UWG Names Cross Country Coach

A familiar face is now in charge of the University of West Georgia men’s and women’s cross country programs.

UWG Director of Athletics Daryl Dickey Tuesday announced the appointment of Tim Brooks as the Wolves’ new head coach for both cross country teams. Brooks succeeds Dr. Frank Butts, who stepped aside from the posts earlier this spring.

Brooks, a native of Powder Springs, was an outstanding performer during his running career at West Georgia. As a freshman he was a member of the UWG’s 1999 GSC Championship team, and was team captain during his senior season in 2004.

“I am very proud to be a part of the West Georgia family,” said Brooks. “We have an excellent tradition in cross country here, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue and build on that tradition.”

Though he has no head coaching experience, Brooks has served in the past as a volunteer assistant with the West Georgia program. He has also worked the past several years as an operations assistant for UWG Athletics. In that capacity he has done a variety of duties, concentrating primarily on game day operations and event management.

“We’re very excited to have Tim step into this position,” said Dickey. “He has done an excellent job for our department in the past, and I am confident that he will continue to build on the success and tradition of our cross country program.”

Beyond his enthusiasm over the appointment of Brooks, Dickey is also quick to compliment the efforts of Butts over the past four seasons.

“We are grateful for the jobs done by both Frank (assistant coach) Elizabeth Butts,” said Dickey. “They helped build our cross country program into one that we feel can continue to improve under Coach Brooks’ leadership.”

Brooks, who is 30, is a 2004 graduate of West Georgia, earning his bachelor’s degree in Sport Management. He also earned his master’s degree from UWG in Physical Education and Health in 2008.

Economy Shows Promise, But Region Still Struggles, Report Says

The most recent U.S. jobs report showed that the U.S. economy added its highest number of jobs in four years, but the national unemployment rate remains stubbornly high. For the West Georgia region, the jobless rate lingers above the state and national averages, suggesting that the region faces a greater challenge in exiting the recession, according to UWG’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

As of March, the unemployment rate in each of the five West Georgia counties exceeded the state rate of 10.4 percent.

Carroll County had the highest unemployment rate at 11.6 percent while Coweta had the lowest rate at 10.8.

On a positive note, initial claims for unemployment are down in the West Georgia Region in March suggesting fewer individuals are filing for unemployment benefits.

For the region as a whole, initial claims are down by 14.9 percent in March 2010 compared to March 2009.

Over the same period of time, the state as a whole has seen new filings drop by a more robust 28.1 percent.

The economic struggles for the region are clearly related to its greater dependence on the goods-producing sectors of construction and manufacturing. Employment in goods-production in the West Georgia Region plummeted in 2009. The nosedive in single fam-

ily housing construction activity contributed significantly to this employment drop. Overall, single family permit activity was 53.3 percent lower in 2009 compared to 2008.

Thus far in 2010, the region has seen a modest uptick in permit activity. A total of 209 single family units were permitted in the first three months of 2010 compared to 169 units for the same period in 2009. The regional gain is centered in Coweta County, which sustained a 190 percent increase in housing activity in the first three months of

2010 (122 permits in Jan.-March 2010 vs. 42 permits in Jan.-March 2009).

While the health care sector is experiencing significant expansion in the region, other sectors are more directly experiencing the negative impacts of the recession. State

budget cutbacks have resulted in layoffs in all of the public school systems in the region. Two banks in the region, First National Bank of Georgia and McIntosh Commercial Bank, both based in Carrollton, recently failed. In one positive development, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to transfer its all-terrain vehicle (ATV) production currently in Japan to Newnan. This will impact production at the Yamaha plant beginning in early 2011.

Read the full report by the Center for Business and Economic Research here:

http://www.westga.edu/rcob/index_9734.php

Sethna Featured in Diverse Magazine

UWG President Beheruz N. Sethna is featured in the May 13 issue of Diverse magazine. To see the article click on the link below, then scroll down to the picture of the magazine cover and click on it, and turn to page 7.

http://diverseeducation.com/

Join the Sock Drive

Help UWG meet its goal of providing 500 new pairs of socks to local nursing homes.

We are collecting socks in honor of Older Americans Month celebrated in May. This year’s theme is “Age Strong Live Long.”

Thanks to all of you who have already donated to this worthwhile cause.

We will deliver the socks by the third week of May.

This is a simple way you can make a difference in a senior's life. So please donate new socks!

Please bring all donations to the Office of Institutional Diversity, Row Hall, Room 217.

Hollabaugh to Speak on Ga.-Fla.-Ala. Water War

The West Georgia Regional Library will host a lecture by UWG geologist Curtis Hollabaugh on Sunday, May 16 at 2:30 p.m. on "Eastern Water Wars with Georgia versus Florida and Alabama: Environmental versus Political Solutions." Hollabaugh specializes in geochemistry, mineralogy and water quality and quantity of north Georgia.

