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UGA names building for Sanford and Barbara Orkin

This article was originally published on UGA Today on February 15, 2018.

Writer: David Dodson, Terry College of Business (ABJ ’89)

Third and final phase of the Business Learning Community will open in 2019

The next building to become part of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business will be named for Sanford and Barbara Orkin of Atlanta.

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents has approved naming one of the two buildings currently under construction in the third and final phase of the Business Learning Community for the Orkins in recognition of their longstanding support of UGA, including a $5 million gift to the Terry College of Business.

“Sanford and Barbara Orkin’s tremendous generosity will leave an enduring legacy at the University of Georgia,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “Their latest gift, which will further enhance the learning environment on our campus, demonstrates their unyielding commitment to supporting the endeavors of our students, faculty and staff.”

The building to be named Sanford and Barbara Orkin Hall—located at the corner of Baxter and Hull streets—will include a large auditorium, undergraduate classrooms, a behavioral lab, a computer lab for marketing research, interview suites and faculty and administrative offices.

“Throughout this building campaign and the construction that followed, creating a modern and vibrant learning community for the Terry College of Business has been our primary goal,” said Dean Benjamin C. Ayers. “We are so grateful to the Orkins for their philanthropic investment in the college’s future, and we look forward to opening and dedicating the final two buildings of the Business Learning Community next year.”

Sanford and Barbara Orkin both attended UGA. Drafted into military service while still a student, Sanford Orkin joined his family’s pest control business after returning from the Korean War and served as president. Following the sale of Orkin Pest Control to Rollins Inc. in 1964, he maintained real estate and business interests in Atlanta and volunteered his time and support to UGA in numerous ways, including as a trustee of the UGA Foundation and UGA Real Estate Foundation.

“Barbara and I love the University of Georgia and are so pleased to continue our support of its academic mission to educate future leaders for the state and nation,” Sanford Orkin said.

The Orkins’ most recent gift extends a remarkable legacy of giving to UGA. The couple has endowed a $1 million scholarship fund for low-income students, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar position in the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases and supported the School of Law, the College of Education, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, the College of Public Health, UGA Athletics and other academic initiatives.

Phase III of the Business Learning Community is currently under construction. Phase II was completed in 2017.

The university broke ground on Phase III construction of the Business Learning Community in October 2017 after the dedication of Amos Hall, Benson Hall and Moore-Rooker Hall. Terry College faculty and staff moved into the Phase II buildings last summer, and classes began this past fall. Phase I (Correll Hall) was funded entirely by private contributions and opened in 2015. Phase II and III are the result of a public-private partnership between the state of Georgia and hundreds of donors. The Business Learning Community represents one of the largest capital projects in the University System’s history.

UGA reports 96 percent career outcomes rate for Class of 2017

This article was originally published on UGA Today on February 15, 2018.

Writer: Danielle Bezila

Results are 11 percent higher than the national average

University of Georgia research shows that 96 percent of recent graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduating. UGA’s career outcomes rate for the Class of 2017 is 11 percent higher than the national average.

Of those students:
• 63 percent were employed full time;
• 20 percent were attending graduate school; and
• Approximately 12 percent were self-employed, interning full time or were employed part time.

“UGA’s high career outcomes rate demonstrates our university’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to learn in and beyond the classroom,” said Scott Williams, executive director of the Career Center. “Combined with our strong academics, the experiential learning requirement provides students with hands-on experiences, such as internships, equipping them with the skills and experiences that make them more competitive in the job market.”

The UGA Class of 2017 was hired by 2,925 unique employers, including Fortune 500 companies, across all 50 states and in 37 countries. Of the full-time employed graduates, 72 percent accepted employment within Georgia. Top employers for the Class of 2017 include AT&T, Chick-fil-A, IBM, Georgia-Pacific and UPS.

“Our state benefits from being home to so many successful companies—companies that want to hire our students,” said Jill Walton, UGA’s executive director of corporate and foundation relations. “UGA is committed to serving our state through educating tomorrow’s leaders.”

These graduates are working in all sectors of the economy—66 percent in business, 24 percent in education, 6 percent in government and 4 percent in nonprofits.

“UGA students are pursuing careers in diverse industries, career areas and geographic locations,” Williams said. “We are proud that our students continue to secure positions with top companies, as well as enter highly selective graduate and professional programs.”

