UWG Opera to Perform "Carmen"

Work by noted artist Steve Penley will grace the stage of the UWG Opera’s upcoming production of “Carmen.” Formetco, the outdoor advertising giant based in Duluth, will use a proprietary process to transform the paintings into 22-foot-by-45-foot scenic drops for the production of Georges Bizet’s 19th century opera.

UWG students sing the principal roles of one of the most popular operas in the world. The singers include: Abigail Dawkins, soprano, as Carmen; Alex McCurdy, tenor, as Don Jose; Robby Vizurraga, bass-baritone, as Escamillo the Toreador; Joy Anderson, soprano, as Michaela; and Travis Watkins, bass-baritone, as Lt. Zuniga. The cigarette factory women are played by: Chaneya Joiner, soprano; Ashley Quartey, soprano; Kernetia Barnes, soprano; and Rebekah Knott, mezzo-soprano.

There will be two performances at the Townsend Center for the Performing Arts: Thursday, March 8, at 8:15 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.$10 adults, $7 senior citizens, $5 non-UWG students, $3 children 12 and under, free for UWG students with ID. For more info contact Dr. Larry Frazier at 9-6265.

Little Town of Bethlehem film

An inspiring true story of three men in a land gripped by fear, hatred and division. Expected to be enemies, they instead use nonviolence to find solutions to the conflict. Sponsored by Fish House, Amnesty International, and Dept. of English/Philosophy. Panel discussion will follow the viewing. The viewing will be held in the Crider Lecture Hall located in the Boyd Building, Tuesday, Feb. 28. The event will begin at 6:30 PM and end at 9 PM. Admission is free and open to UWG community and the public. No ticket required. For more information, contact Dr. David Newton at 678-839-4877 or dnewton@westga.edu.

UWG Online Announces February Newsletter

The Department of Distance and Distributed Education and UWG Online produce a monthly newsletter referring to current news, training opportunities, faculty and departmental accomplishments, as well as resources and professional development opportunities regarding distance education and online instruction.

UWG Online February Newsletter:

http://uwgfdc.wiki.westga.edu/file/view/februaryfinal.pdf

UWG Online Newsletter Wiki Archive:

http://uwgfdc.wiki.westga.edu/Newsletter

The King and I

By Josh Sewell
Researcher of Film and Television Trends

Stephen King is arguably the most famous writer in the world, so calling him my favorite author isn’t exactly a revolutionary statement. I could say I prefer some obscure novelist who is beloved by the literary elite, but I’d be lying. He went right to the top of my list when I read It at 12, and he has remained there ever since.

So imagine how excited I was to learn that King would be giving the closing address at the Savannah Book Festival earlier this month. A select few would even get to have a book signed, something the author rarely does. I ordered my ticket in October — the event sold out in less than two hours — and started counting down the days.

When Feb. 19 arrived, I showed up outside the Trustees Theater in Savannah several hours before the event, hoping I’d get a chance to meet the horror icon. I struck up a conversation with the nice couple in front of me (who drove all the way from Niagara, N.Y., putting my measly four-hour drive to shame) and the time flew by. After the doors opened and the crowd filed in, I found myself holding the equivalent to Willy Wonka’s golden ticket. I was going to meet one of my literary heroes.

King’s address was terrific. He began by discussing how weird it was to be recognized in public, as he believed that writers were sort of the secret agents of the creative world. When he mentioned one of his books during a story and the audience clapped for it, he got a puzzled look on his face and said it felt like he was supposed to play “Free Bird” now.

He went on to explain how life always has a way of keeping his ego in check: the first time he was asked for an autograph, it was in a posh Pennsylvania restaurant. However, it was an elderly bathroom attendant making the request while King was otherwise occupied in a stall.

The author also mentioned that he spends a lot of time at Fenway Park, rooting on his beloved Boston Red Sox, and sometimes he dons a baseball cap and sunglasses to keep from getting recognized. Usually, he said, that ends with an 8-year-old kid yelling, “Look, mom! It’s Stephen King wearing a hat and sunglasses!”

