UGA Columns Jan. 7, 2019

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Researcher investigates spread of life-threatening bacteria in water sources RESEARCH NEWS

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January 7, 2019

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UGA GUIDE

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UGA ranks No. 1 in US for bringing new products to market

By Michael Terrazas

michael.terrazas@uga.edu

Chandler Chittom addresses the crowd during the undergraduate Commencement ceremony, held Dec. 14.

Dorothy Kozlowski

‘Profound moments’

Commencement speakers share the lessons they learned

By Krista Richmond krichmond@uga.edu

Lessons learned both inside and outside the classroom are an important part of higher education, and three speakers shared their own during the University of Georgia’s fall 2018 Commencement ceremonies, held Dec. 14.

For Chandler Chittom, who earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing and served as the student speaker for the undergraduate ceremony, some of those lessons were learned behind a mask as Hairy Dawg, the UGA Athletics mascot.

“I had some profound moments as Hairy Dawg. I saw people of different ages, races, cultures and backgrounds come together for one single purpose—to support our alma mater,” he said. “As I stood behind that mask, it occurred to me that not only is UGA Athletics bringing diverse people together,

but the university as a whole brings individuals together to make our communities, our state and our country a better place.”

The Honorable Steve C. Jones, U.S. district judge of the Northern District of Georgia, continued on that theme during his keynote address at the undergraduate Commencement ceremony.

“As long as there are problems in the world, there is a need for your involvement,” he said. “Therefore, my challenge to you is to find ways to make things better. If from your efforts, someone’s life is better, then you have taken us to the next level of excellence.”

Jones is a member of the executive committee of the University of Georgia Athletics Association board of directors and a trustee of the UGA Foundation, currently serving as secretary. He previously served as president of the UGA Alumni Association. He is a

Double Dawg, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1978 and a law degree in 1987 from UGA. “Being committed to do something does not always mean that your idea or your way is the only way of getting it done. Sometimes you will sacrifice yourself for what is best for all,” he said. “The greatest commitments come when you do not care who gets the credit or the glory.”

Internationally recognized neurobiologist and geneticist Cori Bargmann spoke about the importance of sharing those lessons during her Commencement address at the graduate ceremony.

“The secret of learning is that it increases,” she said. “If people build on each other’s discoveries, then small discoveries become big discoveries.”

Bargmann, a UGA alumna, See COMMENCEMENT on page 8

PUBLIC SERVICE AND OUTREACH

Gov.-elect Kemp addresses lawmakers during 31st Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators

By Roger Nielsen nielsen@uga.edu

Gov.-elect Brian Kemp emphasized continuity and hard work to maintain Georgia’s prosperity in his luncheon address to conclude the 31st Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators.

Members of the Georgia General Assembly convened at the University of Georgia Dec. 9­-11 for the Biennial, coordinated by UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government to help lawmakers prepare for the next legislative cycle.

More than 200 incumbent and

newly elected members of the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate attended presentations at the UGA Center for ContinuBrian Kemp ing Education & Hotel on topics such as rural development, school safety and transportation.

The three-day event culminated with Kemp’s luncheon address. In his first public policy speech since being elected

Nov. 6, Kemp said he will appoint a Georgians First Committee to provide private-sector input on ways to keep Georgia’s economy growing and will strive to promote public safety, strengthen education and expand health care— particularly in the state’s rural heartland.

“We all want what’s best for the families we serve,” he said.

“We will create a lasting legacy of success when we put hardworking Georgians first.”

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government has coordinated the Biennial Institute since its See INSTITUTE on page 8

Building on its continued growth in research and innovation, the University of Georgia ranked first among 193 U.S. institutions for the number of commercial products reaching the market in 2017, according to a survey released by AUTM, a nonprofit organization that tracks technology transfer among universities, colleges and other research institutions.

In 2017, 52 new products based on UGA research reached the market, outpacing the second-place institution (University of Michigan), which had 37. UGA also ranked

fourth among universities for the number of new intellectual property licenses to industry, its 11th consecutive year in the top 10.

“The success we are experiencing results from strategic decisions to support and encourage a wideranging culture of research and innovation that promotes economic development and helps elevate the University of Georgia to the top tier of research universities in the United States,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “We are not only expanding the research activity on campus and our ability to attract sponsored research dollars but also expanding our partnerships with

See RANKING on page 8

FRANKLIN COLLEGE

University part of $10M energy department weather, climate project

By Alan Flurry

aflurry@uga.edu

This past July, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $10 million in funding for 13 projects aimed at further enhancing one of the world’s most sophisticated computer models for understanding weather and climate patterns.

The projects will support development and analysis of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model, known as E3SM, which seeks to provide more accurate and higher-resolution representation of weather and climate events by taking advantage of the cutting-edge supercomputing facilities at DOE National Laboratories.

Among the projects, a University of Georgia-led collaboration will evaluate two promising directions in the future development

of the E3SM: The first increases the horizontal-resolution of the model to better capture intermediate- to large-scale dynamics with a single resolved scale (~25 km).

The second uses a high-resolution cloud-resolving model (~2 km) embedded within the standardresolution E3SM (~100 km) to represent cloud processes with a second resolved scale.

“Weather events that produce extreme precipitation cover a range of spatial scales from tens to thousands of kilometers and include systems from individual thunderstorms to hurricanes to massive winter storms,” said Gabriel J. Kooperman, assistant professor of geography in the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and principal investigator on one of the 13 projects. “The objectives of See FUNDING on page 8

HONORS PROGRAM

Agrawal named university’s fourth Schwarzman Scholar

By Stephanie Schupska schupska@uga.edu

The University of Georgia’s Swapnil Agrawal, a senior from Dunwoody, was one of 147 students selected internationally as a Schwarzman Scholar, a graduate fellowship designed to prepare the next generation of leaders with an understanding of China’s role in global trends.

Agrawal is UGA’s fourth Schwarzman Scholar. The incoming class was narrowed down from a pool of 2,887 candidates and is comprised of students from 38 countries and 119 universities,

with 40 percent originating from the U.S., 20 percent from China and 40 percent from the rest of the world.

T h i s Swapnil Agrawal marks the fourth group of Schwarzman Scholars since the program opened to applicants in 2015.

“The University of Georgia is very proud of Swapnil for receiving this prestigious scholarship,” said

See SCHOLAR on page 8

2 Jan. 7, 2019 columns.uga.edu TERRY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS Forecast: Economic growth for state of Georgia to outpace nation’s for sixth straight year

By Matt Weeks

mweeks@uga.edu

Georgia’s economic growth will outpace the nation’s for the sixth straight year, according to the latest forecast from the University of Georgia Terry College of Business.

Although personal income growth and existing home prices will rise, total economic growth will be less robust than in 2018, said Terry College Dean Benjamin C. Ayers at UGA’s 36th annual Georgia Economic Outlook in Atlanta.

“We predict job growth in all of Georgia’s 14 metropolitan areas and in all of the state’s major industries,” Ayers said. “Georgia will benefit from several reliable sources of growth—including an impressive economic development team, favorable demographic trends, more homebuilding and real estate development, higher defense spending, continuing fiscal stimulus from recent tax cuts and faster productivity growth.”

The forecast is based on the Georgia Economic Outlook report, prepared by the Terry College’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. The complete forecast is available for purchase at terry.uga.edu/selig.

Ayers delivered the annual forecast Dec. 6 to an audience of 600 business leaders, government officials and chamber delegates. Following the event, the Georgia Economic Outlook series will tour the state, visiting eight other cities to deliver local, state and national forecasts. The schedule and ticket information are available at terry.uga.edu/eo.

While the economic expansion is slowing down a little, the state still has bright prospects for growth in 2019 and beyond, Ayers said.

“Site consultants recently ranked Georgia as the top state in which to do business for the sixth straight year, so it is not surprising that Georgia’s economic development pipeline is full,” Ayers said. “The buildout of new headquarters is an important factor powering Georgia’s economic growth.

There are 26 companies with headquarters in Atlanta that rank in the Fortune 1000, placing Atlanta behind only New York City and Houston.”

Headwinds for the state’s economy will come from low unemployment rates, leveraged lending to non-financial businesses, rising asset prices and a large federal deficit.

