UGA News

Ryan Seacrest to headline UGA’s spring Commencement ceremony

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When Ryan Seacrest takes the stage for the University of Georgia’s spring Commencement ceremony on May 13, 2016, in Sanford Stadium, he will have two tasks—inspire a new class of UGA alumni and receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the university he attended as a freshman.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved Seacrest’s honorary degree during its Oct. 14 meeting. Other than an earned doctorate, the honorary degree is the highest recognition UGA can bestow and is given to recognize a person who has a sustained record of achievements of lasting significance.

Seacrest holds pre-eminent positions in broadcast and cable television, as well as nationally syndicated radio and local radio. He is celebrated internationally as host of the top-rated prime-time talent showcase “American Idol” on Fox. He is host and executive producer of ABC’s annual New Year’s eve program, “Dick Clark’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” He also has an agreement with NBCUniversal that includes on-air broadcasting and producing duties across the NBC and E! networks.

On radio, Seacrest is host of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest,” his market-topping nationally syndicated Los Angeles morning drive-time show for iHeart Media’s 102.7 KIIS-FM, as well as a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show.

Ryan-Seacrest

Seacrest is being honored by the university for his commitment to youth-oriented initiatives.

Seacrest’s philanthropic efforts include his service as chairman of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, which has opened eight broadcast media centers—known as Seacrest Studios—in pediatric hospitals across the country. Through these studios, patients have the opportunity to explore the creative realms of radio, television and new media and are provided with a variety of programming during their hospital stays. Students from local journalism schools intern with the studios to learn about broadcasting, programming and operating a multimedia center. 2015 40 Under 40 honoree Mamie Shepherd (ABJ ’13) is a program coordinator at the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.

“We look forward to welcoming Ryan Seacrest back to the UGA campus,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Through Seacrest Studios, he has channeled his success into a source of comfort and creativity that has positively impacted the lives of pediatric patients and their families while providing significant learning opportunities for students. I am sure he will have a compelling message to deliver as the Commencement speaker.”

Seacrest is also honorary chair of the Grammy Foundation and is on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Seacrest, who attended UGA in 1992, moved to Hollywood to pursue a broadcasting career that he began as a radio intern while attending Dunwoody High School. Twenty-four years later, he is known internationally for his work in television and radio.

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UGA to reduce class sizes by hiring faculty, adding more than 300 course sections

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In the latest in a series of steps to enhance the learning environment, UGA is investing $4.4 million to reduce class sizes by hiring faculty and creating more than 300 new course sections.

“This major initiative demonstrates the University of Georgia’s strong commitment to putting students first,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead (JD ’80). “Reducing the number of large class sections in critical instruction areas will improve student learning and success and further enhance our world-class learning environment.”

The first of the new faculty members will begin teaching this fall, and a total of 56 will be hired in the coming year. By fall 2016, a total of 319 new course sections in 81 majors will be added, the majority of which will have fewer than 20 students.

UGA currently has an 18-1 student/faculty ratio, and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten noted that the new courses will help ensure students receive even more personalized attention from their professors.

She added that the push to decrease class sizes at UGA builds upon a series of academic enhancements the institution has implemented in recent years. Last fall, the university hired 10 new faculty to teach in 80 high-demand course sections. In the spring, the university approved a new graduation requirement that will make UGA the largest public university in the nation to require that each of its nearly 27,000 undergraduate students engage in experiential learning-such as internships, research, study abroad or service-learning-prior to graduation.

“UGA offers the broad range of resources and opportunities that a major research university provides as well as personalized and hands-on learning experiences that are typically associated with smaller universities,” Whitten said. “It’s the best of both worlds, and it’s exactly what our world-class students deserve.”

UGA’s Scott Angle selected to lead international agricultural organization

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J. Scott Angle, who has served as dean and director of UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for the past decade, has announced that he will step down from his position to lead a global organization that works to alleviate hunger.

As president and CEO of the International Fertilizer Development Center, Angle will oversee an organization that has been active in nearly 100 countries and is focused on increasing food security and agricultural productivity through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

“Over the past decade, Dean Angle has provided outstanding leadership to the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,” President Morehead said. “He has been one of the strongest champions of UGA’s land-grant mission, working tirelessly to connect the vast resources of the college to the challenges and opportunities faced by the agriculture industry across the state. We are grateful for his many years of dedicated service and wish him well in this new endeavor.”

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UGA builds tomorrow’s leaders with new partnership

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The UGA Alumni Association welcomes Vice President Victor K. Wilson (BSW ’82, MED ’87) as today’s guest blogger. He has some exciting news to share regarding a leadership development opportunity for UGA alumni and friends working in all industries.

I am excited to introduce a new partnership that will ultimately benefit students and aspiring student leaders across UGA.

UGA Student Affairs has joined with the renowned Accelerated Leadership Group (ALG) to launch the UGA Academy for Leadership Excellence. This initiative will enable UGA students and other leaders from all fields the opportunity to develop and hone world-class leadership skills, through the latest practice and research, preparing emerging leaders for future growth in their studies and careers.