King’s talk included several other hilarious anecdotes, along with fascinating observations about his craft and a tantalizing preview of Dr. Sleep, his upcoming sequel to The Shining. He even took questions from the audience for about 20 minutes.

After that, it was time for the book signing, which he warned would be an assembly line process since he had so many to get through. As we lined up by ticket number, I got my selection ready – a limited 25th anniversary edition of It that my parents got me for Christmas. Why not pick the book that kicked off my King appreciation?

The line kept getting shorter and I still didn’t know how I was going to handle the encounter. Do I just hand him the book and say thanks? Do I attempt a clever line, knowing he’s probably heard it a million times before?

Then it was my turn and I was still clueless. My feet took me to the table and my brain continued to melt down. Someone with the festival handed him my book, he looked up at me and something came out of my mouth on its own…

“You probably get this a lot, but you’re the reason I became a writer. Thanks for that.”

He smiled and said he was glad to hear it. Then he scribbled his signature on the book, handed it back to me and I was walking out of the building. The whole thing lasted less than 15 seconds. But I walked — heck, more like floated — back to my hotel with a big, goofy grin on my face and a story I’d get to tell for the rest of my life.

(Photo by SavannahNow.com)

The Band Perry to Play at UWG

The Band Perry will perform live at the University of West Georgia Coliseum on Sunday, April 22 as part of its Purveyors of Performance Tour 2012. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 7 p.m.
The show will also feature a performance by special guest The Lost Trailers.
The Band Perry is a Grammy-nominated country act — featuring siblings Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry — that saw its debut album go platinum, selling more than one million copies.
The group is best known for its two No. 1 singles, “If I Die Young” and “All Your Life,” as well as the gold-certified “You Lie.” The group is nominated this year for ACM Vocal Group of the year to be announced at the 2012 ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 1.
Ticket sales begin March 5 for those with a UWG ID, and March 12 for the general public. Tickets can be purchased at the Coliseum box office, the Townsend Center box office, by calling 678-839-4722 or by visiting Townsendcenter.org.
Prices are $10 in advance or $15 on the day of the show for those with a UWG ID, and $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the show for the general public.
All tickets are subject to sales tax.
The Townsend Center and The Coliseum box offices are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cash, Visa or MasterCard are accepted.

Did You Know?

Did You Know? Undergraduate Class Section and Size at UWG: The number of unduplicated, undergraduate class sections offered (including online but excluding independent study courses) at UWG has grown by 21 percent from 1,317 in fall 2007 to 1,599 in fall 2011. The pace of growth in the number of class sections is responsive to the increasing student enrollment. The number of class sections with 30 or more enrolled students increased from 407 in fall 2007 (i.e. 31 percent of all class sections) to 466 in fall 2011 (i.e. 29 percent of all class sections). In relative terms, this indicates that the enrolled students’ growth has not resulted in a proportional increase in larger class sections. On the other hand, the average class size varies by the course level, with more students enrolled in lower-level courses than in higher-level courses. The 5-year average class sizes for the lower-level and upper-level courses are 34 and 22, respectively.

Learn more about student enrollment at UWG by visiting the Department of Institutional Research and Planning website. For more information, please call 678-839-6449.

Tackling the Freshman Fifteen

By Ernest Ricks

“The Freshman Fifteen” has been a curse on college campuses for decades. Many students have been able to fend off the extra pounds, but the majority fall victim to it. There are several reasons for this accelerated weight gain. Strict schedules that only allot for one or two meals a day, all-you-can-eat dining halls, lack of exercise and a lack of funds are but a few factors. Luckily, there are a few things everyone can do to shed those pounds.

The Numbers Game – 3,500. That’s how many calories are in one pound of fat. To gain one pound you’d have to have consumed 3,500 more calories than you’ve burned over ANY period of time, according to Donna Mincieli, a registered dietician specializing in counseling for weight loss, exercise and sports nutrition.

On the flip side if you burn 3,500 more calories than you consume over ANY period of time, you will lose one pound of fat.

What’s a Calorie? – Energy, plain and simple. Calories are units used to measure the amount of energy in whatever you’re eating. Think of food as energy. Before you grab a midnight snack or fast food, think about how much energy is in what you're going to eat. Ask yourself if you will be using that energy, because if not it will become fat.

