Are you ever texting a friend on game day and wish you could show your Bulldog spirit with images? Maybe you’re posting a picture of North Campus and can’t express your thoughts with words alone. To celebrate World Emoji Day (July 17), we’ve created 6 UGA-themed emojis we wish were on our keyboards!
Heart Eyes Uga
The Arch
Super G
X Eyes Gator
Georgia Football Helmet
UGA Bus
The Condor Chocolates cafe located in Five Points. A second location in Downtown Athens is coming soon.
Located in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Athens, Georgia, Condor Chocolates produces bean-to-bar chocolates, confections, gelato and beverages. Brothers and co-owners Peter Dale (ABJ ’99) and Nicholas Dale (BSA ’04) opened the city’s first specialty chocolate shop in 2014 as a homage to the world-class cacao of Ecuador. Visitors can witness chocolate production while indulging in handcrafted desserts. In honor of World Chocolate Day (July 7), we sat down with Peter (a UGA 40 Under 40 honoree back in 2012) to learn more about this alumni-owned chocolate shop.
Peter Dale, co-owner of Condor Chocolates.
We’re brothers, born, raised and educated in Athens. Nick worked in agriculture after graduating from UGA. His expertise has been invaluable in sourcing beans directly from Ecuador. I graduated with a journalism degree before realizing my passion for food. There’s still a storytelling piece of what we do, which relates to my experience at Grady College. We tell stories through food and beverage rather than the written word.
Lean into the UGA community for advice, support and a very loyal customer base.
We bring people together through delicious and beautiful flavors. Crafted with pride and integrity, grown in Ecuador, made in Georgia, from our family to yours.
The affogato! Meaning drowned in Italian, the affogato is a shot of espresso with a scoop of chocolate gelato. The gelato sandwich is also a perfect option for summer! It’s two cookies, filled with gelato and coated with cocoa nibs.
Since opening in 2014, we have expanded chocolate making to the Chases Street Warehouses, allowing us to make more products and reach more people. We also have a new café coming soon in downtown. Check it out!
In a few weeks, we’re launching our Bulldog Bark, a milk chocolate bar with dried strawberries, pecans and cocoa nibs. With football season coming up, we’re excited to share a red and black product with our Dawgs.
We love seeing alumni at the café. Our Bulldog bars and upcoming Bulldog Bark make great hostess gifts and stocking stuffers. Out-of-state alumni can shop for Condor at condorchocolates.com.
Every day is World Chocolate Day at Condor Chocolates. But on July 7, we will show our customers the whole chocolate production process from bean to bar.
Chef and restauranteur Peter Dale (ABJ ’99) led a virtual cooking class with the Young Alumni Council and it went deliciously. Peter is an award-winning chef and has flavored Athens’ dynamic food scene with restaurants like The National, Seabear Oyster Bar, Condor Chocolates and Maepole. Peter demonstrated three recipes over the course of the evening: a local greens with pears and asiago cheese salad, gambas al ajillo, and chocolate budino.
If you missed the event, don’t worry! The recording is just above the post title on this page, and here we have the recipes and ingredient lists straight from Peter.
By the end of the event, attendees donated an impressive $1,700 toward the purchase of a food truck for Campus Kitchen at UGA that will allowed them to expand their service. That total recently reached $2,500, triggering matched funds from the UGA Young Alumni Council (for a total of $5,000) and reaching the fundraising goal for the truck purchase. Thanks for getting that food truck rolling, Bulldog donors!
April 23 is National Picnic Day. With spring blooming in Athens, it’s time to grab a blanket, pack a meal, invite a few friends and find your favorite outdoor spot at the University of Georgia. There are 700 acres of campus to choose from, and we lined up our top campus spots to help you picnic like a Bulldog.
Photo: Dorothy Kozlowski, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
You can’t go wrong with anywhere on UGA’s historic North Campus, but the Founders Memorial Garden offers a quiet escape from the usual bustle of campus. Enter on Lumpkin Street across from Morris Hall to explore the 2.5-acre garden’s network of paths, koi pond and over 300 species of plants.
Photo: Dorothy Kozlowski, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
Whether you have a green thumb or are horticulturally hopeless, the UGA Horticulture Trial Gardens is the perfect spot for the plant lover. Tucked between Snelling Dining Hall and the College of Pharmacy’s R.C. Wilson Pharmacy Building, this spot offers a variety of blooms, shady benches and a dreamy gazebo. Bonus: you can browse the plants being tested by UGA’s horticulture department while you’re there.
