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Provost S. Jack Hu shares his vision for the university’s academic enterprise CAMPUS NEWS
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Georgia Museum of Art exhibition of Peter Aaron’s photos show a lost Syria Vol. 47, No. 4
August 19, 2019
www.columns.uga.edu
UGA GUIDE
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Recipients of 2019 diversity, inclusion grant funding named
Andrew Davis Tucker
Academic enhancements over the past several years include experiential learning for all undergraduate students and initiatives to reduce class sizes and promote engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Outstanding Class of 2023 Diverse incoming class continues tradition of academic excellence
By Sam Fahmy
sfahmy@uga.edu
A record 29,300 students applied for admission to the University of Georgia this fall, and 5,500 outstanding students began their classes Aug. 14. Along with stellar academic credentials, the Class of 2023 brings to the birthplace of public higher education a commitment to academic excellence. The rigor of students’ high school coursework relative to what is available at their school remains a key factor in admissions decisions, and the Class of 2023 brings an average weighted high school GPA above 4.0 and a record average of nine Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses. For comparison, the average weighted high school GPA of incoming
students was 3.91 just four years ago, and the average number of AP or IB courses was seven. The standardized test scores of incoming students continue to place UGA among the nation’s most selective public universities. The average SAT score is 1359 while the average ACT score of the incoming class is a record 31. The scores range from 29 to 33 on the ACT and 1260 to 1430 on the SAT for the middle 50%, which forms the majority of the incoming class. “The high caliber of our student body is one of the many distinguishing features of the University of Georgia,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “As we continue to enhance the learning environment and set new standards in undergraduate education, we are ensuring that each student who graduates is ready to make a
positive impact on the world.” The number of incoming students who are members of a racial or ethnic minority has risen by 14% since 2015, and one out of three students in the Class of 2023 is a member of a minority group. The Class of 2023 includes students from 43 states and more than 40 countries around the world. Eighty-two percent of incoming students are Georgia residents, and they come from 91% of Georgia counties. UGA’s nationally recognized Honors Program accepted 671 extraordinary students who boast an average weighted GPA of 4.24, an average SAT of 1505 and an average ACT of 34. Just over 1,400 transfer students began their classes at UGA this fall as well. See CLASS on page 8
INNOVATION DISTRICT INITIATIVE
Beer, Handa chosen as UGA’s first Innovation Fellows to translate their research into solutions By Michael Terrazas
michael.terrazas@uga.edu
Faculty members Jenay Beer and Hitesh Handa have been selected as UGA’s inaugural Innovation Fellows for fall 2019. Throughout the semester, the pair will receive a crash course in technology commercialization and learn how they can shape their research programs to more effectively align with industry priorities and, ultimately, serve the public’s needs. Announced by President Jere W. Morehead in his 2019 State of the University Address, the Innovation Fellows program is intended not
only to help faculty commercialize their own research but also introduce them to UGA’s broader Innovation District initiative. After their fellowships end, participants will be encouraged to serve as informal “innovation ambassadors” in their home departments. “The Innovation Fellows program is designed to help our talented faculty translate their bright ideas into solutions and products that will improve lives and communities around the world,” said Morehead. “My congratulations to Dr. Beer and Dr. Handa on receiving the inaugural fellowship. I look forward to all that they will accomplish through this
exciting program.” Beer is an assistant professor in the Institute of Gerontology, with a joint appointment in the College of Public Health and the School of Social Work. She designs assistive technologies for older adults that can help them manage life and health transitions as they age. Such technologies could include assistive robots, personal monitoring or communication systems, or other innovations. “I am so grateful for being selected as an UGA Innovation Fellow—this is an amazing opportunity,” Beer said. “The skills I See FELLOWS on page 8
Twenty-six proposals have been funded through the second round of the New Approaches to Promote Diversity and Inclusion grants program, which was announced in January 2019 by UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “This program was first introduced to encourage new initiatives that promote the recruitment, retention and success of underserved students,” said Morehead. “The response to the first round of the program was overwhelmingly positive, and I look forward to the additional gains we will make in this important area from the second round of funding.” Some of the $10,000 to $25,000
grants will go toward the development and adoption of new projects, while others will support the continuation of projects from the first round that have demonstrated the greatest promise for impact and a sustainable funding model. All of the selected programs are dedicated to serving underrepresented, underserved and first-generation students at UGA. “The New Approaches to Diversity and Inclusion proposal process has once again delivered a group of exciting and innovative projects that will continue to move us forward in promoting these
See GRANT on page 8
INNOVATION DISTRICT INITIATIVE
New Startup Mentor to champion innovation ecosystem on campus By Aaron Hale
aahale@uga.edu
As the University of Georgia continues to develop its vibrant innovation ecosystem, a new voice to inspire and consult with staff, student and faculty entrepreneurs is coming to campus. David Salyers, the co-founder of several startups and nonprofits and former marketing executive at Chick-fil-A, will be UGA’s first Startup Mentor in Residence beginning this fall. As the Startup Mentor, Salyers will act as a champion for innovation and entrepreneurship at UGA. He will speak and meet with faculty and students on campus to provide expertise, new insights
and encouragement for those looking to start new businesses and nonprofit ventures or otherwise commercialize their inventions and David Salyers ideas. “David brings a wealth of experience about starting and operating a strong business,” said Derek Eberhart, director of UGA’s Innovation Gateway. “And if you talk with him, you will learn very quickly that he is passionate about both entrepreneurship and the University of Georgia. I can think
See MENTOR on page 8
PUBLIC SERVICE AND OUTREACH
UGA Tifton to host conference on workforce development Aug. 22 By Roger Nielsen nielsen@uga.edu
Employers, educators and workforce development professionals will gain new ideas for enhancing workforce initiatives at the University of Georgia’s inaugural Innovating Georgia’s Workforce Pipeline Conference. The conference will be held Aug. 22 at the UGA Tifton campus. Hosted by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit, the event kicks off with registration and networking at 8 a.m. Conference sessions begin at 9 a.m. and run through 3:30 p.m. Registration is underway at www.cviog.uga.edu/tifton.
Tifton’s Innovating Georgia’s Workforce Pipeline features a program to help workforce professionals learn more about opportunities and challenges in rural Georgia and explore effective solutions, including the benefits of experiential learning and successful ways of building talent for small businesses. Speakers and breakout sessions will cover promising practices and emerging ideas for strengthening Georgia’s approach to talent development. The keynote speakers, Jacqueline Ponti-Lazaruk, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development chief innovation officer, and Connie ReimersHild, founder of the consulting See CONFERENCE on page 8