Eat Often - Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and between meal snacks. Eating frequently speeds up your metabolism. Spread your allotted calories out between these meals and snacks, but don’t go over.

Drink More Water - Cold water if possible. Water dilutes fat, adds to fullness and speeds up your metabolism. Soft drinks contain lots of calories, sugars and carbohydrates that we often don’t think about and don’t use.

Eat a Big Breakfast – Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Strive for a 400-500 calorie breakfast, but make healthy choices. A hearty breakfast provides much-needed energy, starts up the metabolism and can improve your overall mood.

Scout the Cafeteria - Do a lap or two around the dining hall to consider all your options. Consider what foods you really want, and experiment with the healthy options. This prevents the spontaneous cookies, french fries and pizza slices from ending up on your plate.

Snack Smart, Snack Often – A balanced diet isn’t about going hungry. Consider 100-200 calorie snack options, like beef jerky. It's very low in fat and high in protein, which is a great addition to any exercise regimen. It’s also low in calories and helps satisfy that meat craving.

Remember, no diet is complete without exercise. One major contributing factor to student weight gain is the adoption of sedentary lifestyles. If you want to adopt a 1,500 or 2,000 calorie diet, you should couple that with an exercise regimen that fits your schedule. Remember that magic number 3,500? Just imagine if you ate 2,000 calories a day but burned 2,500. You’d lose a pound of fat every week. That’s 52 pounds a year!

African Night 2012

The University of West Georgia African Student Association presents the 5th Annual African Night 2012, “The New Era.” The event will take place March 8^th in the Campus Center Ballroom, with the red carpet starting at 7:00pm and the how starting at 8:00pm. Show includes entertainment, music, dance, fashion, food and much more.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets go on sale Monday February 27^th – March 8^th in front of the UCC (1^st 10 people to buy tickets receives a free t-shirt). Come and experience African culture for yourself.

Controversies of Culture

The next “Controversies of Culture” program will take place Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 7 PM in room 1-200 of the Technology Enhanced Learning Center (TLC). Speaking will be Dr. Faramarz Parsa on the topic “Oppression of the Bahá'í Faith in Iran.” Faculty, staff, students and the general public are welcome to attend.

For more information, contact Jack Jenkins at 678-839-5940.

UWG Admissions Office Open House

The UWG Admissions Office is proud to announce that we will be hosting an Open House to celebrate, and feature, the recently completed renovations to the Mandeville Hall lobby this Friday, February 24th from 2:00-4:00pm. This event will be open to the entire campus, so all are welcome to attend. Formal remarks will be made at 2:30 pm and light refreshments will be served. Please join us in celebrating this exciting change to such a historically significant building on campus.

For more information, contact Justin Barlow at 678-839-5651.

Juried Student Exhibition

The Department of Art will open its Juried Student Exhibition tonight in the Humanities Building. The annual exhibition gives students the chance to showcase their work.

The juror, Raymond Veon, director of fine and performing arts in the Atlanta public schools, selected 64 out of 167 submitted pieces to be displayed. Displayed works include drawings, paintings, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics. The awarded pieces will be announced at 6:30 PM.

The event tonight will begin at 6 PM and end at 8 PM. Pieces will be on display in both the first and second floor art galleries. The showcase will close on March 22.

For more information, contact the Department of Art at 678-839-6521.

Registration has Begun for UWG Pre-K

Registration at UWG's Pre-Kindergarten for the 2012-13 school year has begun. Please note there are a few changes to this process. The UWG Pre-Kindergarten is a 180 day educational program funded by the Georgia lottery, the university and reasonable tuition. Children must be age 4 by September 1, 2012, and a resident of Georgia, to be eligible for the upcoming school year. There are 66 available spots with 22 spots reserved for children of UWG faculty, staff and/or students. Because there are always more children seeking spaces in the Pre-K than there are seats available, we will use a lottery process as the fairest method of filling classes. Interested families should submit a Waiting List/Lottery Registration form in person, via USPS, e-mail and/or fax by 3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 2. The form Waiting List/Lottery Registration form is available at the Pre-K and online. The lottery will be held on Tuesday, March 6, and the families of the 66 children selected will be notified and advised of the date to return to campus to complete registration. Call 9-6563 for more information.