Photo: Andrew Davis Tucker, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
Located within Oconee Forest Park, the Lake Herrick pavilion and docks offer several spots to soak up the sun on a spring day. Wander the lakeside trail or bring a frisbee to toss with friends.
Photo: Andrew Davis Tucker, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
G-Day means we’re creeping closer to fall and football season! If you can’t wait to cheer for the Dawgs as they tee it up between the hedges, feed your anticipation with a picnic on Sanford Stadium’s west end zone overlook. If you have a speaker, queue “Baba Riley,” “Glory” and “Let the Big Dog Eat” to mimic that Saturday-in-Athens feeling.
Photo: Dorothy Kozlowski, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
Nestled in the center of the Terry College Business Learning Community is the Coca-Cola Plaza. This grassy courtyard near the heart of campus is a great spot to share a Coke with a fellow Bulldog. If you forgot your beverages – or your picnic basket – the Au Bon Pain inside the BLC offers coffee and pastry treats.
Photo: University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
The more, the merrier, right? A picnic at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Memorial Garden, also known as the turtle pond, will guarantee a few aquatic guests at your picnic. This secluded spot outside the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is a South Campus hidden gem.
Photo: University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
For the athlete or the social butterfly, Myers Quad is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Bounded by Myers, Rutherford and Mary Lyndon halls, the quad hosts ultimate frisbee games, Spikeball matches and student gatherings big and small.
Photo: Peter Frey, University of Georgia Marketing and Communications
Reconnect with UGA’s roots at the site of the first UGA football game in 1892. Before the English white bulldog was adopted as UGA’s official mascot, the Mercer Bears lost to the UGA Goats 50-0. That’s right – the UGA goats. This historic site is flanked by Moore College and the beautiful Herty Fountain.
Luke and his two sons enjoying a hike together
Father’s Day (June 21, 2020) is almost here and you need to avoid what happened last year. Remember? You waited until the day before to go shopping and ended up buying the singing wall trout, or the Potty Putter, or that “World’s Greatest Dad” T-shirt. It was not your best moment. Luckily Father’s Day happens every year and 2020 is your chance to right last year’s wrong. This year you can give your dad something that will have him jumping for joy.
Wait … you waited until the day before because you didn’t know where to shop? Don’t worry, friend, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 amazing gift ideas from UGA alumni-run businesses that will have him high fiving the room and singing “Glory, Glory” the rest of the day. Not only do these businesses have wonderful products, but the UGA graduates who run them are past Bulldog 100 honorees! Look at you … supporting small businesses and your fellow Dawgs and giving a gift that will make you the envy of the virtual family gathering. Talk about going from worst to first!
Congratulations in advance to you and your dad! Now, to the list. Scroll through gift ideas for every type of dad below.
Did your dad win the “Best Dressed” senior superlative and could easily win it again today? If so, he has probably shopped at Onward Reserve and would love to receive any of their clothing items. Shirts, shorts, pants, shoes, belts … you name it, they have it. Onward Reserve’s motto is “Live authentically” and you will be living authentically as the favorite child if you go this route.
Locations: Athens, GA; 3 locations in Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN; Clemson, SC; Dallas, TX; Nashville, TN; Thomasville, GA; and Washington, DC
Bulldog: TJ Callaway (BBA ’07), Founder/CEO
There is a rumor going around that businesses are going to make shoes optional. Sock Fancy products seem to be taking over, and bosses everywhere are asking why you’d ever cover an inch of these suave and durable masterpieces. Would your dad’s feet look and feel great in the latest Sock Fancy styles and colors? Of course they would! Sock Fancy is a subscription service, so your pops’ sock game would be on point every month and he could turn the “no shoes” rumor into reality.
Bulldog: Stefan Lewinger (AB ’11), Co-Founder/CEO
ASW Distillery and their staff are the “Southern Pot-Still Pioneers,” and your father can be a libation legend in his own right. If your dad is the guy who visits Kentucky every other year and sets up quarterly bourbon tastings for the neighborhood, if he is known as the local spirits savant, or if he just wants to do those things, then he would be the perfect recipient of ASW’s Maris Otter Whiskey or Resurgens Rye. Any of their selections would be a welcome addition to his private collection. Cheers to you, your dad, and your amazing gift-giving abilities!