But while these factors will hamper growth, they are not likely to trigger a recession in 2019, Ayers said.

“The very tight labor market will prompt faster growth in wages and salaries,” he said. “In contrast, both job growth and GDP growth will slow because it will become more difficult to fill open positions. On the plus side, we expect wage hikes to benefit lower-paid occupations that did not benefit much from the earlier stages of this economic expansion.”

The fastest-growing sector of the state’s economy will be construction, followed by education and health services, leisure and hospitality, business services, and mining and logging. No major sectors are expected to see a net loss of jobs. Overall, Georgia will benefit from a 1.5 percent rise in employment, which is just shy of its 1.7 percent gain in 2018, but still higher than the nation’s expected rate of 1.3 percent, Ayers said.

Georgia’s economy will grow 3 percent in 2019, just a half-percent lower than last year, while U.S. GDP will increase by 2.5 percent. Personal income growth in the state will grow 4.9 percent, down slightly from 5.4 percent last year, but still higher than the nation’s 4.5 percent increase for 2019.

“Homebuilding and real estate development will be a driver of Georgia’s growth,” Ayers said. “Although existing home sales have peaked, sales of new homes and new home construction will move higher in 2019. That is especially positive because new home construction and new home sales contribute substantially more to the state’s GDP than sales of existing homes. Job growth, improving demographics and the limited supply of older homes will boost new home construction by 9 percent.”

Trade tensions, however, could limit the state’s growth.

“Georgia is the nation’s 11th-largest export state and seventh-largest import state,” Ayers said. “We have a substantial transportation, distribution and logistics industry focused on international trade.

“Georgia’s large manufacturing and agriculture industries also depend heavily on easy access to global markets,” he also said. “That means Georgia is extremely vulnerable to any major step back from globalization. But more favorable trade terms, like those we’ve seen with NAFTA, could boost our exports and enhance the prospects for our transportation and logistics industry.”

Overall, both the state and nation will enjoy positive economies throughout 2019, he said.

“Absent a full-blown trade war, the risk of a 2019 recession is low,” Ayers said. “And if we can avoid a major shock or policy mistakes, the current expansion could continue for some time.”

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

More than 500 employees take part in Holiday Staff Appreciation

By Krista Richmond krichmond@uga.edu

All was merry and bright at the Holiday Staff Appreciation Reception, held Dec. 18 in Tate Grand Hall.

The event, hosted by the Office of the President, celebrated the spirit of the holiday season while showing appreciation for the diligent work of staff members during 2018.

“The end of the year is a time to reflect on how much we have accomplished, and much of that is because of the hard work of our staff members,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “We are grateful for everything the staff does to continue moving this great institution forward.”

Shawn Lanphere, an administrative associate in the School of Law, enjoyed having a few minutes to relax with her colleagues.

“It’s very inspiring,” she said. “Usually it’s a stressful time for people, coming up to the holidays. Everybody’s worried about family, travel and everything else, and this takes your mind off the stresses. You get the feeling of being appreciated.”

More than 500 staff members attended the reception. Another highlight was the opportunity to cheer on the men’s basketball team as they defeated Oakland, 81-69. UGA Athletics provided the complimentary tickets on a first-come, first-served basis.

“My husband is a huge basketball fan, so for the university to provide tickets to a really cool game definitely makes me feel appreciated,” said Maggie Fitzsimmons, coordinator for facilities in Recreational Sports.

The basketball game also was a draw for James Addison, assistive technology lab technician in the Disability Resource Center, who for the first time attended a staff appreciation event.

Peter Frey

Brenda Robbins from the Science Library takes a selfie with Hairy Dawg during the Holiday Staff Appreciation Reception.

Peter Frey

James Addison, who works in the Disability Resource Center, decorates a cookie.

“It shows camaraderie and friendship,” he said. “It’s a good place to work, and you feel like you belong.”

Fitzsimmons agreed.

“It’s nice to branch out and see people from different departments and interact with people we don’t get to on a daily basis,” she said.

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL DIVERSITY

By Leigh Beeson

Tiffany Cochran Edwards, national brand manager and public relations manager for The Cochran Firm, will give the keynote address at the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Freedom Breakfast.

The Freedom Breakfast honors the legacy of the TIffany Edwards late civil rights leader and recognizes community members dedicated to contributing to race relations, justice and human rights with the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award.

Edwards spent 17 years as a news anchor, 10 of those in the Atlanta area, before she transitioned to public relations. In addition to leading PR efforts at The Cochran Firm, her work supports the Johnnie L. Cochran Jr. Brain Tumor Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The center is named for her late father, the legendary attorney who passed from a brain tumor in 2005. Edwards has dedicated her life to continuing her father’s legacy both in law and in philanthropic endeavors. Edwards lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter.

The Freedom Breakfast will be held Jan. 18 at 8 a.m. in the Grand Hall of the Tate Student Center. Tickets are $25 each or $200 for a table of eight and are on sale online at https://bit.ly/2QbcH9S. Tickets will not be sold the day of the event. Those interested in purchasing a table should email Sonya SinkfieldDixon at diverse@uga.edu.

Journalist and broadcaster to deliver 2019 Holmes-Hunter Lecture Feb. 7 at the Chapel lbeeson@uga.edu

Editor’s note: The version of this story published in the Dec. 3 Columns listed the wrong date for the Holmes-Hunter Lecture.

Veteran television journalist and broadcaster Monica Kaufman Pearson, the first African American to anchor an Atlanta-area evening newscast, will present the 2019 Holmes-Hunter Lecture Feb. 7 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel.

Named in honor of Charlayne Hunter-Gault and Hamilton Holmes, the first African American students to attend the University of Georgia, the lecture is sponsored by the Office of the President and focuses on race relations, civil rights and Monica Pearson education. It has been held annually since 1985.

Before coming to Atlanta, Pearson worked as a newspaper reporter for The Louisville Times, a public relations professional, and a reporter and anchor at Louisville’s WHAS-TV. When she debuted on WSBTV in 1975, she became Atlanta’s first woman and first minority to anchor daily news programs. She also profiled national celebrities and world leaders in her long-running “Close-Ups” series. Her reporting resulted in more than 30 local and regional Emmy awards along with other notable honors, including being named one of UGA’s Distinguished Alumni in 2018. Her commitment to giving back endeared her to the Atlanta community.

With almost 40 years as WSB-TV’s Channel 2 Action News anchor, Pearson retired in 2012 and now hosts a weekly radio show on KISS 104.1 FM. During her retirement, she obtained a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication magna cum laude from the University of Georgia and has since lectured at UGA, along with other colleges across the state.

Pearson is also known for her work in the public school system and for her dedication to bettering the next generation of students.

UGA is partnering with the Clarke County School District to bring students to the UGA campus to hear Pearson speak.

Edwards to give Freedom Breakfast keynote address

RESEARCH NEWS

columns.uga.edu Jan. 7, 2019

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Digest CAES to host Georgia Ag Forecast meetings from Jan. 22 to Feb. 1

GREAT COMMITMENTS

Safer waters

Jonathan Lee

Erin Lipp, professor of environmental health science in the College of Public Health, tracks the level of pathogens in water sources.

Researcher tackles spread of life-threatening bacteria

By Leigh Beeson lbeeson@uga.edu

Five deaths. Almost 100 hospitalizations. And more than 200 people infected.

Spanning over three months and stretching across 36 states, the 2018 outbreak of E. coli was the largest of its kind in more than a decade.

Tainted lettuce was eventually blamed for the outbreak. But it was really an issue of tainted water.

The bacteria had somehow made its way into the canal that irrigated the soon-to-be-sold romaine lettuce.

University of Georgia’s Erin Lipp is tracking what’s becoming a growing problem of dangerous levels of pathogens finding their way into water sources. Quickly determining which bodies of water are contaminated and what products are tainted can mean the difference between a handful of people becoming ill and hundreds.

“We’ve been seeing an increase in outbreaks of bacteria like E. coli and salmonella in fresh produce over the last several years,” said Lipp, a professor of environmental health science in UGA’s College of Public Health. “We tend to think of these pathogens as causing foodborne disease, but in many cases it is ultimately the water that is the real source. And access to clean water and being able to properly clean our water is one of the most fundamental aspects to having a healthy population.”