The 20 percent of graduates who are continuing their education are attending top graduate schools such as Columbia University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

CareerOutcomes-Infographic-Classof2017_Page_2-1140x1440

UGA’s career outcomes rate for the Class of 2017 is 11 percent higher than the national average.

The career outcomes rate is the percentage of students who are employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment within six months after graduation. The UGA Career Center calculates the career outcomes rate each January by leveraging information from a variety of sources. This year, the Career Center was able to collect data on 88 percent of 2017 graduates, 26 percent higher than the national average, which helps provide a more accurate snapshot of UGA students’ employment status. Outcomes data was collected using the following sources: survey, phone calls, employer reporting, departmental collaboration, LinkedIn and the National Student Clearinghouse.

More details about UGA’s Class of 2017 career outcomes, is online.

More about hiring UGA graduates is online.

Do you want to help support student success at UGA and ensure students are prepared for professional interviews? Make a gift to the Dawgs Suit Up Scholarship, which allows students to attend the Dawgs Suit Up Event and receive professional interview attire free of charge from JCPenney.

UGA Career Center 
The University of Georgia Career Center provides a range of services, helping students identify potential careers, connecting them with employers for job interviews and internships and much more. The Career Center’s home, Clark Howell Hall, provides spaces for career advising, networking events and job interviews.

Bulldog Love Stories

Celebrate UGA’s 233rd anniversary

In recognition of the university’s anniversary as the birthplace of public higher education in America, the UGA Alumni Association and Student Alumni Association host a weeklong celebration. The highlight of the week is the annual Founders Day Lecture, which is sponsored by the Office of the President, Provost’s Office, UGA Alumni Association and the Emeriti Scholars, a group of retired faculty members known for their teaching abilities, who continue to be involved in the university’s academic life through part-time teaching, research and service assignments. Held in the UGA Chapel, this event has become a Founders Day tradition, drawing alumni, students, faculty, esteemed guests and members of the community.

The lecture is open to the public and free to attend. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor, associate head of the Department of Geography and director of programs in Atmospheric Sciences, will present the 2018 lecture.

In addition to the lecture, the UGA Student Alumni Association and Student Alumni Council host a variety of free Founders Week events and giveaways for students to celebrate the day UGA became the birthplace of public higher education in America.

Monday, January 22

  • Founders Week T-shirt giveaway* on Tate north lawn from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Founders Day Lecture given by Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor, associate head of the Department of Geography and director of programs in Atmospheric Sciences, at 1:30 p.m. in the UGA Chapel.

Tuesday, January 23

  • #TraditionTuesday at the Abraham Baldwin statue from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • 100 Days ‘Til Graduation in Memorial Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, January 24

  • President Morehead’s State of the University Address in the UGA Chapel at 3:30 p.m.
  • 100 Days ‘Til Graduation in Memorial Hall from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 25

  • Founders Week Banner Contest

Friday, January 26

  • Founders Day Celebration in Tate Plaza from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

*Students must be a member of the Student Alumni Association to receive a T-shirt

Five reasons the University of Georgia is an academic powerhouse

As the Bulldogs head into the SEC championship, see why UGA is winning both on the field and in the classroom.

This story was originally published by the Division of Marketing and Communications..

1. Our students love it here. Four students apply for every spot in our first-year class and 96 percent return for their second year, well above the 61 percent return national average rate. Oh, and for those four out of every 100 who don’t return, we wish them well because that’s the kind of place we are.

2. Our students love it even when they do leave. A whopping 95 percent of our graduates are either employed or attending graduate school within six months of graduation, well above the national average (that makes moms and dads happy, too!).

3.  We’re a trend-setter in higher education. We’re the largest public university nationwide to provide every undergraduate student a hands-on learning experience and we’ve launched more than 100 “Double Dawgs” degree programs where students earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years or less and save money.

4. Our students are smart and they thrive. This year, our enrolling first-year students averaged a straight “A” GPA (yes, that’s 4.0), a 1344 SAT score, and 30 ACT score (there’s really nothing average about any of that). In the past 20 years, we’ve been one of the top three public universities producing Rhodes Scholars because of our dogged focus on enhancing the learning environment — for all our talented students.

5. We’re strong academically and athletically. Forbes ranked us No. 17 in its 2017 list of top colleges that dominate academically and athletically.  We’re ranked as the 16th best national public research university by U.S. News & World Report. We are one of only 10 public universities ranked in the top 20 among Division I schools in both academics and athletics.