Locations: Two locations in Atlanta, GA
Bulldogs: James Chasteen (BBA ’98), Co-Founder/CEO; Kelly Chasteen (BSED ’00), Head of Retail and Private Events; Justin Manglitz (BBA ’04), Master Distiller; Chad Ralston (BBA ’08), CMO; Charles Thompson (AB ’99, MBA ’03, JD ’03), Co-Founder
Your dad is a true trailblazer. Remember when you played rec-league basketball, softball, baseball, etc. and your dad let you put your nickname on the back of your jersey? It didn’t matter that you were terrible as long as “T-Rex,” “Izzy,” or “Mad Max” graced your uniform. You were the coolest, and your dad changed the jersey game forever. So head to Zeus’ Closet to return the favor and spice up his current attire with a custom touch. They can personalize clothing to suit your dad’s unique flare and continue his tradition of changing the fashion landscape.
P.S. – Tell your dad that the 1989 Ninja Turtles T-ball squad and I said, “Thank you for your contribution to sports.”
Locations: Atlanta, GA; Kennesaw, GA
Bulldogs: Ethan King (AB ’99), Co-Founder/CEO; Monica Allen (BBA ’96), Co-Founder/COO
Fathers teach us many lessons. Surprisingly, many of those nuggets of wisdom involve smells. Like that day when your dad handed you your first stick of deodorant and lovingly said, “You stink.” Or the time you returned from soccer practice and threw your half-open gym bag on the floor, filling the room with an odor words can’t describe. Dad just walked over, handed you some Febreze, and smiled. It was a Hallmark moment. He also gave you your first bottle of perfume/cologne followed by the phrase, “Smell good, feel good.” Get the father of fantastic fragrances one of the rustic, natural colognes from EastWest Bottlers. With several different scents to choose from, you can’t go wrong. This gift will show him the student has now become the teacher.
Location: Austin, TX
Bulldogs: Charlie Holderness (BSFCS ’05), Co-Founder; Matt Moore (BBA ’05), Co-Founder; Colin Newberry (AB ’05), Co-Founder
It was a day that has never been forgotten. You were 14-years-old and decided to make your dad a carrot cake for Father’s Day. You followed the recipe to the letter and could not wait for your dad to taste your culinary masterpiece. With the whole family watching, your dad took a bite and the crunch of some unknown substance was heard ‘round the room. He swallowed that bite after gnawing at it for what felt like an hour. Sadly, nobody else was brave enough to try it. It’s the reason “Maybe [insert your name] can bring dessert,” is followed by an explosion of laughter. Don’t make that mistake again. Put up the mixer and head to Southern Baked Pie Company. With delicious sweet and savory pies, maybe they can help folks forget about the carrot cake incident … but probably not.
Locations: Alpharetta, GA; Atlanta, GA; Gainesville, GA
UGA Bulldog: Amanda Dalton Wilbanks (BBA ’09), Founder
Your dad finds a way to mix topics like superfoods, hydration, the importance of sleep, and exercising into every conversation. He listens to podcasts about organic foods, currently holds the record for “longest plank” at the neighborhood yoga studio and closing the circles on his Apple watch is the highlight of his day. Binge-watching workout tutorials on YouTube like they’re “Tiger King” is his idea of a good time. This Father’s Day, let Georgia Grinders help you feed his health craze. Their specialty is creating all-natural nut butters, and your dad surely knows the health benefits of nuts like almonds, peanuts and pecans. Give him one of their trio gift boxes, and he might serve something other than kale at the next meal.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Bulldog: Jaime Foster (BSA ’99), Founder/CEO
Your father starts his day with a five-mile jog, a long bike ride, and pilates class all before you’ve had your first cup of coffee. He is a living legend at the local YMCA and goes by the nickname “Buckets.” Sports movies like “Rudy,” “Blue Chips” and “Rocky” are a few of his favorites. He was a tri-state athlete in high school and could hold his own with the young bucks today. If this sounds like your dad, then give him a gift from SculptHouse. They offer fitness classes and athletic wear that will make your dad as happy as the start of Georgia football season. Trust me, it will be a homerun.