Dedication Ceremony Set for Thomas B. Murphy Replica Office

The University of West Georgia is proud to announce that it will hold a dedication ceremony for the new Thomas B. Murphy State Capitol Office replica at Irvine S. Ingram Library on the UWG campus on Thursday, April 19.

The ceremony begins at 2 p.m. at the Campus Center Ballroom with a dedication program, followed by a reception and tours of the Murphy Office at 3:30 p.m. at Ingram Library.

Murphy, who served 28 years as speaker of the House of Representatives in the Georgia General Assembly, donated his political papers and the memorabilia from his office to UWG in 2003, as he was retiring. University staff sorted through more than 1,500 items in assembling a replica office that was constructed as part of a major renovation of Ingram Library that was recently completed.

When he left office, Murphy had served continuously as speaker of a state house longer than any other individual in the nation’s recorded history. He died in 2007.

The ceremony will mark the official opening of the office, and is expected to draw dignitaries and friends from across the state, including current and former lawmakers and journalists. The dedication will include remarks from some of the dignitaries, as well as a video tribute to Murphy’s legacy.

Film, Discussion Look at Middle East Peace

Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6:30pm in Crider Hall (Boyd), UWG Amnesty, The Fish House (Wesleyan student group), and the English and Philosophy Department are co-sponsoring the showing of a film, "Little Town of Bethlehem," and a panel afterward.

The film is a documentary featuring the stories of a Jew, a Christian, and a Muslim who are committed to peace in the Middle East. Our panelists will reflect these three faiths, and we are hoping that students will come and engage the film and the speakers to learn both about the situation in the Middle East, but also how a commitment to peace might be important in our
national and local setting.

More than 2,000 Attended Disability Day Rally

Impromptu shouts of "nothing about us without us" and "get us out, keep us out, don't put us in" echoed through cool, rainy, Atlanta streets on Feb. 16 as advocates, family members and supporters of people with disabilities filled the grounds of the state capitol for the 14th Annual Disability Day Rally, sponsored by the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities (www.gcdd.org).

Gov. Nathan Deal and the top executive for AAPD addressed a record crowd of over 2,000 citizens from across the state. Deal pledged continued support to people with developmental disabilities in Georgia.

"Our team is hard at work to expand resources including: waivers to move individuals with developmental disabilities out of our hospitals, waivers to care for individuals with developmental disabilities currently living in the community, and increased family supports," Deal said. "We are strengthening our networks of crisis care with mobile crisis teams and crisis respite homes. We want to provide immediate, effective crisis care and these tools provide our state with a safety net to back up high-quality, person-centered care."

Mark Perriello, president and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and former White House liaison at the U.S. Department of the Interior, encouraged people with disabilities to find new ways of organizing in order to build strong institutions, and to learn how to be more effective in the corridors of power.

Referring to the more than 54 million Americans who have some type of disability, he said, "We are the largest minority group in the country and we should be the most powerful...we need to get all of you to the polls." "We have the power to transform the debate."  Perriello, visually impaired since childhood, called upon the disability community to pay close attention to critical policy issues, meet with their elected representatives, and "take your seat at the table" by getting into decision-making positions and running for office themselves.

He intermittently led the crowd to chant the motto of the Independent Living Movement, "nothing about us without us."

The historic 1999 Olmstead Decision originated in Georgia, which makes the state a focal point for disability rights. "My Life is FOR REAL!", the theme for this year's Rally, underscored the need to focus on individual supports and community-based services to get people with disabilities out of institutions and into the community. GCDD's "Real Communities" Initiative is one such innovation for community building.

"Real Communities" creates opportunities in which persons with developmental disabilities can participate more fully in every aspect of life, often by tapping into existing activities and joining with others to make life better for everyone.  The urgency to develop these community supports will increase as the population ages and as people with disabilities realize their right to live in the community rather than reside in institutions.