Wa t e r b o r n e e x p o s u r e t o

disease-causing bacteria isn’t a new phenomenon, but as sea temperatures rise and extreme weather events become less predictable, it is becoming more frequent.

“We see big changes in water quality when we have these very high-intensity precipitation events,” Lipp said. “We’ll get massive runoff of contaminants— very high levels of salmonella and E. coli, for example—that will go from numbers that are relatively reasonable up by 100fold in a relatively short period of time.”

The life-threatening bacteria vibrio—which has several strains that can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, loss of limbs or even death—is one that’s making the most of the warmer temperatures. The most notable species of vibrio causes cholera; another causes necrotizing fasciitis (commonly referred to as “flesh-eating bacteria”).

“Vibrio probably has the most direct link to climate change that we’ve been able to confirm,” said Lipp. “These organisms simply divide quickly at warm temperatures, and the warmer the water is, the faster they divide. They can go from not being a particularly high level to what would be an infectious dose in a very small amount of time.”

The bacteria’s range is also spreading, both in terms of latitude and seasons. There’ve been outbreaks in New England and as far north as Alaska, something that was previously unheard of. And instead of being confined mainly to the summer, outbreaks are expanding into late spring and early fall

while the waters are still warm.

But vibrio isn’t the only bacterium that thrives in the heat. Salmonella also peaks during the warmest part of the year.

“The take-home message is that we are entering a riskier time,” said Lipp, who participated in the U.S. National Assessment on Climate Change and Health in 2009. “It may not always translate into more people getting sick, but the risk of contracting something is increasing.”

Addressing the proliferation of bacteria is a complicated task, mainly because at least some bacteria is spread by wildlife.

“When the source is from humans and it’s a septic tank or wastewater treatment plant that is contaminating the water, we know what we can do: we start addressing infrastructure issues,” Lipp said. “When contamination is coming from wildlife, it gets more difficult to address because you can’t stop these animals from being in a certain location.”

That’s where research like Lipp’s really comes in handy. By tracking bacteria in water supplies and pinpointing animals that may be carriers, public health officials can minimize the public’s risk of exposure.

Editor’s note: This story is part of the Great Commitments series, which focuses on cutting-edge research happening on UGA campuses. Read more about UGA’s commitment to research that changes lives at greatcommitments.uga.edu.

COLLEGE OF FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES

Study links cottonseed oil with lower cholesterol

By Cal Powell

jcpowell@uga.edu

Researchers at the University of Georgia have found that a high-fat diet enriched with cottonseed oil drastically improved cholesterol profiles in young adult men.

The researchers conducted a five-day outpatient feeding trial of 15 healthy, normal weight men to test the effects of diets enriched with cottonseed oil and olive oil on lipid profiles.

Participants showed significant reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides in the cottonseed oil trial compared to minimal changes on the olive oilenriched diet.

The results appear in the journal Nutrition Research.

“One of the reasons these results were so surprising is because of the magnitude of change observed with the cottonseed oil diet,” said Jamie Cooper, an associate professor in the UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences’ department of foods and nutrition and the corresponding author of the journal article.

The subjects, all healthy men between the ages of 18 and 45, were provided high-fat meals for five days in two separate, tightly controlled trials, the only difference being the use of either cottonseed oil or olive oil in the meals.

Participants showed an average decrease of 8 percent in total cholesterol on the cottonseed oil diet, along with a 15 percent decrease in low-density lipoprotein, or LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) and a 30 percent decrease in triglycerides. This diet also increased high-density lipoproteins, or HDL (the “good” cholesterol) by 8 percent.

Researchers suggested a fatty acid unique to cottonseed oil, dihydrosterculic acid, may help prevent the accumulation of triglycerides, a type of fat, in the body.

Researchers plan to expand the study to include older adults with high cholesterol as well as a longer feeding intervention.

Sam Pardue, dean of the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will serve as the keynote speaker at the upcoming Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series set for Jan. 22-Feb. 1. The annual meetings allow UGA agricultural economists to address Georgia’s farmers, lenders and agribusiness leaders about the latest trends and economic conditions in Georgia’s No. 1 industry: agriculture.

At the seminar’s six locations across the state—Bainbridge, Carrollton, Lyons, Macon, Tifton and Watkinsville—Pardue will discuss how CAES works with Georgia’s agricultural leaders and how the college works to help solve the issues facing rural Georgia.

CAES hosts the Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series every year. Economists from the UGA Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development and the college’s agricultural and applied economics department will present the economic outlook for Georgia’s producers with an emphasis on Georgia’s major commodities.

The Georgia Ag Forecast seminar series is presented by UGA CAES and the Georgia Department of Agriculture. For more information on the 2019 Georgia Ag Forecast series or to register, visit georgiaagforecast.com or search for #gaagforecast on social media.

Senior named UGA’s first recipient of Paycom Jim Thorpe Award

Georgia senior Deandre Baker is the first Bulldog to win the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back.

In addition, Baker was included on the 2018 Walter Camp All-America Team, giving the Bulldogs two players on the First Team in as many years (Roquan Smith, 2017). Baker becomes the first Georgia All-American from the defensive backfield since Bacarri Rambo in 2011 and the first Georgia defensive back to receive the Walter Camp designation since Greg Blue and Thomas Davis garnered the honor back to back in 2004-05.

In addition, sophomore left tackle Andrew Thomas earned Walter Camp Second-Team AllAmerica honors after being named a Freshman All-American by several outlets in 2017.

Baker will be honored Feb. 5 at a Thorpe Award banquet in Oklahoma City.

UGA alumna to serve as Cox Institute’s 2019 Industry Fellow in Grady College

Amy Glennon, a former publisher with Cox Media Group, will serve as an Industry Fellow with the James M. Cox Jr. Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership during the spring 2019 semester.

Glennon, a 1990 graduate of the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, was publisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and later publisher of Cox Media Group’s Vertical Businesses, a portfolio of pure-play digital content sites that included DawgNation.com, several national sports sites, a national Hispanic news and entertainment site, as well as a lifestyle e-commerce site devoted to Southern cooking and entertaining.

As the Cox Institute’s Industry Fellow, Glennon will be a training resource for students taking the Managing News Organizations course and will present several lectures for the students, four of which will be open to other students, faculty and members of the UGA community.

Glennon’s open Industry Fellow lectures for 2019 will be held in the Grady College’s Peyton Anderson Forum at 2 p.m. on Jan. 31, March 5 and 21 and April 9.

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RESEARCH NEWS

CAES

Grant to help researchers study how plants interact with their microbiomes

By J. Merritt Melancon jmerritt@uga.edu

While many people know that the microbes in our guts are an important part of our health, many are unaware that microbes are just as important to our crops.

Different microbes can help plants acquire nutrients, fend off pests and disease, and produce higher yields, but we know very little about how these partnerships work. University of Georgia researchers are working to understand these partnerships so that they can be used to breed better, more sustainable crops.

A team of researchers at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences has received a $1.35 million grant from the National Science Foundation to better understand how plants interact with their microbiomes.

“Just like people, plants host trillions of microbes that live on, around and inside them,” said principal investigator Jason Wallace, a CAES professor of crop and soil sciences. “Some of these cause disease but many are beneficial, helping the plant thrive in harsh conditions, but we don’t know how this interaction works. Learning how a plant’s microbes make it more resilient could be an important key to developing more sustainable and stress-tolerant crops in the future.”

Wallace’s team is focusing on a grass called tall fescue, which has been grown for animal feed for more than 70 years and covers 40 million acres across the U.S. While breeding more water-efficient fescue has been a goal of plant breeders for decades, UGA geneticists are taking a new approach. They are investigating how the grass interacts with symbiotic fungi, which has been found to fortify it against heat and drought stress.

Some types of tall fescue have a fungus, Epichloe coenophiala, living inside them, which helps the plant survive drought, heat and disease. It also helps the grass fend off insects and predators.

Ironically, this partnership was discovered because the fungus usually produces toxic chemicals, ergot alkaloids, that make cattle sick. UGA was instrumental in breeding the first commercial varieties with toxin-free strains in the 1990s.

