Author Kay a University of West Georgia graduate who also wrote "The Year The Lights Came On" and "To Dance With the White Dog," is going to be a guest speaker for the exclusive Reading Circle organization's centennial celebration. Kay will speak Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Lower Fayetteville Road.
READ MORE:
http://www.times-herald.com/local/Author-Kay-will-speak-at-Thursday-celebration-843514
Monday, August 31, 2009
Confirmed Cases of "Type A Influenza"
On Friday the school confirmed one case of Type A influenza, in a student that was exhibiting flu like symptoms. Another case of seasonal flu was also diagnosed. Special precautions are being taken by the campus to deal with the potential spreading of the virus.
READ MORE:
http://www.times-georgian.com/pages/full_story/push?article-One+case+of+Type+A+flu+on+UWG+campus%20&id=3331745-One+case+of+Type+A+flu+on+UWG+campus&instance=home_news_top
Friday, August 28, 2009
Congrats to One of Our Very Own
Will Camp is a UWG graduate with a bachelor's degree in music with a focus in jazz. He has recently been named chairman of the Georgia Music Educators Association District 7 Orchestra Division. We send out our congrats on the achievement!
Going Greek
As "rush week" at the university comes to an end, many of the National Panhellenic fraternities and sororities give their perspectives on why the week is so important to them, and their organizations.
READ MORE:
http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/rush-week-1.307473
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
UWG Donors Play a Critical Role in Students' Lives
Publisher of the Times-Georgian newspaper, Leonard Woolsey has been an avid University of West Georgia supporter for many years – with significant contributions toward higher education and time and effort into bettering students’ lives. As chairman of the 2009 Annual Fund, he is once again demonstrating his support for the university.
“I’ve long been a fan of UWG. The Times-Georgian works very closely with it and students at every opportunity,” said Woolsey. “I’m honored to help contribute to moving the university forward with this year’s drive.”
The Annual Fund, previously known as A DAY, is a rebranded fund-raising campaign to support student scholarships, faculty and staff development and undergraduate research.
A DAY began in 1983 as a one-day event to garner support from local businesses and individuals for the institution, but since then has become a two-month campaign that has involved a growing number of volunteers, donors and university employees. This year the campaign has evolved into a collection of events to target a broader audience – not just local businesses and institutions, but alumni in other parts of the nation and overseas throughout Georgia and other states.
Woolsey said that the Annual Fund would work to personalize the communication of the critical role that donors play in the lives of students.
“I believe you’ll see this campaign evolve into one that not only educates but motivates people emotionally to connect with how their participation makes a difference in student lives,” said Woolsey. “There is no better investment than education. And we hope to help people better understand that an investment in education pays forward forever with the impact it makes in so many lives.”
As chair of the Annual Fund, Woolsey’s duties include overseeing the campaign’s progress and participating in speaking events. He is also helping oversee the Annual Fund’s transition, one that he believes will be a positive and progressive one.
“I think this is an excellent opportunity for us to remind ourselves of why we are involved in this commitment – for the betterment of the student’s educational experience,” said Woolsey. “That may seem broad, but it is also about the details of purchasing books or helping offset tuition expense. It needs change – and so does the best manner in which to fund these goals.”
Woolsey will work to promote and coordinate the advanced solicitation drive for the duration of the Annual Fund until the victory celebration on Oct. 22.
The 24th Annual Run for UWG, sponsored by First National Bank of Georgia, is scheduled for Oct. 1, with a pre-registration form available online through Sept. 25 at www.westga.edu/~alumni.
“I believe in education and in UWG,” said Woolsey. “Get the word out. The word of why this is the right – if not the best – time to invest in education. And UWG is the place to invest. Right now.”
For more information on the Annual Fund, call 678-839-6582.
NAACP BBQ
Today the University of West Georgia's NAACP chapter is holding its annual BBQ in the school's Love Valley starting at 5 p.m.. The event is open to the public, and there will be free food and drinks for everybody until they run out.
If At First You Don't Succeed Try Again
Linh Wight, a native of Saigon, Vietnam came to America with high hopes of a better life. Her long journey has been full of obstacles that to some would have seemed impossible to get over. Through it all she kept trying and never gave up, and is now a student at the University of West Georgia, and taking the steps towards making her dreams a reality.