Location: Atlanta, GA
Bulldogs: Katherine Mason (ABJ ’12), Co-Founder; Jennifer McKissick (ABJ ’12), Co-Founder
Some guys live for sports or woodworking. Others know all about wines or the latest tech gadget. Your dad’s obsession is coffee. He knows all the baristas at the local coffee shop by name, and they always know his usual. When the family goes on vacation, he gets souvenir mugs to add to his already overflowing collection. His day is planned around his next cup. For these fathers, Rev Coffee Roasters and Three Tree Coffee Roasters will be able to satisfy his cravings. Both offer a variety of coffee blends they can ship and storefronts where you can purchase food and other merchandise.
Location: Smyrna, GA
Bulldog: Jenn Bimmerle (AB ’02), Marketing Director
Location: Statesboro, GA
Bulldog: Philip Klayman (BSA ’11), Founder
Does your dad have a tailgating spot that’s been “in the family for generations” (aka since he was in school in ’85)? Does he have four generators, three televisions, a speaker system, and 20 assorted food staples to create the ultimate game day experience? Has he spent a small fortune supporting the Dawgs at away games? Then your pops is the ultimate Georgia fan and knows that game day isn’t complete without boiled peanuts. Show your father you’ve learned a thing or two and give him some delicious boiled peanuts from Hardy Farms Peanuts. He will enjoy the gift of this “country caviar” and might even let you yell the orders at the next tailgate set-up.
Location: Hawkinsville, GA
Bulldogs: Brad Hardy (BSA ’96), President; Ken Hardy (BSA ’93), Co-CEO
There you have it, Dawgs! 10 gift ideas from 11 different businesses that will negate last year’s debacle and put you in your dad’s good graces. Gifts from any of these places are sure to make any father proud to have a child as caring, thoughtful, and all-around awesome as you. Congrats in advance on the gift. You have set yourself up nicely for your next birthday.
Airee Edwards (AB ’99) wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she graduated from UGA with a bachelor’s in fabric design, but she knew she wanted to stay in Athens.
So she looked for a business opening, asking herself what was missing, what did Athens not have?
The answer: an open market where anyone could sell their vintage furniture, handcrafted items, art, or whatever, really.
“I went to what seemed like every bank in Athens, and I heard a lot of no’s,” Edwards says. But with savings from waiting tables and taking money off the house she’d bought, “a risky move” as she describes it, Edwards convinced a local bank to lend her what she needed to open Agora in 2002. (Agora means “open marketplace” in Greek.)
The only problem? Edwards didn’t have a business degree. But growing up, she’d followed her mother from one craft fair to the next, selling tissue box holders they fashioned from vintage fabrics. That early exposure to entrepreneurship stuck with her.
So she learned as she went, eventually outgrowing the little shop at the corner of Clayton and Pulaski. Sellers had also begun bringing in higher-end items, including women’s clothing and accessories, and Edwards’ husband, attorney and Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Russell Edwards (JD ’10), suggested she move the fashion items to a new store a few blocks away on Broad Street, right across from North Campus.
For a while, the Edwards family headed both stores, an exhausting but incredibly rewarding job. But she eventually decided to focus on one of her first loves—fashion—and grow the now iconic vintage fashion store on Broad, selling the furniture store that would become Atomic Vintage.
When you walk into the recently renovated Agora Vintage, you see an Art Deco-inspired cabinet lined with bags from Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Hermès, just to name a few. But there are also less expensive, gently used Coach, Tory Burch, and Marc by Marc Jacobs bags toward the back of the store. The counter display is full of beautiful, estate jewelry.
To the left, rows of vintage and modern clothes, all marked significantly below retail. Designer shoes are toward the back.
But what makes Agora Vintage stand out is Edwards herself. She’s almost always in the store, greeting customers, suggesting items she knows they have to have, and tracking down pieces they’ve inquired about. It’s that attention to detail that has landed Agora several times on the Bulldog 100, which lists the fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni. Agora Vintage has made the list an outstanding six times in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020.
But she never forgets the place that made it all possible, regularly speaking in classes at UGA and supporting the Georgia Museum of Art.
“I tell them the whole story about how I couldn’t get a loan and was eating potato chips for a year, thought I was going to get scurvy,” Edwards says. “I now own a business that allows me to live securely and enjoy some success. UGA helped me build that.”
This story was originally published in Georgia Magazine.
Athens is a fantastic place to visit. Whether you’re in town on a gameday or for a weekend getaway, there is no shortage of fun to be had in the Classic City. Athens boasts a slew of Bulldog-owned or -operated businesses, many of which have made the Bulldog 100 list over the years. Next time you are town, be sure to support the alumni entrepreneurs behind these successful businesses.