Five University of Georgia alumni to be recognized for civic service

WriterEmily Webb

This story was originally published by UGA Today on November 6, 2017.

Five University of Georgia alumni will be honored November 17 at the university’s Tucker Dorsey Blue Key Alumni Awards Banquet.

The event will take place at Mahler Hall in the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. The 6:30 p.m. reception will be followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m.

Attorney C. Randall Nuckolls, hospital association executive Susan C. Waltman and UGA administrator Victor K. Wilson will receive the Blue Key Service Award. Honors Program director David S. Williams will receive the Blue Key Faculty Service Award. Physician Matthew T. Crim, who also is a faculty member with the Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, will be presented with the Blue Key Young Alumnus Award.

Recipients of the AT&T Student Leadership Award, the Richard B. Russell Student Leadership Award and the Tucker Dorsey Memorial Scholarship will be announced during the banquet. The 2017-2018 Blue Key initiates also will be recognized.

The Blue Key Honor Society is a national organization whose members are committed to leadership in student life, high scholastic achievement, service to others and citizenship. Established in 1924 at the University of Florida, the organization’s second chapter was established at UGA in 1926.

The award recipients are:

Randall Nuckolls

Nuckolls is a partner in the Washington, D.C., office of Dentons US LLP. He previously served as chief counsel and legislative director for U.S. Sens. Herman Talmadge and Sam Nunn. Since leaving Capitol Hill, Nuckolls has served as Washington counsel for the University of Georgia, assisting with federal government relations initiatives and building relationships with Congress and the executive branch.

Nuckolls has helped devise strategies to bring infrastructure dollars to UGA for buildings, secure research funding from various federal agencies and transfer federal properties. He also helped to advance President Jere W. Morehead’s priorities of establishing UGA’s Honors in Washington and Washington Semester programs, as well as UGA’s residential facility, Delta Hall.

Nuckolls is a member and past chair of the Society of International Business Fellows and a member of Leadership Georgia. He currently serves on the board of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, the Georgia 4-H Foundation, Wesley Theological Seminary and the Georgia State Society of Washington, D.C. The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities recently presented him its Outstanding Achievement Award for his contributions in counseling the higher education community on federal ethics law.

Nuckolls received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from UGA’s College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences in 1974 and his Juris Doctor from the UGA School of Law in 1977. An active alumnus, he has served as president of the Law School Association and on the advisory board of the Honors Program. He currently is a member of the Board of Visitors for the School of Public and International Affairs. He is a past recipient of CAES’ Alumni Award of Excellence, the J.W. Fanning Distinguished Professional Award from the college’s agricultural economics department and the Georgia 4-H Green Jacket Award. In 1987, he received the Blue Key Young Alumnus Award.

Susan Waltman

Waltman is the executive vice president for legal, regulatory and professional affairs and general counsel for the Greater New York Hospital Association, which represents the interests of 150 hospitals and health care systems across the New York region. Prior to joining GNYHA in 1987, she was general counsel for the Medical College of Pennsylvania as well as an associate in the Philadelphia office of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

Waltman serves on the boards of the UGA Foundation and the UGA Research Foundation. In addition, she is a committee member for the university’s Commit to Georgia Campaign to raise $1.2 billion.

A volunteer ambassador for UGA in the New York area, Waltman shares her insights about UGA’s commitment to excellence with fellow alumni. She also has served on the advisory boards of the university’s Honors Program and College of Public Health, where she has helped support internships, scholarships and public health outreach. She hosts UGA interns at GNYHA each summer.

Waltman graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1973 and a master’s degree in social work in 1975. She earned her Juris Doctor from Columbia University Law School in 1977.

Victor Wilson

Prior to his appointment as vice president for student affairs at UGA in 2013, Wilson served for nine years as executive vice president for student affairs at the College of Charleston. He previously was assistant to the president and associate vice president for student affairs at UGA. In addition, he held student affairs leadership positions at Agnes Scott College and Northern Arizona University. He began his career in higher education at UGA in 1983 as director of orientation and assistant director of admissions.

Wilson has written numerous articles and given presentations on issues of race, ethics, crisis management, student life and staff development in higher education. He has held leadership roles in several national organizations, including the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, the National Orientation Directors Association and Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education. He also serves on the national board of directors for Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the local board of directors for the St. Mary’s Healthcare System.