READ MORE:
http://www.times-herald.com/local/I-wouldnt-trade-my-GED-for-a-million-dollars-839446
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Artist Captures Greek Village
Internationally renowned artist Steve Penley recently completed a painting of the new Greek Village for the University of West Georgia Foundation, Inc. The artwork was commissioned by Randall Redding, immediate past chair of the UWG Foundation Board of Trustees and general contractor for R.K. Redding Construction, Inc., the company responsible for building the new complex for fraternity and sorority members.
Dr. Michael Ruffner, vice president of University Advancement, expressed his gratitude to Penley for his role in commemorating an important time in the university’s history, as well as to Redding for initiating the process. “We are very appreciative to Randall for his classy gesture,” he said.
“We are honored to have an artist of Mr. Penley’s caliber among us in the community, and we are delighted with the results of his hard work,” said Susan Fleck, current chair of the UWG Foundation Board of Trustees.
On hand to celebrate the event were (from left) Fleck, Penley, Redding and Ruffner.
Swine Flu Preparation Continues
Campuses across the nation are reporting cases of swine flu, but institutions are taking steps to try to limit the impact of the expected onslaught of cases this fall.
Students are being reminded of tips that can help in prevention, including frequent hand washing and coughing or sneezing into the sleeve, rather than the hand.
READ MORE:
Should Colleges Have A Report Card
Do you feel colleges should be given a score of how good of a success rate their graduates have in the work force? Since college tuition rates are increasing faster than health care cost growth and the median family income, this is one proposed solution to the problem of high tuition. It would allow prospective students the ability to determine if their investment of time and money is worth attending certain educational institutions.
READ MORE:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/08/25/using_student_loans_to_slow_tuition_growth/
To Twit or Not to Twit
Faculty Focus, a Web site for higher education professionals, announced results of a survey on Twitter usage and trends among college faculty today. The results of the survey show that while the trend of using Twitter among college faculty is a strong percentage, there is still over 50 percent of college faculty that find no use for the new craze.
READ MORE:
http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-25-2009/0005082691&EDATE=
Monday, August 24, 2009
Wolves Campaign Continues
It's almost time to open the new stadium, but season ticket sales are continuing, and good seats are still available for watching the Wolves in University Stadium.
READ MORE:
Greek Village Shows Off its Digs
The dream of fraternity/sorority housing on campus became a reality this month with a celebration that brought hundreds of visitors to campus for the ribbon cutting.
READ MORE:
BSA- Pillow Talk
The Black Student Alliance (BSA) will be hosting an informational meeting called "Pillow Talk" Tuesday, Aug. 25 to give insight on the club and its plans for the coming year. All interested students who would like to know more about membership are welcomed to come. The meeting will take place in the Campus Center room 108.4 from 7:30p.m. till 9p.m. and all guests are welcome to come in pajamas to go along with the theme.
UWG Student Experiences Miracle of Natural Motherhood
Sarah Miller, who studies art and psychology at UWG, delivered her first two children by C-section. But because of the special work of a doctor, she was able to deliver her third child naturally, which is normally considered too risky after C-section births.
SEE HER STORY HERE:
Overcoming Obstacles
University of West Georgia students get a life lesson in money management as they learn to budget and save in order to pay for a college education. As the economy puts a strain on state higher educational institutions, it is not only the faculty and staff that feel the brunt of the changes, students as well have to deal with an increase in fees and tuition. Many of your fellow students describe how they plan on dealing with the new obstacles and staying focused on the long term goal.
READ MORE:
http://www.times-georgian.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Cost+of+going+to+college-+Students+find+ways+to+make+money-+cut+expenses%20&id=3243909-Cost+of+going+to+college-+Students+find+ways+to+make+money-+cut+expenses&instance=home_news_top
Fight For the Crown
The University of West Georgia has it very own beauty pageant contestant! Ms. Kathleen Rice a student here at the university will be competing in the 37th annual Miss Wheelchair America this weekend. Starting Friday, Aug. 28 Rice and 26 other contestants will begin the fight for the crown.
READ MORE:
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2009/08/24/news/local/doc4a921df500ca7334764582.txt
Friday, August 21, 2009
Flu Planning Continues
Federal officials said Thursday that colleges should consider suspending classes this fall if the H1N1 flu virus begins to cause severe illness in a significantly larger share of students than last spring.
A guidance document released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stresses "self-isolation" of sick students and employees until a full day after fever subsides. Officials urged schools to suspend any rules -- such as penalties for late papers or missed classes, or a required doctor's note -- that might prompt ill individuals to venture out.