And be sure to check out the complete 2020 Bulldog 100 list–there might be a business you can support in your own hometown!
Check out Saucehouse BBQ for a fun, inviting and authentic BBQ experience. They offer a variety of BBQ sauces and made-from-scratch food that will have you screaming … “it’s the best BBQ anywhere!”
830 W. Broad Street
Christopher Belk (AB ’05, MBA ’13)
They love chicken salad—as if you hadn’t guessed from their name—and they serve up more than a dozen tasty flavors every day.
196 Alps Road
Scott Deviney (AB ’95)
Brothers Nick and Peter Dale, born, raised and educated in Athens, own and operate Condor Chocolates located in the historic Five Points neighborhood of Athens. They produce and sell bean-to-bar chocolate bars, truffles, sipping chocolate, hot cocoa, coffee, iced beverages, gelato and a variety of confections.
1658 S. Lumpkin Street
Nicholas Dale (BSA ’04), Peter Dale (ABJ ’99)
Southland Organics helps farmers and landscape professionals overcome bacterial challenges and nutrient deficiencies. They work to enhance landscapes by eliminating harmful microbes, and delivering vibrant color and health to your crops.
189 Luke Road (Bogart)
Mike Usry (BSED ’99)
Onward Reserve aims to live authentically. This menswear store, with locations in and outside of Athens, has everything from button-downs to coolers.
146 E. Clayton Street
TJ Callaway (BBA ’07)
Inspired by the Italian culture, Your Pie invites customers to experience the art of making their own pizza.
196 Alps Road (Athens) // 1430 Capital Avenue (Watkinsville)
Drew French (BBA ’05), Bucky Cook (BBA ’77), Allen French (BS ’77)
Avid Bookshop is an independent, community-focused bookstore with two locations in Athens. Avid aims to be a safe space for locals, while standing up for human rights, equality and the freedom to read.
1662 S. Lumpkin Street // 493 Prince Avenue
Janet Geddis (MED ’06)
ESP creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families to engage, connect and thrive. When you visit, check out where ESP’s Java Joy team is serving coffee and a smile.
189 VFW Drive
Laura Whitaker (BSED ’07, MED ’10)
Cheeky Peach is a local boutique with the goal of creating a shopping experience that makes customers feel good about themselves. Cheeky Peach’s style is fearless, authentic and fashion-forward.
160 W. Clayton Street
Katie Jacobs (ABJ ’05), Jason Jacobs (BS ’10)
What started as a sibling-run company has now become a larger team dedicated to bringing its customers’ ideas to life. The Sign Brothers design, produce and install the highest quality signs and graphics.
195 Ben Burton Circle (Bogart)
Justin Seibert (BSA ’02)
Entourage was founded on the belief that you don’t have to spend a million to look like a million. They are always changing, and always in style.
2095 S. Milledge Avenue
Katie Nichols (BSFCS ’05)
Pawtropolis is your source for all things pets. Their mission is to create an environment where your cat or dog is safe, happy and mentally stimulated.
130 Whitetail Way (Bogart)
Amanda Rodriguez Crook (BS ’01), John Crook (BS ’02)
This family-owned, vintage consignment shop has been serving the Athens community for over 20 years. Agora sells quality, designer goods at a fraction of the price.
233 E. Broad Street
Airee Edwards (AB ’99), Russell Edwards (JD ’10)
Inspired by the creative culture of Athens, Terrapin is always adding quality craft beers to its lineup. Terrapin’s mission is to create unique experiences through passionate brewing.
265 Newton Bridge Road
John Cochran (BBA ’93), Dustin Watts (BBA ’03), Irina Melnik Cochran (BBA ’93)
Nuçi’s Space is a musician’s resource center fighting to end the epidemic of suicide and the stigma surrounding mental illness. Whether you are seeking support for your own well-being, for a loved one or for a friend, you don’t have to do it alone. They are here to help.
396 Oconee Street
Bob Sleppy (BS ’05, MBA ’10)
Trying to decide where to eat breakfast or brunch during your next visit to Athens (maybe even for Alumni Weekend)? Why not check out an alumni-owned restaurant, such as …
Owner: David Asman (BS ’08)
Location: 268 N. Jackson Street
Fun Fact: Athens Bagel Company sells nitro mimosas on draft.