This right is mandated by the Olmstead Decision and reinforced by the October 2010 Department of Justice settlement with Georgia. 

At last week's rally, students from Flowery Branch High School in Hall County - Nick Dyson, Lyndzi Vaughn, and J.J. Martinez - introduced Deal. More than 650 students from across Georgia attended Disability Day at the Capitol to lend their voices and collect signatures on the Children's Freedom Initiative declar ation.

 Legislators in attendance included Rep. Sharon Beasley-Teague (D-Dist 65), Rep. Carl Rogers (R-Dist 26), and Sen. John Albers (R-Dist 56). People came in ones and twos as well as in groups of over 300 from across Georgia.

The rally, hosted by GCDD Executive Director Eric E. Jacobson and Chair Tom Seegmueller, was an opportunity to bestow awards as well as acknowledge fallen heroes.  Dr. Gerald Durley, recognized civil rights leader and pastor of the historic Providence Missionary Baptist Church of Atlanta where he works to ensure people with disabilities in the congregation are able to share their gifts, skills and abilities, honored 48 Fallen Soldiers who passed in the last year.

Margo Waters, disABILITY LINK Independent Living Coordinator, received the Georgia Outstanding Self-Advocate of the Year Award - In Loving Memory of Natalie Norwood Tumlin.  Joseph D. Frazier, Chairperson, Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc., received the Samuel Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Disability Day at the Capitol is made possible by a host of partnering organizations and volunteers from the disability community.  For a list, visit www.GCDD.org.

Among GCDD's list of public policy priorities are:
·         the Unlock The Waiting Lists! Campaign calling for funding of community based services for  over 6,000 persons on waiting lists for vital supports
·         Transportation Investment Act Referendum
·         Children's Freedom Initiative
·         Proposals to help people receive the supports they need to live and thrive in the community. 

GCDD, a federally funded independent state agency, works to bring about social and policy changes that promote opportunities for persons with developmental disabilities and their families to live, learn, work, play and worship in Georgia communities.  A developmental disability is a chronic mental and/or physical disability that occurs before age 22 and is expected to last a lifetime.

Visit www.gcdd.org for more information.

Theatre student awarded at festival

The UWG Theatre Company recently had 17 students participate in the Region IV American College Theatre Festival in Daytona, Fla. Theatre major Jared LeClaire competed in a Scenic Design competition based on his nomination for Meritorious Achievement in a production he designed last year. Thanks to the quality of his work and sophisticated design, LeClaire was honored at the festival with the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Awards for Excellence in Technology and Design award.

Winners of the award receive a full tuition grant, housing, daily breakfast and lunch as they participate in a one week master class in the area of their choice. SILV classes may include: Computer Drafting, Computer Modeling, Rigging, Automation, Props & SFX, Sound, Makeup & Masks, Wigs, Lighting Technology, Patterning, Projections & Video, and Moving Lights.

LeClaire maintains a 3.75 GPA while designing every semester and is the scene shop foreman. He has studied under Tommy Cox and Brad Darvas of the Theatre Company.

The Mardi Gras of Majors

The Mardi Gras of Majors is a festival devoted to all the different possible majors at UWG. Join us to learn about some majors you may be interested in or to discover some majors you did not know about.

Newt's Visit to Carrollton Set for Feb. 28th

Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich will bring his political campaign to Carrollton Feb. 28, his Atlanta staff confirmed Monday.

“He will be in Carrollton as part of a bus tour,” said Susan Myers, southeast communications director for Newt 2012. “We expect it to be in the late afternoon or early evening. We don’t have a definite time yet.”

Myers said the visit will include a fundraising event followed by a public rally at the University of West Georgia.

“Newt is so looking forward to seeing people he’s known and loved his whole life, where he started his political career,” she said. “This should be a very happy day for him.”

Gordon Austin, Georgia Third District chairman of Newt 2012 and a member of the Newt 2012 finance committee, said the day’s activities will begin with a $50 “Meet and Greet” fundraiser with Gingrich, his wife Callista and daughter, Jackie Gingrich Cushman.