Wallace’s team will be working with fescue that contains the fungus to understand how such a beneficial partnership works, including how the plant and fungus communicate with each other and how their interaction leads to higher stress tolerance in the plant.

The hope is that understanding this system will show how similarly strong, beneficial partnerships can be made in other crops to boost agricultural production and sustainability.

Wallace is partnering with Carolyn Young, an associate professor at the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to carry out this research.

To complete this work, Wallace, Young and their research teams will analyze thousands of fescue plants to find how the plant influences fungal growth and toxin production. They will also investigate how the plant forms relationships with new varieties of fungus, such as ones that do not produce toxins, and how the fungus helps the plant survive under heat stress that would normally kill it.

In addition to the work with fescue, Wallace and Young will assist middle and high school teachers in developing hands-on teaching projects related to these topics that they can implement in their own classrooms. This will give students a better understanding of plant-microbe partnerships and the ways that microbes impact the larger ecosystem.

The grant period will run from 2019 through 2022.

Elena Karahanna, professor of management information systems in the Terry College of Business, studies how work-related communications off the clock affect employees.

Peter Frey

Life interrupted

Study determines that after-hours communications about work can lead to burnout, stress

By Matt Weeks

mweeks@uga.edu

Communications after work can lead to burnout and stress, especially if it comes from a phone call, according to new research from the University of Georgia. The researchers found that emails, phone calls and text messages have different consequences for employees.

“The technology you use matters,” said Elena Karahanna, professor of management information systems in UGA’s Terry College of Business and co-author of a new paper published in MIS Quarterly that examines for the first time how different forms of communications technology affect employees when they are off the clock.

“We found that email interruptions allow workers to be in control of when they can respond,” said Karahanna.

“They can find an opportunity when it’s least disruptive to their personal lives.

That kind of interruption has almost no negative effects.”

But when employees feel they have no control over the timing of the interruption, as with a phone call, the psychological transition and personal life fragmentation are more acute.

“Unlike email, the synchronous or near-synchronous nature of calls

and texts has a lot of negative consequences,” Karahanna said. “Phone calls have the largest effect on feeling exhausted at work and at home. The effects of text messaging are not quite as negative as phone calls but worse than email.

“These interruptions into our personal lives—the texts, emails or phone calls that come from work after hours—take a toll on us,” she said.

“Thinking about the costs led us to study this issue.”

The researchers found that workrelated interruptions after hours affect employees through three mechanisms: interruption overload, psychological transition and task closure.

At first, work-related interruptions may not be problematic. But as those interruptions build up, negative outcomes start to manifest. Stress builds.

Good will and cheery moods fade away.

Burnout ensues. The work-life balance becomes tenuous.

“The issue arises when the number of interruptions grows so large that it depletes our spare time and energy,” Karahanna said. “When this happens, you’re tapping into critical reserves that you need in order to function well and to meet the responsibilities of your personal life.”

In part that’s because the

psychological transition that employees must perform to switch in and out of “work mode” is mentally draining.

“When you are at dinner or your child’s ballgame and you get a phone call from work, you have to move into work mode,” Karahanna said. “Once the interruption ends, you have to transition back into your personal life.

These transitions can cause ruminative thoughts about work to linger. When you’re preoccupied with work, your personal time feels more fragmented and invaded. You feel as though you’re always on, and that leads to exhaustion.”

Not all interruptions are bad, however. Some can put a preoccupation to rest—a concept the researchers called task closure.

“When interruptions that bring closure happen outside of work hours, like getting a call that the last thing to finish a big project got done, that’s a good thing. Then you can end your preoccupation and focus on your personal life,” Karahanna said.

The paper, “Life Interrupted: The Effects of Technology-Mediated Work Interruptions on Work and Nonwork Outcomes,” was co-authored by Adela Chen, an assistant professor of computer information system at Colorado State University and a Ph.D. graduate of the University of Georgia.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND OUTREACH

Callaway Foundation gift to make Botanical Garden more accessible

By Kelly Simmons

simmonsk@uga.edu

A $1 million gift from the Callaway Foundation will fund a new visitor entrance to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia, enhancing access to the galleries, classrooms, collections and displays.

The new entrance will be an official gateway to the garden from the parking lots to the Alice Hand Callaway Visitor Center and Conservatory and will include an elevator, which will improve access for individuals in wheelchairs, pushing strollers or who have difficulty maneuvering stairs. Alice Hand Callaway was the daughter of Fuller

E. Callaway Jr., who established the foundation in 1943.

“The Callaway Foundation is pleased to be a part of this effort to improve the experience for visitors to the garden,” said Speer Burdette, president of the Callaway Foundation Inc. “Mrs. Callaway loved flowers and plants, and especially the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Her wish would be that every Georgian could experience the beauty of the garden and discover the many ways it benefits the state, through education and conservation.”

About 230,000 people visit the State Botanical Garden each year, and Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, believes that number will increase by about 50,000 once the Alice H. Richards Children’s Garden is completed later this year. From the

new entrance, visitors would be able to see the children’s garden as they wait for the elevator.

“This will truly be a game changer for many visitors to the garden, who often come with young children and grandparents,” said Cruse-Sanders. “We are so grateful to the Callaway Foundation for its longtime support and for continuing to help us make the garden a destination for visitors from across the state.”

Construction of the garden entrance is expected to begin in 2019. The total cost of the project is $2.01 million.

The Callaway Foundation Inc., based in LaGrange, is a private foundation that supports the charitable, religious and educational efforts of nonprofit organizations.

UGAGUIDE

columns.uga.edu Jan. 7, 2019

For a complete listing of events, check the Master Calendar on the Web (calendar.uga.edu/­).

The following events are open to the public, unless otherwise specified. Dates, times and locations may change without advance notice.

EXHIBITIONS

Ted Kincaid: Even If I Lose Everything.

Through Jan. 13. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. hazbrown@uga.edu.

(See story, bottom right.)

Richard Hunt: Synthesis. Through Feb. 3. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. gmoa@uga.edu.

Put a Bird on It. Through March 3.

Visitor Center, State Botanical Garden. connicot@uga.edu.

The Reluctant Autocrat: Tsar Nicholas II. Through March 17. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. gmoa@uga.edu.

Fighting Spirit: Wally Butts and UGA Football, 1939-1950. Through May 10.

Rotunda, special collections libraries.

706-542-8079. jclevela@uga.edu.

Out of the Darkness: Light in the Depths of the Sea of Cortez. Through Oct. 27.

Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-1817. hazbrown@uga.edu.

MONDAY, JAN. 7 ORIENTATION AND ADVISEMENT For spring semester.

four-part series of studio-based courses focused on the human figure. Sessions are designed to be equally engaging for beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. The sessions will draw inspiration from the museum’s collection, including works from the archives and many not currently on display. The cost of the course is a $15 materials fee, which will cover all necessary supplies for the four sessions. Space is limited; call 706-543-0111 or email callan@uga.edu to register.

6:30 p.m. Georgia Museum of Art.

FRIDAY, JAN. 11 FRIENDS FIRST FRIDAY Speaker Lauren Muller, who once worked at the State Botanical Garden, is now the coordinator for the Northeast Georgia Invasive Plant Cooperative, which supports invasive control and management in Athens and the five surrounding counties through education/outreach, organizing restoration workshops and providing tools to the community. $12. 9 a.m. Visitor Center,

Gardenside Room, State Botanical Garden. 706-542-6138. lpbryant@uga.edu.

MORNING MINDFULNESS The Georgia Museum of Art invites participants into the galleries to take part in free guided mindfulness meditation sessions. Held every other Friday during the school year, sessions include a variety of instructor-led meditation, movement and mindfulness techniques.

No experience or special clothing is necessary. Meditation pillows or stools are provided. Reservations are encouraged; contact 706-542-8863 or sagekincaid@uga.edu. 9:30 a.m.

Georgia Museum of Art. ARTIST TALK: TED KINCAID Texas-based artist Ted Kincaid will discuss his work in a talk titled “Stranger than Non-Fiction.” Kincaid’s work is on view through Jan. 13 in the exhibition Ted Kincaid: Even If I Lose Everything.

2 p.m. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. hazbrown@uga.edu.

(See story, bottom right.)