"We're hoping we're on track to be out ahead of this virus," said Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of health and human services, in an afternoon conference call with reporters.
Officials said a flu vaccine should be available by mid-October.
READ MORE:
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Making a Green Move
Students today are more concerned than ever about the environment, but college move-in days typically produce huge piles of trash outside residence halls. Dedee DeLongpré Johnston, director of sustainability at Wake Forest University, offers simple suggestions to achieve a “greener” move in.
READ MORE:
Not Enough Teachers to Go Around
With enrollment in higher educational institutions increasing nationwide, universities and colleges now face the problem of not having the budgets to increase the faculty to support their enrollment boom. Many states are suffering severe budget cuts that in turn are resulting in lack of funds to hire new educators. Higher education institutions around the nation are now trying to handle the problem of an overwhelming ratio of students to teachers.
READ MORE:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-colleges/2009/08/19/budget-cuts-take-toll-on-education.html
Education Is Power
The current economic problems facing the work force are motivating people to go back to school. Statistics show the increase in enrollment at the University of West Georgia is in part attributed to the increase in unemployment rates.
READ MORE:
http://www.times-georgian.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Tech+college+reports+dramatic+uptick+in+enrollment+while+UWG+sees+more+moderate+growth%20&id=3222299-Tech+college+reports+dramatic+uptick+in+enrollment+while+UWG+sees+more+moderate+growth&instance=home_news_top
Newer, Better, Fresher
Your voice is being heard! The university's Auxiliary Services is making a number of improvements in its dining facilities in response to your survey responses.
READ MORE:
http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/school-uses-dining-survey-to-improve-food-service-1.303149
First Game on Our Turf
The stage has been set for the first home game of the year to take place in our beautiful new stadium. Students and supporters hope the game scheduled Sept. 5 will bring our first victory in our new stadium we now call home. GO WOLVES!
READ MORE:
http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/university-stadium-will-be-ready-for-football-season-1.303141
Freshman Survival Guide
A fifth year senior at the University of West Georgia gives his advice to incoming freshmen about how to approach the task of picking a major and sticking to it.
READ MORE:
http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/tips-for-freshman-happiness-not-just-survival-1.303102
READ MORE:
http://www.thewestgeorgian.com/tips-for-freshman-happiness-not-just-survival-1.303102
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
High Museum in Atlanta Offers College Night
The High Museum in Atlanta will host a fall College Night on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 7 p.m. to midnight. The event is themed in coordination with the final weekend of Louvre Atlanta, the High’s unprecedented three-year collaboration with the Louvre Museum in Paris. The final exhibition, “The Louvre and the Masterpiece,” explores the definition of a masterpiece and features 91 works of art drawn from all eight of the Musée du Louvre’s collection areas, spanning 4,000 years.
READ MORE:
Residence Life Department Adds Housing to Name
The Department of Residence Life will now be known as the Department of Housing and Residence Life.
By adding "Housing" to the department's name, the aim is to increase the decision-making accountability for the condition of the facilities as the department transitions into supervising and managing not only the residents and communities in its residence halls, but also the physical structures. The department is striving to improve its on campus housing facilities, which can boost the university's status as a destination for on-campus housing across the state.
With the opening of the Greek Village, a community housing approximately 260 Greek-letter fraternity and sorority students, UWG's campus occupancy has grown to more than 3,000 residents.
You can visit the department's Web site at www.westga.edu/housing or email the department at housing@westga.edu if you have any questions.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Cake and Candles for UWG
The Fourth District A&M School -- which morphed into West Georgia College, then the State University of West Georgia, and now the University of West Georgia -- was created exactly 103 years ago by the Perry Act on Aug. 18, 1906.
Several other sister institutions in Georgia (including one in UWG's sector, Georgia Southern) were created as A&M Schools on the same day by the same Perry Act.
Happy 103rd Birthday to all!
An Explanation for the Decline in U.S. Research
A paper published this week by the National Bureau of Economic Research attributes a comparative drop in American university productivity internationally to a decline in financial support for public universities.
READ MORE:
Monday, August 17, 2009
UWG Added to Indo-American Film Festival
The Fourth Atlanta Indo-American Film Festival is reaching out to three new universities this year, including UWG, featuring traditional Indian film classics, innovative documentaries and more experimental works.