The West Georgia Regional Library is at

710 Rome Street
Carrollton, GA 30117-3046
(770) 836-6711

Grads Face Tough Job Market, But Key Tips Can Help

The graduating class of 2010 will face a job market that is challenging, to say the least, although it has shown some recent signs of improvement.

But as grads enter the competitive employment field, they’ll be wise to heed a few tips that could enhance their efforts in finding work, career experts say.

“Regardless of the economy, college-graduating, entry-level candidates need to understand all the strategies of job searching,” said Karen Lingrell, a career services expert at the University of West Georgia. “A flexible, tailored resume, cover letters, networking and informational interviews are some of the key elements,” she said.

Lingrell also stressed the importance of applying for jobs with a specific strategy.

“A thorough understanding of how to do industry and company research is vital. Always get to the company Web site rather than utilizing the list serves of Monster, Career Builder and Yahoo,” she said.

And as most job seekers know, a strong resume is essential.

“Tailor the resume and letter to each individual job; the days of sending 50 resumes with a click of a key are gone,” Lingrell said.

Job seekers should also understand that unemployment remains high and job-growth rates are low, but opportunities do still exist.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, hiring of entry-level candidates has increased 5 percent over last spring.

“Candidates need to be realistic about job openings. There are peak industries and even companies doing competitive hiring. Knowledge of this is crucial,” Lingrell said.

The job search is deliberate but does not need to be desperate, Lingrell said. Candidates should seek guidance from mentors and others with whom they wish to network in the job market.

But it’s important to maintain professional protocol.

“The day after graduation, candidates can’t transmit a Facebook or Linked In status that blurts,’Yea! I’m a graduate – please hire me!’ ” Lingrell said.

Ultimately, face-to-face connections, keywords on resumes and “sweating the small stuff,” during every stage of the search is going to help make graduating candidates stand out, Lingrell said.

Visit Pluto

A demonstration/lecture featuring constellations, a tour of the outer planets and cryogenics will be held at the University of West Georgia on Friday, May 14 from 7 pm - 8:30 pm in the Crider Math-Physics Lecture Hall.

The presentation is free and open to the public. It's suitable for age 6 years and up.

It will be presented by Dr. Ben DeMayo, professor emeritus of physics.

For more information call 678-839-4087 or 678-839-4097

UWG Professor's Technology could be a Game Changer

Instead of using water, spin those oil sands. That technology, designed by a physics professor at the University of West Georgia, has the potential of being a game-changer for extracting oil from sand.

READ MORE:

http://www.akbizmag.com/alaska-news/3608-georgia-professors-technology-could-be-a-game-changer-for-oil-sands.html

UWG Grad Nominated to State Board

Gov. Sonny Perdue announced recently that he is recommending State

Rep. Mike Coan as Administrator of the Subsequent Injury Trust Fund (SITF). If confirmed by the SITF Board, Coan would replace former Administrator Richard McGee, who retired

in March.

The Georgia Subsequent Injury Trust Fund provides reimbursements and information to employers, insurers, and their agents, in those Workers’ Compensation claims

involving individuals with a pre-existing, permanent impairment.

“As chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee and Secretary of the

Insurance Committee, Mike is deeply knowledgeable of SITF issues,” said Perdue. “He will ably

guide the administration of the fund to properly process the claims that have been filed.”

Coan represents the 101st District in the Georgia House of

Representatives. Coan is the Chairman of the House Industrial Relations

Committee. He was first elected to the

General Assembly in 1996. He is also a member of the Appropriations, Banks &

Banking, Rules, and Insurance Committees.

Coan graduated from the University of West Georgia with a degree in business

management, and then returned to his home in Gwinnett County to begin his

professional career in

commercial construction. He and his wife, Hope, have three children, Autumn,

Madison, and Grace. They attend Meadow Baptist Church in Lawrenceville

Hoops Hijinks at UWG

The Harlem Globetrotters played a charity basketball game at UWG Coliseum against a Carroll County Community All Star Team. Check out the photos below.

PHOTOS BY DAN LINEBACK

UWG Grad Competing in Biggest Loser Challenge

Your chance to vote for Joan Clipp of Lilburn, Ga. for Atlanta's biggest loser. Joan is a UWG grad.

What: A local Atlanta version of a weight loss challenge based on

the national NBC TV show, The Biggest Loser.

Joan has lost the highest percentage of weight on her

team, and she needs your vote!

When to vote: Wed., May 5 (after noon)

Thursday, May 6 (all day)

Friday, May 7 (till 10 a.m.)

Where: www.atlbiggestloser.com

to cast your vote during the times above, and see Joan’s weigh-in video.

Coming Soon! May 5-7th, 2010

Your Chance to Vote for Joan Clipp of Lilburn, GA

and help make her the next

Atlanta’s Biggest Loser!

Vote

for

Joan!