4.6 million in grant support to a variety of initiatives across campus–from student life and financial assistance to well-being and service learning. Grant applications for 2023 open in October.

Because of Fresh Express and the generosity of UGA students and parents, students facing food insecurity can focus on learning and getting involved on campus. If you are interested in making a difference through Senior Signature or Parents Leadership Council, visit the pages below to learn more.

Senior Signature
Parents Leadership Council

 

 

The Jerry Tanner Show – Week 3, 2022: South Carolina

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The Dawgs are headed to Columbia to face the Gamecocks and Shane Beamer. I wonder how he’ll try to go viral after this year’s loss.

Get connected with game-watching parties, stay plugged into university news, read profiles of amazing alumni, find links to exclusive UGA merch and so much more at alumni.uga.edu/football.

Jerry Tanner is everyone you’ve ever met at a UGA tailgate, everyone who’s ever talked about Georgia football by your cubicle, and every message board poster who claims to have a cousin who cut Vince Dooley’s grass. He’s a UGA alumnus, he’s a college football fanatic with a Twitter addiction, and he’s definitely a real person and not a character played by Clarke Schwabe.

Checking in with Alumni Board Member Adam C. Johnson

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There’s a group of committed UGA alumni who dedicate their time, energy, and financial resources to bringing Bulldogs together year-round, worldwide, and lifelong. The UGA Alumni Board of Directors represents UGA’s diverse and passionate alumni family and strives to provide feedback, guidance and leadership as the university seeks to ensure that its graduates Never Bark Alone. Throughout the year, we’ll get to know these spirited graduates who hail from various backgrounds and are involved in all corners of campus.

Where do you live?
Sandy Springs, Georgia

Where do you work?
Meta; I am a privacy program manager.

When did you graduate from UGA?
I graduated with my MBA in 2016.

When did you join the alumni board?
2021

How do you support UGA?
I serve on the Alumni Board’s Student and Young Alumni Engagement Committee and serve as the board’s liaison to the Young Alumni Leadership Council (YALC), of which I was a member from 2017 to 2020. I also support the Student Veterans Resource Center, which is a part of UGA’s Student Affairs division. In 2017, I was recognized among the university’s 40 Under 40 honorees.

If you had $1 million, what fund would you support on campus?
I would support the Let the Big Dawgs Eat Food Scholarship.

What was your first job after graduation?
After graduating from the United States Military Academy West Point, I served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer in the 82nd Airborne Division.

What was your favorite class at UGA?
This is a tough question. I’m split between Dr. Marisa Pagnattaro’s Business Law class and Dr. John Turner’s Competitive Strategy class. Both have shaped my view of business, law, and strategy and impact my work in data privacy.

What makes you most proud to be a Georgia Bulldog?
I believe in the work that our university is doing for students and on behalf of our state. I’ve been part of dozens of conversations with UGA staff and alumni to help solve issues that students are encountering and have witnessed the positive outcome of the decisions made. Seeing staff and faculty pour themselves into students and support alumni has made an immense impression on me. Our university cares about others. That matters.

My family includes …
My beautiful wife Julia Johnson.

Julia and Adam Johnson on Wedding Day

Adam and his wife Julia on their wedding day. Photo: Be the Light Photography

Adam and Julia Johnson Skiing

Adam and Julia Johnson

What were you involved in outside of the classroom as a student?
As a graduate assistant in the Student Veterans Resource Center, I advised the SVRC director on daily and long-term operations and consulted with several organizations to create marketing strategies and solutions for employment opportunities and initiatives that benefitted student veterans at UGA. It was awesome to be a small part of UGA’s efforts to support veterans.

What was your favorite place to study as a student?
The law library … but I had to conceal my calculator so I didn’t give away my status as an MBA student.

Where could you be found on a Friday night in college?
At Magnolias playing pool with my MBA classmates and PhD students.

What has been the most significant change to the physical campus since you were a student?
Terry’s Business Learning Community footprint is incredible. The new buildings are immense assets to the university that are clearly impacting students in a positive way.

What is your favorite UGA tradition?
Ringing the Chapel Bell after victories.

When you visit Athens, where do you grab a bite?
Mama’s Boy. The Georgia Peach French Toast is my to-go-to breakfast there. (Editor note: Mama’s Boy, which now has two locations in the Athens area and one in the horizon in Watkinsville, is an alumni-owned business.)

Who is your most disliked athletic rival?
Navy—the U.S. Naval Academy is West Point’s rival. My second least favorite opponent is Alabama.

What is your favorite alumni-owned business or product?
Dark chocolate and comfortable polo shirts are splendid, so Condor Chocolates and Onward Reserve.

Adam’s support across campus—including his commitment to supporting the Young Alumni Leadership Council and the Student Veterans Resource Center— embodies the spirit of UGA. We appreciate his unwavering dedication to his alma mater.