“When I go to Athens Bagel, I get to eat good food and support a local business, which I love.” – Zoe Maher ’21
Owner: Jessica Rothacker (AB ’03)
Location: 815 N. Chase Street
Fun Fact: Heirloom is run by a father-daughter team.
“My favorite thing to get at Heirloom is the ‘doscuit holes!’ Biscuits as donuts? You can’t go wrong.” – Caitlyn Richtman (AB ’19, AB ’19)
Photo from @homemadeathens on Instagram
Owner: Melissa Clegg (BBA ’88)
Location: 174-184 W. Clayton Street
Fun Fact: Jimmy Buffet performed at Last Resort before it transitioned from music club to restaurant.
“The three-cheese bacon omelet is to die for!” – Austin Grant ’22
Co-owner: Cooper Hudson (ABJ ’98)
Co-owner: Alicia Segars (AB ’93)
Original Location: 197 Oak Street
Fun Fact: Mama’s Boy has a second location at The Falls(8851 Macon Highway, Suite 403)
Check out Sam Flexner’s Haiku below!
Photo from @theplaceathens on Instagram
Co-owner: Alan Pope (AB ’08)
Co-owner: Ryan Pope (BBA ’09)
Location: 229 E. Broad Street
Fun Fact: The Place is named after the owner’s grandfather’s car dealership.
“The chicken and waffles at The Place are my favorite.” – Maggie Cavalenes ’20
Photo from @zombiecoffeeanddonuts on Instagram
Owner: Tony Raffa (BBA ’16)
Location: 350 E. Broad Street
Fun Fact: Each month, Zombie donates 5% of gross profits to local nonprofits–often departments or programs on campus!
“Zombie has tons of different toppings to choose from. There’s something for everyone!” – Julia Strother ’20
We love celebrating UGA alumni, especially when they open delicious restaurants. On your next visit to the Classic City—to attend a football game, meet your student mentee or attend Alumni Weekend—we hope you’ll start your day at one of these eateries.
Duh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh nuh BAT … WEEK! Not what you were expecting? Neither was I until the Odum School of Ecology launched their Bulldogs for Bats campaign. Since then, I’ve learned a lot about bats that has completely reshaped my opinion. Much like the beloved DC Comics superhero who saves Gotham, bats are saving local ecosystems in the night and are often misunderstood. From Australia to right here in Athens, Georgia, bats serve as natural pest control and are essential pollinators of many plants.
So what’s Bat Week, you ask? It’s an international, annual celebration designed to raise awareness about the need for bat conservation. And it starts today! Did you know bats face risk of disease, habitat loss, pesticide use and wind energy, just to name a few? Diminishing numbers of bats pose a threat not only to the functioning of healthy ecosystems, but also to human well-being. Insect-eating bats, including the 16 species found in Georgia, save the U.S. agricultural industry at least $3 billion a year in pest control costs and crop damage. Bats also help control mosquito populations and may reduce the risk of emerging diseases, such as West Nile Virus, in the Southeast. This week, we’re spreading awareness about the vital role bats play, and how you can help save them.
Bulldogs for Bats is a campaign that’s been running the entire month of October to raise support for bat conservation efforts. All funds donated will provide local bats with a safe, sustainable environment while enhancing student learning and research opportunities. While many of our graduate students have conducted fieldwork research abroad, building bat houses in the community will provide students more chances for experiential learning and hands-on research right in our backyard.
So when you see some of these so-called “spooky” creatures on Halloween, think of the difference they’re making in our environment. And please consider saving the bats—what better time than during Bat Week?
Bob Sleppy (BS ’05, MBA ’10) is the executive director of Nuçi’s Space, an Athens, Georgia, nonprofit that allows musicians to meet with doctors about physical and/or mental health issues.
For World Mental Health Day today (October 10), we asked Bob to share a little about Nuçi’s Space, his UGA experience, and how attitudes toward mental health issues have evolved over the two decades since Nuçi’s Space first opened its doors.
How does Nuçi’s Space serve the Athens community?
Nuçi’s Space was created in memory of 22-year-old UGA student and talented musician, Nuçi Phillips, who was diagnosed with clinical depression in high school. Although he fought courageously, Nuçi sadly lost his battle, and on Thanksgiving Day 1996, he ended his life.
