UGA News

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.

Registration now open for 2015 UGA Day Tour

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The University of Georgia is once again hitting the road to bring the Bulldog spirit to alumni, friends and fans around the Southeast.

From April to July, UGA coaches and administrators will travel to seven cities, sharing their insights into UGA’s upcoming athletic seasons and the latest news from campus. Attendees will also learn more about local UGA Alumni Association chapters and how to become involved.

Each stop on the UGA Day Tour will bring delight to UGA fans of all ages – you won’t want to miss out on the action.

Please click on the city nearest to you for more information and registration.

The first 300 registrants in each city will have an opportunity to have a photo made with Coaches Mark Richt and Mark Fox.

If you are interested in serving as a sponsor for UGA Day, please click here for more information.

3rd Annual TEDxUGA is Friday, March 27

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UGA is hosting its 3rd Annual TEDxUGA event in Tate Grand Hall on Friday, March 27 from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. What is TEDx? TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxUGA, where x = independently organized TED event. At the TEDxUGA event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized. Several UGA alumni will present at this year’s TEDxUGA event:

  • Lemuel LaRoche (BSW ’02, MSW ’03)
  • Michelle Blue (BBA ’13)
  • Julie Rushmore (PHD ’13, DVM ’17)
  • Chris Dixon (ABJ ’89, MMC ’95)
  • Lisa Taylor (JD ’01)

Won’t be in Athens or missed out on tickets for the event? TEDxUGA will be livestreamed begining at 2:00 p.m. on Friday. This will be a great opportunity for alumni and friends to participate and engage from across the country. You can also interact with the event on Twitter.

2015 Alumni Seminar: Food for Thought

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The University of Georgia will host its second annual Return to the Arch Alumni Seminar, a three-day educational gathering for UGA alumni and friends, from May 1-3, 2015. This year’s theme is “Food for Thought” and will feature lectures, tours and interactive seminars that showcase the best that UGA has to offer. Come prepared with open minds and empty stomachs as you experience a fun, food-filled weekend on campus.

Seminar highlights include:

  • A reception and dinner with Food Network star and alumnus Alton Brown (AB ’04)
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of campus
  • Presentations from leading UGA faculty members
  • Address by Peter Dale (ABJ ’99), owner/chef of The National in Athens, 2012 Food & Wine’s “People’s Best New Chef-Southeast”
  • A farm-to-table dinner under the stars on Herty Field

View the complete seminar schedule.

The registration fee for this three-day seminar is $290 per person, which includes all meals, beverages, transportation, seminars and special activities. It does not include hotel accommodations.

A supplemental dining package for non-attendee spouses/guests may be purchased for $115. This includes the Friday reception and dinner with Alton Brown, the Saturday reception and Ffarm-to-table dinner on Herty Field, and a local lunch market on Sunday.

Register today!

EXTENDED DEADLINE: Dawg Trot 5K for Scholarships

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Registration for the Dawg Trot 5K for Scholarships has been extended to Monday, March 16.

Join hundreds of UGA alumni and friends for one of Athens’ largest 5K races on Saturday, March 21! This year, the UGA Alumni Association is proud to announce the Dawg Trot 5K for Scholarships will raise awareness and funds for student scholarships at UGA. Your participation ensures a bright future for students!

  • Individual: $25 (without T-shirt)
  • Individual: $40 (with T-shirt)
  • Family of Four: $65
  • Team of Ten: $155
  • UGA Student Organization Team of Ten: $110
  • UGA Student: $15

Griffin-Spalding County is UGA’s 12th Archway Partnership community

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Griffin-Spalding County is the University of Georgia’s newest Archway Partnership community, bringing to 12 the number of counties across Georgia to participate in the unique community development initiative.

“Griffin-Spalding County has progressive visionary leadership, a key ingredient to a successful Archway program,” said Mel Garber, director of Archway, a unit of the Office of Public Service and Outreach. “I commend community leaders for their unified effort.”

Founded in 2005, the Archway Partnership builds on UGA’s land-grant mission by taking a grassroots approach to address community and economic development needs, as identified by that community. Community leaders in Griffin-Spalding County have demonstrated a commitment to working together on community needs and the partnership with UGA will enhance those efforts, said Garber.

“The Archway Partnership represents the culmination of a community initiative undertaken as far back as 2008, to identify an efficient means of bringing our elected officials and their constituency groups together for the purpose of collaborative strategic planning, and the development of solutions to community challenges,” said Chuck Copeland (AB ’83), a Griffin-Spalding Chamber of Commerce volunteer.