AUSTRALIA’S GRAVITY & OTHER MYTHS COMING TO ATHENS

SATURDAY, JAN. 12

FAMILY DAY: RUSSIAN EMBROIDERY Explore the elaborate costumes and uniforms worn by children and adults in 18th-century Russia in the exhibition The Reluctant Autocrat: Tsar Nicholas II. After exploring the galleries, create a gold-embroidered treasure in the Michael and Mary Erlanger Studio Classroom. 10 a.m. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. hazbrown@uga.edu.

SWIMMING & DIVING vs. Texas. 10 a.m. Gabrielsen Natatorium, Ramsey Student Center.

SUNDAY, JAN. 13 SUNDAY SPOTLIGHT TOUR Tour of the permanent collection led by docents. 3 p.m. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. hazbrown@uga.edu.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Tennessee. $5. 3 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

5

COMING UP

MEN’S BASKETBALL Jan. 15. vs. Kentucky. $15. 7 p.m.

Stegeman Coliseum.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LECTURE SERIES Jan. 16. A Charlotte, North Carolina native, Mohamed Massaquoi was the second round pick for the Cleveland Browns in the 2009 NFL draft. He earned his Bachelor of Science in psychology from the University of Georgia where he was named the 2008 team captain, selected as a first-team AllSoutheastern Conference and Academic All-SEC member, and received the Leon Farmer Award. In spring 2017, Massaquoi was involved in an ATV accident that resulted in the amputation of four fingers. Since retiring from the NFL, he has worked as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley and is currently a speaker and advocate for fitness, athletes in business and amputee causes.

5 p.m. 271 special collections libraries.

706-542-7990. adavis@uga.edu.

ONE-MAN SHOW TACKLES THE SKY

MEN’S SWIMMING & DIVING vs. Harvard. Noon. Gabrielsen Natatorium, Ramsey Student Center.

TUESDAY, JAN. 8 REGISTRATION For spring semester.

WORKSHOP After a quick introduction to the interface, “eLC Quick Start” will cover eLC logistics such as how students, instructors and teaching assistants are added to courses; how and when users can access their courses; and where to find supporting documents.

Participants will then step through the features of the My Home page and popular tools including email and announcements. Time will be provided for participants to work on their own courses and ask questions. 10 a.m.

372 Miller Learning Center.

706-542-2160. alampp@uga.edu.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 9 SPRING SEMESTER DROP/ADD Through Jan. 15. For undergraduateand graduate-level courses.

CLASSES BEGIN For spring semester.

TOUR AT TWO Tour of the permanent collection led by docents. 2 p.m. Georgia Museum of Art. 706-542-4662. hazbrown@uga.edu.

MEN’S BASKETBALL vs. Vanderbilt. $15. 6:30 p.m. Stegeman Coliseum.

THURSDAY, JAN. 10 STUDIO WORKSHOP Teaching artist Phil Jasen will lead a

An exhibition of Ted Kincaid’s work, including “Cloud 101516,” above, can be seen at the Georgia Museum of Art through Jan. 13.

By Penske McCormack

katelyn.mccormack25@uga.edu Gravity & Other Myths brings acrobats and music together in its Jan. 10 performance.

By Bobby Tyler btyler@uga.edu

UGA Presents is bringing Australia’s Gravity & Other Myths to Athens Jan. 10 for a 7:30 p.m. show in Hodgson Concert Hall. The acrobatic ensemble will perform its internationally acclaimed work titled “A Simple Space.”

Formed in 2009 in Adelaide, South Australia, Gravity & Other Myths is an award-winning troupe that has toured extensively throughout the world. The company eschews traditional circus models in favor of a more dynamic and raw acrobatic physical theater that directly connects the performers with the audience. The acrobats are accompanied by an onstage musician providing a high-energy soundtrack.

“A Simple Space” premiered at the Adelaide Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe festivals in 2013 and has now toured to 14 countries on six continents. The production has won a multitude of awards including Zurich’s 2016 Theater Spektakel Audience Prize, the 2015 Australian Dance Award for Best Physical Theatre and Best Circus at Adelaide Fringe 2014.

Tickets for “A Simple Space” can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center box office, online at pac.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400.

Tickets start at $30 with a limited number of stage seats available for $20. Discounted tickets are available to current UGA students for $10 with a valid UGA ID (limit one ticket per student).

Patrons are invited to make it an evening with a tour and free dessert at the Georgia Museum of Art at 5:30 p.m.

Hodgson Concert Hall is located in the UGA Performing Arts Center at 230 River Road in Athens.

Calendar items are taken from Columns files and from the university’s Master Calendar, maintained by Marketing & Communications. Notices are published as space permits, with priority given to items of multidisciplinary interest. The Master Calendar is available at calendar.uga.edu/.

The exhibition Ted Kincaid: Even If I Lose Everything will be on view at the Georgia Museum of Art through Jan. 13.

As an undergraduate student, Kincaid disabled the light meter on his Polaroid camera. A longer shutter speed let him capture time in motion instead of static images. Kincaid has since focused his artistic practice on the exploration and exploitation of photography’s tug-of-war between reality and artistic truth. He uses digital media both to create manufactured “photographs” and to deconstruct and radically reorder segments of photographs into pure color and form. This second process forges the focus of Kincaid’s first solo museum exhibition.

Ted Kincaid: Even If I Lose Everything features a series of abstracted skyscapes. Kincaid digitally dissects photographs (both his own and those by other artists) of skies, using their colors, forms and shapes to reinterpret and reconstruct reality. The name of the exhibition stems from Kincaid’s thought that “memory, as time progresses, tends to, bit by bit, be replaced by memories of the memory, rather than fact. At some point, many of our memories become entirely a new construct.” The result is a placid, but potent, meditation on the subjectivity of memory.

The fact that Kincaid’s exhibition links inner worlds to skies and clouds is no anomaly. Romantic painters’ ideal of the sublime merged fantasy and reality in the 19th century. Although these artists often painted landscapes or figures rooted in physical existence, they depicted their subject matter through the lens of personal experience. Within their works, clouds evoked ideas of divinity, emotion and transcendental experience.

This effect is at the core of Kincaid’s work, according to William U. Eiland, Georgia Museum of Art director and curator of the exhibition.

“In Ted Kincaid’s studies of clouds, we find intense interest, not only in various scientific phenomena associated with them, but also in a novel and technically challenging means by which to present them,” Eiland said.

TO SUBMIT A LISTING FOR THE MASTER CALENDAR AND COLUMNS Post event information first to the Master Calendar website (calendar.uga.edu/). Listings for Columns are taken from the Master Calendar 12 days before the publication date. Events not posted by then may not be printed in Columns.

Any additional information about the event may be sent directly to Columns. Email is preferred (columns@uga. edu), but materials can be mailed to Columns, Marketing & Communications, 286 Oconee Street, Suite 200 North, Campus Mail 1999.

NEXT COLUMNS DEADLINES Jan. 9 (for Jan. 22 issue) Jan. 16 (for Jan. 28 issue) Jan. 23 (for Feb. 4 issue)

6 Jan. 7, 2019 columns.uga.edu

FACULTY PROFILE

Earlier bloomer

Patricia Yager, a professor in the marine sciences department at the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted in Health Medicine Network about phytoplankton blooms expanding northward.

A new study based on satellite imagery of ocean color reveals phytoplankton spring blooms in the Arctic Ocean, which were previously nonexistent, are expanding northward at a rate of one degree of latitude per decade. The decline in Arctic sea ice over the past several decades has made way for areas of open water where phytoplankton can thrive, driving their expansion northward. Phytoplankton are microscopic organisms that live in water, consume carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis.

They form the base of the marine food web, indirectly feeding everything from fishes to whales. The researchers are unsure what effect this expansion will have on the food web.

Yager said the earlier algal bloom growth observed in some areas could have considerable impacts if animals are not yet ready to graze on the phytoplankton.

“Such a mismatch in time could cause major changes to the Arctic food web, impacting not only the local animals and the people who live there, but also the global population of migrating animals who depend on these Arctic resources,” said Yager, who was not involved in the study. “What happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic.”

City limits

Stephen Mihm, an associate professor in the history department of the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted by Axios about families migrating out of cities.