Nuçi Phillips
Nuçi’s Space is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent suicide by actively supporting the emotional, physical, and professional well-being of musicians. Nuçi’s Space advocates for and helps to alleviate the suffering of those living with a brain illness while also fighting to end the stigma attached to such illnesses. To accomplish this mission, Nuçi’s Space provides a healthy, safe environment in which musicians are supported and guided to affordable, obstacle-free appropriate professional care. While appropriate treatment of brain illnesses is crucial, Nuçi’s Space also recognizes and strives to heighten awareness in order to help to identify preventive tools, including how individuals can maintain healthy lifestyles.
Since its inception, Nuçis’ Space has financially assisted 2,000+ musicians, subsidized 23,000+ appointments with mental health professionals, at a cost of over $1.2 million.
Nuçi’s Space
Describe your biggest challenge as executive director of Nuçi’s Space.
I don’t know if there is just one challenge that stands out from the others. The challenge is finding balance among all the roles and responsibilities that come with the job. I’ve found that the best way to overcome this challenge is to hire great people and lean on them to help navigate the daily ups-and-downs of managing a nonprofit organization.
How does Nuçi’s Space collaborate with UGA?
Our collaboration with UGA and its students is almost too extensive to share in its entirety. In addition to the students who volunteer with us, we regularly work with the Music Business Program, AU/UGA Medical Partnership, Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership, School of Social Work, Student Health Center and the UGA Police Department. The University of Georgia has been a terrific partner in our growth and we continue to look for new and exciting ways to collaborate.
Bob with his family at the 2016 Teacher of the Year Banquet where he received that year’s honor.
How has your UGA education prepared you for this role?
In addition to the high caliber of professors, fellow students and endless learning opportunities, the attribute that really makes the University of Georgia stand out is its commitment to service learning and community engagement. The opportunity to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to real-world situations is unparalleled.
How has the community perception of mental health evolved since you started at Nuçi’s Space?
I was hired as the executive director in 1999. Fortunately, I have seen some improvement in how depression and suicide are perceived by the public. Most of the stigma related to mental illness can be attributed to a lack of understanding and misinformation. The more we talk about mental illness, share our personal stories and feel empathy for each other, opportunities to lessen the stigma will occur. This weekend, during the third quarter of the UGA vs. South Carolina football game, the crowd will be asked to hold up three fingers in remembrance of Tyler Hilinski, the brother of South Carolina’s quarterback Ryan Hilinski. Tyler lost his battle with mental illness when he took his own life in 2018. Twenty years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that 92,746 football fans would pause for a moment to honor those we’ve lost or who continue to suffer with a mental illness.
Did you have a favorite professor?
I had great professors and lecturers throughout my undergraduate and graduate programs. My experience as a student in the Terry Part-time MBA Program was beyond what I could have hoped for. Some of the professors who come to mind are Dr. Ann Buchholtz, Dr. Dwight Lee, Charles Lankau III, and Dr. Bob Boehmer. However, I attribute a good portion of my professional success to Dr. David Harvey. His financial accounting class was very challenging, but it solidified the work ethic my parents instilled in me when I was younger. I have such a profound respect for Dr. Harvey and was delighted when he accepted a position on the Nuçi’s Space Board of Directors earlier this year, nearly 12 years after I attended my first class with him.
Bob and his daughter, Finley, take in a Georgia game at Sanford Stadium.
What is your favorite part of teaching?
I have been fortunate to teach Theory and Management of Nonprofit Organizations, Social Entrepreneurship and Nonprofit Leadership through the Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership at the UGA School of Social Work for the past 8 years. My favorite part of teaching are the ongoing relationships I have with students. I try to incorporate a Socratic style of teaching so that we discover, analyze, discuss and solve problems in the classroom together. Often my interaction with students extends beyond graduation. I receive occasional emails from former students who stay in contact with me. I love watching them transition from students into colleagues.
Has teaching enhanced your ability to perform your role at Nuçi’s Space?
Absolutely. The blessing and curse of teaching very smart students is that they keep me on my toes. My responsibility as an instructor to stay current on trends and best practices in the nonprofit sector directly impacts my role as an executive director.
Most meaningful experience at Nuçi’s Space?
I have so many great experiences at Nuçi’s Space that it’s impossible to choose just one. One of my proudest moments was when my work at Nuçi’s Space and my involvement with UGA coincided. Nuçi’s Space has been recognized four times (2012,2013, 2015, 2016) as a Bulldog 100 business, recognizing the 100 fastest growing businesses owned or run by an alumnus.