Wilson currently oversees a Student Affairs division of 18 departments and more than 600 staff members dedicated to enriching student learning and supporting student development and growth. He currently co-chairs the President’s Task Force on Student Learning and Success, which is charged with identifying opportunities to enhance the educational experience for UGA students, both inside and outside the classroom. Wilson earned his bachelor’s degree in social work and master’s degree in education from the University of Georgia in 1982 and 1987, respectively.

David Williams

Williams has served since 2004 as associate provost and director of the Honors Program, where he holds the Jere W. Morehead Distinguished Professorship. The first director also to be an alumnus of the UGA Honors Program, Williams earned an undergraduate degree as well as a master’s degree from the University of Georgia in 1979 and 1982, respectively. After receiving his doctorate and teaching at universities in Ohio, he returned to his alma mater as a faculty member in the religion department in 1989. He became department head in 2002.

Williams has published widely in the fields of biblical, Jewish and religious studies, including three books, numerous journal articles and other publications. He has received several awards and honors related to teaching at UGA, including the Richard B. Russell Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award, the Sandy Beaver Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Sandy Beaver Teaching Professorship. He also holds the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professorship, UGA’s highest honor for teaching excellence.

Williams serves as UGA’s faculty representative for nationally competitive fellowships, such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, Truman and Udall scholarships. He also oversees the student Fulbright scholarship process for UGA. Since he began serving in this capacity, nearly 250 students have been selected for these and other prestigious awards.

Matthew Crim

Crim is a cardiologist for the Piedmont Heart Institute and an assistant professor of medicine with the AU/UGA Medical Partnership. In addition to his clinical practice and teaching responsibilities, he is engaged with the development of health policy through research and administrative activities at the local and national levels, with a focus on value-based payment reforms and patient outcomes.

Crim earned a bachelor’s degree in cellular biology and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia in 2005. A Foundation Fellow, he became the first UGA student to win both a Truman Scholarship and Marshall Scholarship.

He used the Truman Scholarship to pursue his interest in health policy. Through the support of the Marshall Scholarship, he completed a master’s degree in health policy, planning and financing offered jointly by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics and Political Science, as well as a master’s degree in medical ethics and law from King’s College London.

He earned his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 2011 and completed internal medicine residency training at Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Emory University.

UGA’s Must-See Campus Upgrades: 2017 Edition

Last year, Deja White (ABJ ’17) walked you through the University of Georgia’s newest and most exciting upgrades for 2016. This year, we look to continue that tradition. Without further ado, here’s what you can look forward to seeing on your next visit back to Athens!

Campus Transit purchases electric buses

UGA has been awarded $10 million from the state of Georgia to purchase 19 electric buses. The 40-foot electric buses emit no pollution, are quieter and have lower operating costs than existing diesel powered buses. The buses should arrive on campus in late 2017 or 2018 and are part of the university’s strategic plan to advance campus sustainability.

“We tested several electric buses on campus over the past year and found that not only did they perform well, our student drivers and passengers really liked them,” said Robert Holden, associate vice president for Auxiliary Services. “By adding sustainable electric buses to our UGA fleet, we also are helping to raise the air quality in our community.”

The West End Zone Project

This one’s big. While UGA’s new $63 million West End Zone Project will not be completed until after the 2018 football season, Bulldogs still have plenty to be excited about. The project covers 120,000 total square feet of new and improved space.

These enhancements include a new home locker room for the football team, a space to host and entertain prospects on game day, improvements to restroom and concession areas below the bridge, and a new scoreboard and upper plaza.

Terry Business Learning Community Phase II

Phase Two of the Terry Business Learning Community, which just wrapped up, nearly doubles the square footage of Correll Hall. With three brand new buildings, students have a lot to look forward to this semester! Along with classrooms and labs, there will also be a graduate study, project team rooms, a career services center and a café (Au Bon Pain) for Dawgs to enjoy. Business majors (seen studying in Casey Commons in the new Amos Hall in the image above) rejoice!

Science Learning Center

The University of Georgia Science Learning Center is a 122,500-square-foot facility that provides modern, efficient and flexible space for undergraduate laboratory teaching in classes in chemistry, biology, physics, ecology, math, computer science and genetics. It includes 33 instruction labs, two 280-seat lecture halls, two 72-seat SCALE-UP (Student-Centered Active Learning Environment for Undergraduate Programs) classrooms as well as spaces for informal student collaboration.

The objective of the new ScLC is to increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and for the building’s features, paired with the University of Georgia’s dedicated instructors, to support the sciences at UGA.