Austin said tickets must be purchased off campus prior to the event. He said locations for ticket purchases will be announced within the next few days. He said the $50 is a suggested minimum donation, and attendees can give more. Donations of $200 and above require signing disclosure forms, he noted.

“The Meet and Greet will be followed by an open forum for students and the general public at the UWG Recreation Center Ballroom,” Austin said. “President Beheruz Sethna has been most generous in making the university available to welcome Dr. Gingrich back to where he went from teaching history to making history. This is Newt’s hometown. People here knew him as a professor, they worked with him in his early campaigns and remember him as their congressman. They want to see Newt and shake his hand.

Read more:Times-Georgian - Newt s visit to Carrollton set for Feb 28

Weekends at West Georgia

The University of West Georgia has been hard at work to dispel the notion that it’s a “suitcase school” by introducing all kinds of new events that encourage students to stay on the weekends. This effort is paying off, as a cultural shift promoting student involvement and unity has made waves at UWG.

Every week, UWG students have the opportunity to engage in social gatherings with their fellow students as well as the chance to participate in activities that offer free food, prize giveaways and other incentives.

For example, every Friday, the Wolf Radio hosts “Flashback Fridays,” inviting students to listen to ‘80s and ‘90s music, participate in dance contests, or answer trivia questions for prizes.

The Student Activities Council provides a variety of large events such as movie nights, laser tag, stand-up comedy and concerts that usually feature a celebrity guest.

Over the past year, Weekends at West Georgia has even sponsored a concert by rapper Ludacris and a stand-up comedy performance by Gabriel Iglesias.

The Center for Student Involvement recently launched a “Stay West Weekends” project that sponsors student groups that can host their own activities. These events include glow in the dark mini golf, a snow day and a music festival, with more exciting things to come. Each “Stay West” event is free and often includes free T-shirts and food.

The idea behind these projects is not as simple as providing a weekend diversion. These organizations are promoting a vibrant collegiate atmosphere that encourages students to relax and have fun while simultaneously rewarding them for their hard work in their studies.

These programs are a bold step in changing the culture of this fast-growing institution. Now, before students pack up to visit Mom and Dad, they can first check out what’s happening on campus.

Using Wikipedia for Research? Be Very Careful!

The Top 10 Reasons Students Cannot Cite or Rely On Wikipedia

October 27, 2011 08:00 AM

by Mark E. Moran

Wikipedia provides Internet users with millions of articles on a broad range of topics, and commonly ranks first in search engines. But its reliability and credibility fall well short of the standards for a school paper. According to Wikipedia itself, “[W]hile some articles are of the highest quality of scholarship, others are admittedly complete rubbish. … use [Wikipedia] with an informed understanding of what it is and what it isn't.”

To help you develop such an understanding, we present 10 reasons you can't rely on information in Wikipedia.

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10. You must never fully rely on any one source for important information.
Everyone makes mistakes. All scholarly journals and newspapers contain “corrections” sections in which they acknowledge errors in their prior work. And even the most neutral writer is sometimes guilty of not being fully objective. Thus, you must take a skeptical approach to everything you read.

READ MORE

UWG Men Fall Short in Pensacola

UWG junior guard Quincy Hill put his team squarely on his shoulders Thursday evening in Pensacola, Fla., but it was too little, too late, as the Wolves fell by a 60-57 count to the West Florida at UWF Field House in Gulf South Conference action.

The game had major implications for the postseason, as the win makes both teams 6-6 in conference action. In the South Region rankings that came out on Wednesday, West Georgia was ranked fourth and West Florida just behind at sixth.

The Wolves came close on multiple occasions during this one, but never was able to take the lead. The Argos came out of the box running, building a 14-7 advantage in the first five minutes of action. West Georgia came right back, pulling to within three at 14-11 before West Florida went on a 5-0 run from 14:08 until a Gavin Field layup broke the drought at the 10:28 mark.

In the final 10 minutes of the first half, the Argos pushed their advantage out to as much as 10 points and a Lavon Gray layup with 13 seconds left in the period cut the UWF advantage to 36-28 heading into the locker room.