For UGA students, the Academy will be part of the Center for Leadership and Service, which empowers students to intentionally engage in leadership learning and practice active citizenship. The Academy will also offer cutting-edge leadership training programs for emerging and front line leaders in business and industry, hosted at UGA.

Preparing students for leadership of local and global communities is one of our highest priorities. This innovative partnership promises some of the best leadership expertise and education to benefit UGA students.

Victor K. Wilson
Vice President for Student Affairs
The University of Georgia

For additional information, visit www.ALGleaders.com/UGA.

UGA Career Center Services for Alumni

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The UGA Career Center offers many invaluable resources and events for alumni. Whether you’re looking to grow your professional skills, revamp your resume or change job paths, the UGA Career Center is here for you.

For example, alumni can still access DAWGLink and take advantage of career counseling by making appointments at the Atlanta Alumni Center in Buckhead. Appointments can include resume critiques, mock interviews and advice on job search strategies and networking.

This summer, the Atlanta Alumni Center will host a series of summer workshops titled “Finding a Meaningful Career.”

Director of Alumni Career Services Bethany Mills will provide activities to navigate career exploration. These sessions will be both informative and interactive. Attendees will use the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to consider how their interests, personality, and values affect career satisfaction.

Each session costs $65 per person and includes coffee, snacks and two career assessments. The dates are:

June 16
June 23
July 7
August 4

Space is limited to 12 alumni per session; so register today!

Are you no longer in Athens or Atlanta? Have no fear, the UGA Career Center is here for you, too! Career Center staff members frequently host lunchtime webinars for alumni across the country.

Self-Promotion: Developing Your Authentic Personal Brand
Wednesday, June 17
Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Building an Online Presence for New Professionals with Steffan Pedersen (BBA ’13)
Thursday, June 13
Noon to 1:00 p.m.

Career Center staff also travel to visit with alumni chapters and host workshops. On July 1, Bethany Mills will visit the Colorado Chapter of the UGA Alumni Association for a “Find a Meaningful Career” workshop in Denver. Learn more about this event.

No matter where life takes you, always remember that as a UGA alumna or alumnus, you can take advantage of the UGA Career Center’s services.

President Morehead, UGA Athletic Association to support experiential learning

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To support the university’s new experiential learning initiatives, President Jere W. Morehead (JD ’80) will personally establish a scholarship fund to help undergraduates participate in and fulfill the new requirements.

The initiative, when implemented in fall 2016, will require undergraduate students to participate in a tailored, hands-on learning opportunity prior to graduation. Undergraduate research, study abroad, service-learning, internships and other high-impact experiences will meet this requirement.

“I believe I have a special obligation to give back to this great institution, which has given so much to me,” Morehead said. “The experiential learning initiative will further enhance the world-class learning environment at UGA, and I am pleased to be able to support this initiative personally through the establishment of a scholarship fund.”

In addition to support from President Morehead, the experiential learning initiative will also receive financial support in the form of a $1 million endowment from the UGA Athletic Association.

“The athletic association has a strong track record of supporting the university’s most important academic initiatives,” said President Jere W. Morehead, “and none is more relevant to the institution right now than this initiative designed to further enhance student learning at UGA.”

The $1 million gift to establish the endowment for experiential learning will bring the Athletic Association’s total contribution to the university’s academic enterprise to $5 million for this fiscal year.

“We are exceptionally pleased to provide these funds that will support the experiential learning initiative,” said Greg McGarity (ABJ ’76), J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics. “It is one of the university’s most important programs being developed and will be a cornerstone in the undergraduate curriculum for years to come. It’s also another way we can integrate academics and athletics on our campus, continuing the strong partnership around programs that benefit the university.”

When the initiative begins, UGA will become one of the largest public universities to provide experiential learning to all undergraduates.

UGA Executive MBA ranks in top 10 in the U.S., according to The Economist

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The Executive MBA Program at the University of Georgia Terry College of Business was ranked No. 14 worldwide by The Economist in its latest assessment.

The new ranking is a step up for Terry’s EMBA program, which was No. 22 worldwide in the previous scoring by The Economist.

“I am certainly proud that the excellence of this degree is being recognized in Georgia and around the world,” said Benjamin C. Ayers, dean of the Terry College. “This ranking is a reflection of the investment and quality that our faculty put into our EMBA program, and a good indication that it truly enhances the careers of our students.”

The Economist’s rankings reflect each EMBA program’s performance in two broad categories: personal development/education experience and career development, with each category weighted equally. Terry’s EMBA program received the highest ranking among schools in Georgia and was eighth among programs based solely in the U.S.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as one of the very best Executive MBA programs in the world,” said Rich Daniels, director of Executive and Professional MBA Programs at the Terry College. “Our focus on leadership development, international experience and harnessing the Terry College network has proven to be particularly effective in ensuring that our graduates are successful.”