Representatives from Griffin-Spalding County take place in the Archway Partnership MOU signing. From left to right, front row, James Westbury (BBA ’64), Rita Johnson, Doug Hollberg; back row, Chuck Copeland (AB ’83), Regent Tommy Hopkins (M ’79), Stephanie Windham and Angel Jackson.

In the Archway Partnership, the community drives the priority-need process through an executive committee made up of local citizens and community leaders. An Archway professional, based in that community, identifies resources at UGA, as well as other institutions, that can be tapped to address those needs. Since the program began in 2005, more than 850 UGA students and 158 UGA faculty members, and 25 non-UGA faculty members have engaged in an Archway Partnership project.

As the Griffin-Spalding County Archway Partnership becomes established, residents will have opportunities to participate in listening sessions and town hall meetings during which the community’s most critical needs will be identified.

“I am pleased that Griffin-Spalding County will be the next Archway Partnership community,” said Jennifer Frum (PHD ’09), vice president for public service and outreach. “We are excited about strengthening the ties between UGA and Griffin-Spalding and partnering with the community to help it grow and prosper.”

For additional information about the Archway Partnership, see www.archwaypartnership.uga.edu.

UGA unveils 2015 UGA Day Tour schedule

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The University of Georgia is once again hitting the road to bring the Bulldog spirit to alumni, friends and fans around the Southeast.
From April to July, UGA coaches and administrators will travel to seven cities, sharing their insights into UGA’s upcoming athletic seasons and the latest news from campus. Attendees will also learn more about local UGA Alumni Association chapters and how to become involved.
Each stop on the UGA Day Tour will bring delight to UGA fans of all ages – you won’t want to miss out on the action.
Registration for each stop on the tour will open in March at www.alumni.uga.edu/ugaday.
If you are interested in serving as a sponsor for UGA Day, click here for more information.
See you on the tour – Go Dawgs!

UGA names new DC facility in recognition of $5 million grant from Delta Air Lines Foundation

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Exciting news for UGA in Washington was released today. The full announcement can be read on UGA Today.

The University of Georgia has received a commitment for a $5 million grant from the Delta Air Lines Foundation to support UGA in Washington. In recognition of the gift, UGA will name the university’s new residential facility in Washington, D.C., Delta Hall. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia formally approved the naming at its meeting today.

Funding UGA in Washington has been a priority for UGA President Jere W. Morehead (JD ’80) and the UGA Foundation board of trustees as they seek to elevate the university to greater national stature. Delta’s gift also establishes a lecture series that will feature prominent speakers each year as well as five internships.

The new facility, which was purchased by the UGA Foundation in 2014, has undergone extensive renovations to transform the 20,000-square-foot space from a commercial office building to a residence hall and learning community. The renovated building provides living quarters, classroom and study space for UGA students and faculty who participate in UGA’s experiential learning programs in the nation’s capital. The facility is located on Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Capitol Hill. The inaugural class of students moved into the house in January, and the dedication of Delta Hall is planned for February 26.

UGA has a long history of promoting and sponsoring internships in Washington, D.C. The Washington Semester Program and the Honors in Washington Program, along with several schools and colleges, have offered opportunities for students to intern and study in the nation’s capital for more than a decade.

Happy New Year, Bulldogs!

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The UGA Alumni Association and the University of Georgia are well on the way to a great 2015. 26,882 undergraduate students have returned to campus for the spring academic semester, 1,113 whom are calling UGA their “home” for the first time. It is impressive to have such competitive students choosing UGA to further their educations.

This year marks the 230th celebration as the nation’s first state-chartered institution of higher education. In honor of the signing of UGA’s Charter on January 27, 1795, the UGA Alumni Association hosted the annual Founders Day Lecture. This lecture was held in the UGA Chapel and featured Paul Kurtz, UGA School of Law J. Alton Hosch Professor of Law and Associate Dean Emeritus.

The New Year brings opportunities to get more involved with the university and your local alumni chapter. Check out our upcoming events calendar online. If you are interested in chapter leadership, several chapters will be holding interest meetings in coming weeks and months.

Bulldog 100 is right around the corner! This event will take place on Saturday, February 7 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. If you were unable to nominate someone this year, the nominations for 40 Under 40 and next year’s Bulldog 100 open in mid-February.

Also, be on the lookout for UGA Days. The tour will visit 7 cities throughout Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina.

The UGA Alumni Association will keep you informed about UGA events and happenings. Simply keep your contact information up-to-date so that we include you in all the exciting things planned for 2015. You can also stay informed of events and news on Facebook and Twitter.

This year holds great potential for growth on campus and within our Alumni chapters. Let us come together as the Bulldog nation in embracing all that 2015 has to offer.

Sincerely,

Meredith Gurley Johnson (BSFCS ’00)
Executive Director
UGA Alumni Association