Indoor Athletic Facility (IAF)

The new Indoor Athletic Facility is a dream come true for student-athletes. Not only has it helped Head Football Coach Kirby Smart (BBA ’98) to recruit potential players, it is also perfect for teams, football and otherwise, to practice in during stormy weather.

“The Indoor Athletic Facility is a testament to the tremendous loyalty, passion and excitement that our alumni and friends feel for Georgia athletics,” President Morehead said. “Working together, we are fulfilling our commitment to provide our student-athletes with the tools and resources they need to succeed at the highest levels.”

Career Center Renovation

Initially a dormitory, Clark Howell Hall houses UGA’s very own Career Center. As a vital resource for students seeking employment, this building is receiving a much-deserved makeover.

“I am proud our new career center space will now reflect the quality career services provided to UGA students and alumni, the quality education received here and the quality of our graduates ready to enter the workforce or continue their education. Students, Alumni and Employers should be excited about a fully remodeled, modern space complete with a more centrally located front desk, state-of-the-art multi-purpose room, designated employer business center and on-campus interview wing,” said Whitney Prescott, assistant director of social media and marketing/lead career consultant.

Portions of this article were originally published by UGA Today.

UGA’s Must-See Campus Upgrades

The University of Georgia is rapidly changing and the results are coming sooner than most think. After cheering on the Dawgs in Sanford this fall, head on over to these spots to see what you’ve been missing.

1. Bolton’s (photo above) lightning strike gets a little something extra

Classic Bolton – you know the one that was adorned with neon signs and a bright lightning bolt – is no more. Don’t worry! There is still an abundance of staff waiting to greet every patron with a smile, and the endless options will soon make you forget about old Bolton. The new facility boasts an upgraded sandwich line, a milkshake bar, all-day breakfast options and a beloved pasta line. After a long day of cheering on the Dawgs in Sanford, patrons can cross the Tate Plaza and find a spread of classic game day foods in Bolton’s main line – hot dogs, hamburgers and more!

Rendering of the Science Learning Center

2. Being studious has never been so exciting

The Miller Learning Center (aka the SLC/Student Learning Center for some of you), which has become a popular late night study location for students, has a new rival. Science majors are getting a little love with a brand new Science Learning Center, which will be conveniently located near Snelling and the Stegeman Coliseum. Visitors and students alike will be amazed with the facility’s technological advances, as well as its much needed Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels combination store. As UGA Food Services put it, “you can never have too many coffee options.” The new coffee shop, along with the popular bagel chain will keep the students wide awake during those late study sessions.

Ramsey Lobby

3. Hit up the gym, take a few pics and then, maybe exercise

To commemorate 20 years, UGA’s Ramsey Student Center, has just undergone a reconstruction. The project dubbed, “Ramsey Renewal,” now features a new main lobby, an updated strength and conditioning area, and renovations to the spectator’s lobby and hallways. Crowd favorites, such as the “boys” gym and “girls” gym are still intact, but there has been an addition. Ramsey now features a brand-spanking new functional training room. For now, the only way anyone can get into one of those rooms is by getting a personal trainer or attending a group fitness class. We can’t have anyone getting hurt, now can we?

Bulldog Cafe

4. More Food Options = Happier Dawgs

Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it did! UGA Food Services has decided to add numerous food options around campus. Starting in Fall 2016, your game days will get a little more exciting. There will be everything from Asian cuisine to a moving Mexican-themed food truck. Take a look below to see where the new food options will be located.

  • Bulldog Café:
    • Panda Express, the popular American chain restaurant, will now be conveniently placed in the center of student life. Students and visiting patrons, will no doubt appreciate the familiar restaurant.
    • Chik-fil-A Express will be expanding to include more menu items. Who do we have to talk to, to make sure milkshakes will be added to the new menu!?
  • Tate Student Center:
    • Starbucks (located on the third floor) will now only be a bus ride away for students and visitors! Scrambling to find the nearest Starbucks to fulfill your vanilla latte cravings will no longer be a problem.
    • Bulldog Burgers (located in the Tate Café) is a new type of burger restaurant for students on campus. 100% grass fed beef burgers and veggie burgers will be served on locally produced buns!
  • Last, but certainly not least, there will be a Mexican-themed food truck that will move daily. Customers will be updated on the truck’s location via social media.

This post written by Deja White, communications intern, and member of the Class of 2017. 


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