The Terry College’s Executive MBA degree is an 18-month program geared toward mid- to senior-level managers. The format combines weekend class sessions with asynchronous interaction using distance learning technologies. The program also offers individual leadership coaching, valuable opportunities to network and an international residency.

For more information about Terry’s Executive MBA, Professional MBA (offered in Buckhead and Gwinnett County) and Full-Time MBA (in Athens), see terry.uga.edu/mba.

Source: UGA Today

Bulldog Tartan!

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Wondering what to give to a friend or family member graduating from the University of Georgia next week? Look no further than UGA’s very own Scottish tartan.

Tartan’s pattern of interlocking stripes, often mistaken for plaid, dates back to the third or fourth century A.D. Tartan became so popular in Scottish Highlands culture that commercial weavers began naming the patterns instead of numbering them. Over time, those names began to represent a connection between the wearer and Scottish clans.

Today, tartans can identify individuals as members of certain groups, now including the University of Georgia.

For UGA’s tartan (modeled above by Student Alumni Council member Jasmine Johnson ’16), UGA graduate Walter Estes (AB ’77, MED ’98) developed and donated a tartan design using red and black. The College of Family and Consumer Sciences then secured official recognition by the Scottish Register of Tartans. After approval, a student committee chose the neck tie for men and a silk scarf for women as the ideal products to first be developed from the tartan design. Today, there are several products to choose from, including a pocket square, bow tie, tote bag and cummerbund.

Click here to shop for official UGA tartan products – when you do, the royalties support scholarships and programs for FACS students in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors!

Spotlight on UGA’s recent award recipients

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Recently, several UGA faculty and students have been in the spotlight for receiving prestigious scholarships and awards. The UGA Alumni Association is proud of these outstanding individuals as they further the university’s mission and enhance its reputation.

Torre Lavelle ’16 has been named a 2015 Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Scholar which is awarded to an undergraduate pursuing a career focused on environmental or Native American policy. Lavelle is a third-year student majoring in ecology and plans to pursue a master’s degree in environmental management as well as a Juris Doctor in hopes of becoming a conservation policymaker. Read more.

Juanita Johnson-Bailey (MED ’93, EDD ’94), director of the Institute for the Women’s Studies at UGA, is the recipient of the Eleanor Roosevelt Fund Award, an honor given by the American Association of University Women for outstanding contribution to equality and education for women and girls. Johnson-Bailey has authored and co-authored more than 100 journal articles, book reviews, book chapters and monographic. She has also delivered nearly 120 conference presentations and chaired nearly 30 completed doctoral dissertations. Read more.

Kathleen Wilson ’16 was named a 2015 Truman Scholar receiving a $30,000 scholarship to attend graduate school. Wilson is pursuing bachelors’ degrees in economics and international affairs. She plans to earn a master’s in public policy and Middle Eastern studies after graduation in 2016. Read more.

Megan Ernst ’15 was awarded the James Madison Graduate Fellowship which provides up to $24,000 for individuals who desire to become outstanding teachers at the secondary school level. Ernst will graduate in May with Bachelor of Arts in journalism, Bachelor of Arts in political science, and a Master of Public Administration from the School of Public and International Affairs. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in teaching from the UGA College of Education. Read more.

Lauren Dennison ’15, Erin Hollander ’15, and Karishma Sriram ’15 received 2015 Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, exclusive undergraduate scholarships in the field of mathematics, the natural sciences and engineering. The scholarships cover the cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board up to a maximum of $7,500 per year. All three students are enrolled in Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and plan to earn doctoral degrees related to biomedical research. Read more.

Ayan Hussein (BS ’12) is one of the recipients of the 2015 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. This fellowship supports the graduate education of students who were born abroad but have become permanent residents or naturalized citizens of the United States. Hussein, a 2012 UGA graduate, is now earning a Ph.D at Yale University studying biological and biomedical sciences. Selected from a pool of 1,200 applicants, she will receive tuition and stipend assistance up to $90,000 in support of her graduate education. Read more.

Sixteen UGA students have been awarded the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. The highly competitive awards recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.These fellows were selected from more than 16,000 applicants nationwide for the 2015 competition. Read more.

UGA launches Women’s Leadership Initiative

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In her blog, “Written by Whitten,” Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten explains the Women’s Leadership Initiative, which was recently launched at the university:

The Women’s Leadership Initiative began earlier this month, and I am grateful for the support of the 10-member planning committee that includes administrators, faculty and staff from across campus. We have plenty of work to do as we address issues such as recruitment and hiring, career development, work-life balance and leadership development.

Gender inequities certainly aren’t unique to UGA or to higher education. A recent McKinsey and Company report found that in the private sector, women hold 52 percent of entry-level positions but only 22 percent of middle management positions and 14 percent of senior management positions.

In addition to being the right thing to do, creating a campus environment that enables everyone to achieve their full potential also makes good business sense. A growing body of research suggests that organizations whose leadership is more balanced between men and women outperform those who are less diverse. They also do a better job of recruiting and retaining talented workers and are more likely to make better business decisions because they consider a wider array of viewpoints.

Read the rest of Provost Whitten’s blog here.