According to the news and information website, American cities are becoming more and more unfriendly to families, and new parents are fleeing for the exurbs, where housing is more affordable and schools are better. Cities are increasingly dominated by wealthy, childless residents. The number of residents age 20 and younger has fallen over the last four decades in nearly every big city in the country. The high cost of living within cities affects parents’ ability to pay for schooling. Cities have become barbells, with young, affluent and single people on one end and wealthy empty-nesters on the other. Urban populations are constantly rotating as families move out and make way for newly minted graduates who have disposable income to spend in bars and shops—and drive gentrification.

“You’re seeing [declining birth rates] in the most extreme form in cities,” said Mihm, who is an economic historian. “It’s a window into a larger demographic trend where kids are few and far between. Historically, cities have a hard time surviving, and much less thriving, if they must constantly replenish their populations from outside.”

Farmers market fear

Judy Harrison, a professor and extension foods specialist in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, was quoted in Yahoo Finance about food safety at farmers markets.

There are more than 8,700 farmers markets registered in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farmers Market Directory. While there are good reasons to purchase the locally grown foods, research suggests that fresh and local doesn’t always mean it’s safe to eat. A Penn State University study found that many vendors at more than 40 Pennsylvania farmers markets didn’t follow basic sanitary practices.

“A lot of people assume that because a food is produced locally it’s safer, but that’s not the case at all—it comes down to what kind of food safety practices the vendor uses,” said Harrison, who was not involved in the study.

Alexander Scherr, associate professor in the School of Law, will receive the 2019 William Pincus Award this month.

Dorothy Kozlowski

Faculty member helps develop clinical programs, experiential learning courses

By Lona Panter lonap@uga.edu

Associate professor Alexander W. Scherr has made his mark on the world in several ways—whether for exceptional contributions to clinical legal education or for participating in the Favorite Poems Project as one of only 50 people to have a video of his reading and discussing his favorite poem archived in the Library of Congress.

This month, Scherr will receive the pre-eminent national award in clinical education: the 2019 William Pincus Award for Outstanding Service and Commitment to Clinical Legal Education. This honor recognizes individuals or institutions for service, scholarship, program design and implementation, or any other activity beneficial to clinical education or to the advancement of justice.

“I’m extremely gratified by the award,” he said.“It is solid recognition for a lot of hard work over several decades.”

Scherr is the director of the School of Law’s Veterans Legal Clinic and formerly its associate dean for clinical programs and experiential learning.

Since arriving in Athens in 1996, he has been instrumental in developing the law school’s robust clinic and externship courses, which teach students about law and lawyering through work on real problems in the real world. He also has served as an advocate and consultant for clinical legal education nationally, and he has played an active role in reforming the American Bar Association’s standards for externship courses.

Scherr became interested in working in academia after serving as a visiting law professor in New England for the 1995-96 academic year. That was when he realized professorial life was the path for him.

“I had been a teacher, lawyer and mediator for over a decade in my home state of Vermont,” he said,“but I had never really thought about shifting my career to law teaching until this came up.”

Shortly thereafter, Scherr found his way to the UGA School of Law, which was then hiring a director of civil clinics.

At that time, the law school’s clinics were primarily in the criminal justice arena, and the school was seeking to expand its offerings. The school’s faculty contemplated the creation of a series of

FACTS

Alexander W. Scherr Associate Professor and Veterans Legal Clinic Director School of Law B.A., Yale University J.D., University of Michigan School of Law At UGA: 22 years

smaller-scale, topically focused clinical programs that would expand the range of real-world practice opportunities into the civil law arena.

Scherr first taught the school’s Public Interest Practicum, a counseling clinic in which students meet and give legal advice to people who cannot afford lawyers.

Scherr also created the Civil Externship course, offering students the chance to work for credit with judges, nonprofits and government agencies in northeast Georgia. For the next two decades, he helped the school to expand its clinic and externship courses.

“You really do feel as if you’re making a difference,both for immediate crises and for longer-term needs,” he said.

RETIREES

November

Nine UGA employees retired Oct. 31.

Retirees, their job classification, department and years of service are: Sharon E. Bush, chief medical technologist, pathology, 10 years, 9 months; Tanya L. Cooper, lab animal health technician II, Office of Research, 28 years, 9 months; Laura D. Dreesen, veterinary care supervisor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 29 years, 2 months; Thomas P. Hill, electrical shop manager, Facilities Management Division-Operations and MaintenanceElectrical Shop, 30 years, 3 months; Gabrielle A. Mason, administrative specialist II, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, 21 years, 3 months; James P. Noe, associate professor, plant pathology, 31 years, 3 months; Linda G. Peck, human resources specialist II, housing administration, 24 years, 1 month; Adele B. Shiver, administrative specialist I, Office of the Associate Dean for Extension, 35 years, 9 months; and Joanne A. Sorrow, senior associate director, Office of Student Financial Aid, 27 years, 8 months.

December

Twenty-one UGA employees retired

Nov. 30. Retirees, their job classification, department and years of service are: Roxanne Allen, county extension program assistant, UGA Cooperative Extension-Southwest District, 26 years; Terence J. Centner, professor, agricultural and applied economics, 36 years, 4 months; JoEllen Childers, instructional technology development professional specialist, School of Law, 20 years, 2 months; Jerry W. Davis, research statistician, experimental statistics-Griffin, 33 years, 3 months; Edward G. Head Jr., library associate II, libraries-general operations, 39 years, 1 month; Ray Jackson Hicks Jr., public service associate, UGA Cooperative Extension-Southeast District, 18 years, 6 months; Donna Lloyd-Whitney, county extension program assistant, UGA Cooperative Extension-Southeast District, 19 years, 8 months; Robyn A. Malone, administrative specialist II, pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, 24 years, 3 months; Rollin Dean Marable, electrician, Facilities Management Division-Operations and Maintenance-Electrical Shop, 25 years, 3 months; Louise Frazier McClain, county secretary, UGA Cooperative Extension-Southeast District, 33 years, 2 months; Louise Graham McCoy,

building services worker I, Creswell Hall, 10 years; Octavio Medina, veterinary care supervisor, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 28 years; Dorothy J. Moss, building services worker II, Facilities Management DivisionServices-Building Services-North campus, 20 years, 10 months; George J. Mulroney, transit maintenance shift supervisor, Transportation & Parking Services, 33 years, 8 months; Lauren Ann Palmer, safety and compliance officer, Office of Research, 11 years, 5 months; Glenda F. Smith, electronics maintenance engineer, College of Journalism and Mass Communication, 21 years, 11 months; Raymond Sweatte, marine professional-captain, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences human resources department, 32 years, 11 months; Rebecca Jane Waters, administrative associate II, UGA Cooperative Extension-Southeast District, 28 years, 5 months; Susan S. Watkins, admissions counselor II, plant biology, 37 years, 6 months; Cynthia U. Williams, administrative associate I, lifelong education, administration and policy, 29 years, 9 months; and Phillip L. Williams, dean, College of Public Health, 25 years, 3 months.

Source: Human Resources

OFFICE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Operational changes

columns.uga.edu Jan. 7, 2019

7

University follows set procedure for inclement weather, emergencies The University of Georgia (“UGA” or “university”) will operate in accordance with the university academic and master calendars except when overriding public safety concerns otherwise require closure.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness oversees the security and emergency management program for UGA. In the event of inclement weather or an emergency, UGA follows a set procedure for announcing operational changes by making one of three announcements: (1) UGA is open and operating on a regular schedule; (2) UGA will close early or will delay opening until a specific time; or (3) UGA is closed, only designated employees report.

• Communication. Any changes to university operations will be announced in the following ways: (1) ArchNews. An all-campus email through ArchNews is the primary means to distribute such announcements. The announcement also is posted to the UGA home page (www.uga.edu).

(2) Social Media. Announcements will also be posted to Twitter (@universityofga).

(3) Radio. Up-to-date information is provided to Athens radio stations. Atlanta TV and radio stations that have requested to receive UGA weather announcements also are notified.

• Decision not to open or to close campus. In Athens, inclement winter weather often develops overnight. In such cases and depending on conditions, attempts are made to post announcements and notify media by 6:30 a.m. for the start of the class day. If inclement weather or an emergency develops during morning rush hour or during daytime on a school/work day, the same notification procedures listed above are followed.