Ani Agnihotri, founder of the U.S.-India Business Research Center in Atlanta, told GlobalAtlanta.com that he has been adding Georgia universities as venues to show Indian films since launching the festival in 2006.
READ MORE:
Roadside Memorials and the Mourning Process
Roadside memorials provide a special connection for the living with the dead, and are more personal than traditional cemetery markers, this article asserts.
Quoted in the article is Dr. Janet Donohoe, a professor of philosophy at UWG.
READ MORE:
Demystifying the Dissertation
Among your first steps, writes Peg Boyle Single, are knowing your audience and dividing your material into key points.
READ MORE:
Cost of Moving on Up May Move on Up
While moving to Division I in NCAA sports is an attractive option for many universities, the costs of such a move may soar. The NCAA is considering levying a $1 million application fee for schools that want to make the move.
How might this affect UWG?
Read football coach Daryl Dickey's comments on the issue.
READ MORE:
Lighting the Flame Welcomes Freshmen
Wolfie joined in the Light the Flame festivities that traditionally welcome the freshman class to the University of West Georgia.
The UWG Marching Band led the Class of 2013 from Love Valley to the main campus entrance on Maple Street where UWG President Beheruz N. Sethna welcomed the hundreds of freshman who watched the traditional lighting of the flame.
READ MORE:
Wolves Working Hard as Opener Nears
Saturday evening’s scrimmage at Observatory Field marked the two-week point until showtime for the University of West Georgia football team, which means 12 more days of practice for the UWG coaching staff to prepare its team for Wingate on Aug. 29.
READ MORE:
A Critical Look at U.S. Higher Education
K-12 education in the United States has taken criticism for many years for its perceived shortcomings. But a columnist writes that it's now also time to turn a critical eye on the higher education system in the U.S., which also has problems. For instance, the dropout rate at U.S. colleges is 46 percent; among free-world nations, only Mexico fares worse, according to the columnist.
READ MORE:
Friday, August 14, 2009
More Students Seek Aid as States Reduce Awards
Struggling with budget shortfalls that reach into the billions, several states are making deep cuts in college financial aid programs, including those that provide a vital source of cash for students who most need the money.
At least a dozen states are reducing award sizes, eliminating grants and tightening eligibility guidelines because of a lack of money. At the same time, the number of students seeking aid is rising sharply as more people seek a college education and need help paying the tuition bill because they or their parents lost jobs and savings during the recession.
READ MORE:
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/nation/ap/53031177.html
Proposal for New Nursing Building Advances
The University 
System of Georgia will ask the governor to include a new $16.9 million home for the School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia on his list of bond projects.
The university has long anticipated a new building for its School of Nursing. The school has been squeezed into too-small spaces for 10 years. The space was designed for 13 faculty but is housing 23. The classrooms were designed to accommodate between 20 and 30 students while the program is admitting 60 in a group.
System of Georgia will ask the governor to include a new $16.9 million home for the School of Nursing at the University of West Georgia on his list of bond projects.The university has long anticipated a new building for its School of Nursing. The school has been squeezed into too-small spaces for 10 years. The space was designed for 13 faculty but is housing 23. The classrooms were designed to accommodate between 20 and 30 students while the program is admitting 60 in a group.
READ MORE:
UWG Grad Gets Innovative in Job Search
A University of West Georgia graduate has taken a creative approach to enticing potential employers to hiring him, offering to donate a portion of his initial earnings to his employer's favorite charity.
READ MORE:
Softball Announces 2009-10 Recruiting Class
When the West Georgia softball team steps onto the diamond this year, much more than the field will be a new sight. Along with the brand new University Athletic Complex, head coach Erika Swanson has announced 12 additions to the six returnees for the 2010 campaign.
“There is definitely a lot of potential with this recruiting class,” said Swanson. “We have several players who have the ability to make an immediate impact on this team and in the Gulf South Conference.”
Of the newcomers, nine will be stepping onto a collegiate diamond for the first time. In the outfield, Swanson brought in five potential stars. Kristin Hall roamed the outfield at North Gwinnett High School, and her switch-hitting ability and speed has the potential to make her one of the immediate impact players.
Joining Hall in the outfield is Kelsey Francen from Sequoyah, Meagan Sitton from Sandy Creek, Chrissy Rainwater from Darton College and Megan Simmons from Georgia Military College.
“I am excited about my outfielders for this season,” Swanson said. “They all come in with good credentials and each of them has the ability to step into a starting role.”