When inclement weather or emergency conditions are such that closings occur two or more days in succession, the procedure is followed each day, with an announcement being made each day by 6:30 a.m., including weekends. Unless there is an announced closing for a particular day, the university is open and operating on a regular schedule.

Because conditions can change unexpectedly overnight, an evening announcement usually will not be made for the next day except in the most extreme weather circumstances.

Even when the university is open, there could be unsafe travel conditions in your area.

Please exercise caution and gather as much information as possible about weather and road conditions before you decide whether to

Members of the Facilities Management grounds crew continue their work to clear campus during times of inclement weather.

travel during periods of inclement weather.

• Designated employees. Designated employees are employees assigned to positions identified by their department or unit as necessary to the maintenance and operations of the university. In the event of closure or delay, designated employees are still expected to report on time unless conditions prevent safe travel. Departments and units will coordinate with Human Resources to identify designated employees in advance.

• Effect of closure. When UGA is closed, the university is closed for faculty, staff and students. Designated employees should report unless conditions prevent safe travel.

Delayed openings or early closure announcements will include additional information specific to the closure or delay.

A) Special events. Departments and units hosting special events should make their own prior arrangements with employees and participants, notifying them how to proceed in case of inclement weather or an emergency.

In unique circumstances, where the safety of the participants and employees is not jeopardized, special events, such as ticketed concerts or athletic events open to the public, may be held upon prior approval by the applicable dean, director or vice president. All departments and units must ensure adequate university and facility services by coordination with Facilities Management Division, the UGA Police and other units expected to support such operations. In cases of extreme

WEEKLY READER

weather, the university may require and announce a shutdown of all activities, including special events, unless special approval is granted by the president.

B) Transportation. When the decision is made to close UGA for inclement weather conditions, Transportation & Parking Services will operate vans and buses for one hour after the official closing. Bus service may continue to be provided beyond that time as road and weather conditions allow.

The ability to operate in a safe manner will be the primary consideration when determining whether service can be provided.

Notifications regarding the service level being provided will be made available on Transportation & Parking Services’ website (tps.uga.edu/) and social media accounts (https://www.facebook.com/UGATPS/ and https://twitter.com/UGA_TPS).

C) Dining Services. The five university dining commons will provide meal plan service even when the university closes for inclement weather. However, Dining Services will delay opening on these days by one hour and may opt to close early if weather conditions are extreme. On days when the university is closed and buses are not running, the Niche will delay opening for breakfast by one hour and will close at 6 p.m. to serve residents of the Health Sciences Campus. Because the Niche is only open to HSC residents on these days, students living on the main campus should

eat in the dining commons on the main campus. If inclement weather falls on a weekend, Bolton and the Village Summit will provide meal plan service. The department will delay opening by one hour and may opt to close early if weather conditions are extreme. Snelling, Oglethorpe and the Niche will remain closed. All retail operations for Dining Services are closed on days when the university is officially closed.

Notifications regarding service will be made available on Dining Services’ website (dining.uga.edu) and social media accounts (https://www.facebook.com/UGADining/ and https://twitter.com/UGADining).

D) Other Campuses. Announcements for weather closings at UGA campuses in Buckhead, Gwinnett, Griffin and Tifton are handled by those campus administrators separately from the main campus announcements.

E) Employee leave. Information regarding employee leave during closure may be found at http://policies.uga.edu/FA/nodes/ view/1172/Inclement-Weather • Additional Resources for Emergencies: (1) University of Georgia Police Department a. Emergency: Dial 911 b. Non-emergencies: 706-542-2200 or TTY 706-542-1188 (2) Office of Emergency Preparedness. For additional information, visit www.prepare.uga.edu.

CYBERSIGHTS

ABOUT COLUMNS

Writers remember Conroy’s literary legacy

Our Prince of Scribes: Writers Remember Pat Conroy Edited by Nicole Seitz and Jonathan Haupt University of Georgia Press Hardcover: $29.95

The New York Times best-selling writer Pat Conroy, who died in 2016, inspired a worldwide legion of devoted fans, but none are more committed to sustaining his literary legacy than the many writers he nurtured.

In Our Prince of Scribes, his fellow writers honor his memory and advance shared understanding of his lasting impact on 20th- and 21st-century literary life in and well beyond the American South.

Conroy’s was a messy fellowship of people from all walks of life. His relationships were complicated, and people and places he thought he’d left behind often circled back to him at crucial moments.

The pantheon of contributors include authors, performers and chefs, such as Rick Bragg, Ron Rash, Barbra Streisand, Janis Ian and Nathalie Dupree, as well as family, friends, students and many more.

Each author in this collection shares a slightly different view of Conroy.

Through their voices, a vibrant, multifaceted portrait of him comes to life and sheds new light on the writer and the man.

Peter Frey

Columns is available to the community by ­subscription for an annual fee of $20 (second-class delivery) or $40 (first-class delivery). Faculty and staff members with a disability may call 706-542-8017 for assistance in obtaining this publication in an alternate format.

Columns staff can be reached at 706-542-8017 or columns@uga.edu

Editor Juliett Dinkins

Winter issue of Georgia Magazine online

news.uga.edu/georgia-magazine

The winter 2018 issue of Georgia Magazine is online.

The issue’s cover story highlights the efforts of the student-led Small Satellite Research Lab, which is working to launch UGA into space. Other magazine features include a behind-the-scenes look at the Georgia equestrian team and an overview of the university’s efforts to battle the invasive silverleaf whitefly, which is devastating crops

in south Georgia.

Georgia Magazine also takes readers on a tour of six alumniowned restaurants in Athens, many of them leading a foodie renaissance in the Classic City.

Alumni profiles include one of the founding staff members of Major League Soccer, the director of the Chick-fil-A Foundation and an award-winning interior designer in Charleston, South Carolina.

Communications Coordinator Krista Richmond Art Director Jackie Baxter Roberts Photo Editor Dorothy Kozlowski Writers Kellyn Amodeo Leigh Beeson The University of Georgia is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The University of Georgia is a unit of the University System of Georgia.

8 Jan. 7, 2019 columns.uga.edu INSTITUTE

SCHOLAR from page 1

from page 1

inception in 1958, and it continues to be an anticipated event on the Georgia political calendar. As in past years, the 2018 Biennial offered the first opportunity following the elections for veteran and freshman legislators to come together as a group in advance of the legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

The Biennial officially began Dec. 9 with welcoming remarks from Speaker of the House David Ralston, Lt. Gov.-elect Geoff Duncan, UGA President Jere W. Morehead and Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows. Maria Taylor (ABJ ’09, MBA ’13), an analyst and host with sports network ESPN and a UGA graduate, delivered the keynote address regarding leadership, drawing on her classroom experiences and sports career at Georgia.

Over the subsequent two days, the Biennial sessions explored a diverse set of state priorities, including rural economic development initiatives throughout the state, publicprivate workforce development programs and critical issues in health care. Legislators attended a number of informative policy sessions featuring panels of state agency executives, legislative committee chairs and experts from industry, business and

universities. Additional speakers included University System of Georgia Chancellor Steve W. Wrigley and UGA political science professor Charles S. Bullock.

Almost all of the state’s 56 senators and 180 representatives attended the Biennial Institute, including 10 senators and 39 representatives who will begin serving their first terms in the legislature in January.

The Biennial offered these freshmen legislators the chance to network with their new colleagues and learn more about key matters they will face as they begin to represent their constituents in Atlanta.

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a UGA Public Service and Outreach unit, has coordinated the Biennial for 60 years, working with the Georgia General Assembly to organize and assemble the resources and expertise needed to carry out the planned events. The institute provides customized assistance, applied research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia and internationally.

The Biennial has always been held at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, also a UGA public service and outreach unit.

Bulletin Board Nut consumption, cholesterol study participants sought

Participants are being sought for a research study that will help investigate the impact of nut consumption on cholesterol profiles. Subjects who complete the study will earn $70-$145, depending on treatment groups.

The foods and nutrition department seeks men and women ages 30-75 years with high cholesterol levels or a “bigger build.” Subjects must not take cholesterol-lowering medications, thyroid medications or exercise more than three hours per week.

Subjects also must not have diabetes or food allergies/intolerances to pecans, gluten, dairy or meat. Subjects must not habitually eat tree nuts more than twice per week.

This study requires an eight-week commitment and four testing visits.

Four visits require blood draws.

In addition to monetary compensation, participants also will learn their body weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, metabolic rate (estimated calorie needs) and cholesterol levels.

Participants may refuse or cease their participation at any time during the study.

Those interested in finding out if they qualify for the study or who want to request more information should contact Liana Rodrigues by phone at 423-596-7708 or via email at liana.rodrigues@uga.edu.

Mentorship Program application deadline

Applications for the UGA Mentorship Program are being accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 21.

Originally an initiative of UGA’s Enterprise Information Technology Services, the program was expanded in 2013 to include all University System of Georgia employees. It is dedicated to promoting the personal and professional development of all USG employees.

The Mentorship Program’s spring 2019 cycle will run February-May. The web-based version of the application is available at https://bit.ly/2SqVsCl. To learn more about the program,

visit http://eits.uga.edu/mentorship_ program.

Send questions about the program or the application process to mentor@uga.edu.

Mentor/protege pairs will be contacted and officially announced shortly after the application process closes.

New dining options

UGA students, faculty and staff can now enjoy two new dining options.

Sambazon, the first and only certified organic and fair trade acai, is now available at the Niche Pizza Co. in the Tate Student Center. Sambazon offers healthy smoothie bowls filled with acai and topped with granola, fresh fruit and other ingredients. This concept accepts all major forms of payment as well as Paw Points and Bulldog Bucks.

UGA Dining Services, with support from the Office of Sustainability, also introduced Blended Burgers at OHouse, the Niche (on the HSC) and Bulldog Burger at the Tate Student Center.

Blended Burgers are comprised of 70 percent beef and 30 percent roasted mushroom. Traditional burgers are available at Bolton, Snelling and the Village Summit. In addition to providing nutrition benefits, replacing 30 percent of the beef in burgers with mushrooms reduces agricultural production-related greenhouse gas emissions, irrigation water demand and global agricultural land demand.

University Woman’s Club

The University Woman’s Club will hold its next general meeting Jan. 8 in the Fellowship Hall of Alps Road Presbyterian Church, 380 Alps Road.

Guest speaker for the program, which will begin at 11:30 a.m., is Pauline Kitolo, a fourth-year student in UGA’s College of Pharmacy.

Kitolo, who currently is completing her advanced pharmacy practice rotations, will discuss “Alzheimer’s Disease: Treatment, Cure and Challenge/Care.”

Bulletin Board is limited to information that may pertain to a majority of faculty and staff members.

President Jere W. Morehead. “He is adding to our university’s record of success on the international stage, and I look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future.”

The fully funded, yearlong master’s program in global affairs is offered to Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Students live and learn on the Schwarzman College campus and focus their studies on public policy, economics and business, or international studies.

An Honors student and Foundation Fellow, Agrawal is majoring in international affairs and economics. He has been accepted into Harvard Law School, which he will begin after his year at Tsinghua University.

Agrawal studies human rights protection, and his goal is to investigate how international institutions can leverage human rights treaties in creative ways to increase decentralized enforcement.As a Schwarzman Scholar, he plans to examine Chinese ideology underlying its human rights agenda.At Harvard, he will study international law to develop the knowledge base and skills necessary to implement new

approaches to human rights.

“I have greatly enjoyed working with Swapnil over the past few years,” said David S. Williams, associate provost and director of the Honors Program. “I know that he is destined to make a very positive impact on society.”

Agrawal has been a research intern for the Amara Legal Center in Washington, D.C.; policy intern for the American Civil Liberties Union in Atlanta; scholar for UGA’s Center for International Trade and Security; legal intern at the Legal Resources Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa; researcher for the UGA School of Public and International Affairs; policy analyst for the Georgia Department of Economic Development in Munich, Germany; and immigration intern for Arnall Golden Gregory LLP in Atlanta.

“Swapnil richly deserves the honor of being named to a program that prepares and connects future global leaders,” said Jessica Hunt, UGA’s major scholarships coordinator. “He already has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to advancing human rights within the United States and around the world.”

COMMENCEMENT from page 1 shares her own lessons and research as the Torsten N. Wiesel Professor at Rockefeller University and director of the Lulu and Anthony Wang Laboratory of Neural Circuits and Behavior. In 2016, she joined the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative as its first president of science, a role in which she oversees the development and execution of the scientific work of the initiative.

“I want to ask something of you all— please share your knowledge,” she said.

“Share it with others in the community so that they can build on it. It may seem small to you, but it could be the exact piece that someone else is missing.”

President Jere W. Morehead congratulated and welcomed the 2,799 graduates as the university’s newest alumni and spoke about how they can use the lessons they’ve learned.

“Whatever your field, your UGA education has prepared you to use your knowledge to improve lives, improve communities and, indeed, change the world. That is how you

carry on the land-grant tradition of this great university,” he said. “You should be proud of all you have accomplished so far, but I expect that you will go on to do much more. As UGA alumni, we do not rest on our laurels, nor do we forget the purpose of our education.”

Some 1,575 undergraduates and 1,224 graduate students met requirements to walk in the university’s fall Commencement ceremonies. Of the graduate students, 284 received doctoral degrees and 940 received their master’s or specialist degrees.

Eleven students were recognized as First Honor Graduates during the undergraduate exercises for maintaining a 4.0 cumulative GPA in all work attempted at UGA as well as all college-level transfer work prior to or following enrollment at the university.

In addition, the university awarded posthumous degrees to Oliver Walker Woodward, a Bachelor of Business Administration in real estate, and David Michael Miklesh, a Ph.D. in marine sciences.

FUNDING from page 1 this work are to improve our understanding of the small- and large-scale processes that govern these events and improve our ability to predict and prepare for their changes under the influences of natural variability and human activities.”

Kooperman will lead a collaboration evaluating the benefits of the two development versions of E3SM for simulating aspects of extreme precipitation with Kevin A. Reed at Stony Brook University, Walter M. Hannah at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Angeline G. Pendergrass at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

“We are investigating the tradeoffs between these different approaches, in terms of the computational resources they require,

and their abilities to resolve the convectivescale processes that control the intensity versus large-scale processes that control the structure of extreme precipitation events that impact the United States,” Kooperman said.

The new DOE projects are aimed at improving representation of oceans, atmosphere and clouds, as well as simulation of extreme weather events such as intense precipitation, tropical cyclones and monsoons.

Projects involve analysis of how well models represent natural process, and where they can be improved by comparing the model with observations and development of new software designed to better simulate the processes in question.

RANKING from page 1 industry to make research-based products available to the world.”

In 2018, UGA’s new products to market included a poultry vaccine; eco-friendly charcoal lighter fluid; soil remediation products; research and educational tools; and new peanut, pecan, soybean, wheat, citrus and ornamental plant varieties, said Derek Eberhart, associate vice president for research and executive director of Innovation Gateway, UGA’s research commercialization office.

The university pours much of the income it derives from licensing new technologies to industry back into the research enterprise through initiatives such as the Cultivar Development Research Program. Since 1997, this program has provided nearly $20 million in internal grant funding, resulting in the generation of more than 300 novel plant cultivars.

Last year, the program was a finalist in the national University Economic Development Association’s Awards of Excellence, which recognize outstanding and innovative programs in economic development.

This commercialization activity benefits from the expanding research enterprise at UGA. Over the past five years, the university has achieved a 29-percent increase in overall research and development expenditures.

As a result, UGA has risen from 64th to 53rd in the National Science Foundation’s latest R&D rankings of universities, with $455 million in expenditures in fiscal year 2017.

“I believe we’re only just starting to realize UGA’s potential to catalyze the most creative and entrepreneurial ambitions of our amazing faculty and students,” said David Lee, vice president for research. “It takes a complex ecosystem to support the multiple pathways to successful innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization, whether through the licensing of new inventions to industry, helping faculty and students to start their own companies or other activities. Ensuring these opportunities are robust will help to keep UGA intellectually vibrant in the 21st century and will contribute to our state’s economic growth.”