In the infield, Swanson will have the pick of seven different players, led by Megan Garcia from Sequoyah. Garcia batted .423 in an All-Region season as a senior shortstop for the Chiefs. Joining Megan will be first baseman Jordan Bohannon from Gordon Lee, Ashley West from George Walton Academy, Kate Gorczyca of Creekview, Holly Barnlund from Medina High in Medina Ohio, Hollie Veal and Megan Simmons from Georgia Military College and Rainwater.
“I’m pleased with the versatility of my recruiting class this season,” said Swanson. “Most of my girls can play multiple positions and will be called upon to do so.”
On the mound, Swanson has a trio of recruits in Rachel Segers, Gorczyca and West. Each had an ERA of less than 1.13 in high school and all were standouts. Segers, a true freshman from Tift County, collected 160 strikeouts and just 21 walks as a senior in 2008.
Log onto www.uwgsports.com for game stories, stats and all the action from the softball diamond throughout the 2009-10 academic year.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Welcome to University of West Georgia's Media Blog
Greetings!
For news about what's going on on campus, with the people of UWG and in higher education, this
is your source.
And we want to hear from you.
Comment on our posts, or submit your own posts, by emailing ucm@westga.edu.
UWG Wins APPA Award
SEE THE VIDEO:
Wolves Are Ready for Some Football
The long off-season is over for the West Georgia Wolves football team and the serious work has begun. Preseason camp started last week with a welcome from Coach Daryl Dickey and his staff to more than 100 players. The team will play their first game on August 29 at Wingate University against the Bulldogs.
The grand opening of University Stadium on the UWG campus and the home opener for the Wolves will take place on Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5.
READ MORE:
Are Textbooks Going the Way of CDs?
The sound of students flipping through textbook pages may soon be a thing of the past.
Instead, university and college students may be using their index fingers to silently scroll through virtual textbooks they've downloaded to their iPhone or iPod Touch.
They'll highlight with a swish and make notes with a few taps, thanks to a new application available through the iTunes store.
More than 7,000 post-secondary textbooks from 12 large publishers -- including John Wiley & Sons Inc., McGraw Hill Higher Education and Nelson Education -- can now be downloaded though CourseSmart LLC for about half the cost of the printed versions.
READ MORE:
http://www.canada.com/Students+textbooks+might+soon+thing+past/1884639/story.html
FDA Chief Announces Shift in Food-Safety Efforts
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is shifting the main focus of its food-safety efforts toward prevention, rather than reacting to crises after they occur, top FDA officials recently told representatives of the media and Atlanta-area universities.
“Our new guidelines will bring about better, stronger standards for food safety and help us ensure a safer supply of food for Americans,” FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said. The new approach should also help prevent some of the panic and misinformation that spreads when a food-source contamination is discovered, said Joshua Sharfstein, principal deputy commissioner of the FDA.
Sharfstein said proposed new guidelines will provide a guide for food growers and processors to follow so that their produce will face less of a risk of contamination.
Opposition to the new guidelines in Congress has been minimal so far, he said.
On another issue, Hamburg and Sharfstein said that electronic cigarettes – smokeless devices that deliver nicotine to users – may be as harmful as cigarettes. So far, the FDA has blocked some shipments of the devices at the border, but its efforts to prevent sales in the United States are being stalled by a court case in which a manufacturer contends that the FDA does not have regulatory authority over the devices.
Sharfstein said that FDA tests have found the devices contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze. Manufacturers say the products have fewer harmful ingredients than are found in cigarettes.
Responding to a question about swine flu, Sharfstein said the FDA continues to monitor the development process of a vaccine that will effectively treat H1N1, the strain known commonly as swine flu. Hamburg said the FDA also wants to remind Americans that no vaccine can protect 100 percent against disease, and that all other preventative measures should be followed.
UWG Launches Annual Fund Campaign
As another academic year begins, the University of West Georgia is experiencing the benefits and challenges of its steady growth.
With a new coliseum, football stadium and Greek Village for fraternities and sororities opening on campus, the benefits are in plain view.
But challenges, such as raising funds in a difficult economic environment, are also present.
Now, as the university embarks upon a rebranded fund-raising campaign, it is emphasizing to donors, volunteers and the community that it is continuing to excel even as it takes prudent steps to navigate uncertain fiscal terrain.
As the university launches its Annual Fund campaign, it is highlighting the ways in which UWG benefits the local community and the region.
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