Read More at: UWGSports.com

Prospective Students Explore Science and Math at UWG

The College of Science and Mathematics hosted its first College for a Day recently, offering some three dozen high school students a sampling of courses.

The juniors and seniors from throughout metro Atlanta learned the basics of honeybees and beekeeping. They explored winter plants and urban meteorology. They pondered extra-terrestrial chemistry, the Fibonacci series and the Golden Ratio. The one-hour classes also included sessions on magnetism, prehistoric animals, the inherent dangers of unencrypted data and the joy of programming a simple robot. The courses were developed and taught by 12 college faculty members, representing the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics and Physics.

“We wanted to give them an idea of the topics that students study and the teaching style of the professors,” said Dr. Scott Gordon, an associate dean in the college. UWG reorganized its colleges in 2011.

“I think it was a successful event,” said Gordon, who is a mathematics professor. He noted that the students drove to campus on Feb. 11 – one the coldest days of the year to enjoy the sampling of courses, receive a tour of campus, and pick up lunch at Z-6.

The idea for the event was conceived by Dr. Bruce Landman, dean of the college, as a way to attract students who are interested in the sciences to enroll at UWG.

After the visit to campus, several students e-mailed Gordon, who hopes to host another College for a Day event later this year.

“I love the interaction in the chemistry course, the smart materials,” wrote Lauren Bridges, a junior at South Paulding High School.

“I love hands-on things and it really caught my attention. I love chemistry, so I was going to double major in chemistry and psychology. I had been pretty set on going to West Georgia but after seeing the campus and visiting. I fell in love and I can't wait to go there in a year and a half! Thanks for a great day!"

Original Freedom Rider to Visit

Charles Person, an original Freedom Rider, will speak at the University of West Georgia on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

The program, “College Students: An Integral Part of the Civil Rights Movement. Could you Get on the Bus?” begins at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom-108.1.

It is free and open to the public.

In 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) arranged for a group of interested and committed college students to ride Trailways and Greyhound buses throughout the South. These courageous students were trained in the ways of non-violence to bring awareness to the unequal plight of blacks in the South.

Person, one of the youngest freedom riders, and others were severely beaten during the rides.

Come and listen to the first-hand account. This event is sponsored by UWG’s Office of Institutional Diversity. For additional information call 678-839-5400

WGTC Criminology Students Will Get a Break When They Transfer to UWG

WGTC Criminology Students Will Get a Break When They Transfer to UWG

Criminology students who transfer to the University of West Georgia from West Georgia Technical College will get full credit for five basic courses thanks to a recent agreement signed by officials from both schools.

“The agreement makes it easier for them to transfer and to continue their education,” said David Jenks, chairman of UWG’s Department of Criminology. “Now we have consistency.”

USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby has called for greater cooperation among educators.

Georgia’s Higher Education Completion Plan calls for more cooperation between the University System of Georgia and the Technical College System of Georgia. Jenks and Louis Shepard, the chair of the Criminal Justice Program at West Georgia Tech, took that as a call to action.

Jenks and Shepard talked about the courses – and their content – that the two schools have in common to draw up the agreement. The agreement is effective immediately.

The transferable courses from West Georgia Tech are: Introduction to Criminal Justice; Criminology (Survey of Criminology at UWG); Principals of Law Enforcement (UWG’s Introduction to Law Enforcement); Criminal Procedure; and Juvenile Justice (UWG’s Juvenile Delinquency).

“This is a goal of our college,” said N. Jane McCandless, dean of UWG’s College of Social Sciences. “One of the goals of this college is to really connect with our community and to connect with other educators in our community.”

Pat Hannon, vice president for academic affairs at WGTC, said the agreement was groundbreaking. He noted that many of WGTC’s nursing students go on to UWG.

“We have lots of students who want to continue their education and making that opportunity seamless is extraordinary,” Hannon said. “We are delighted.”

After obtaining their two-year degrees, many of Shepard’s students enter the workforce. Then they decide to continue their education.

“I love teaching. I love educating,” Shepard said. “I love for my students to have other venues and avenues to progress.”

Wolves ranked fourth in South Region

The West Georgia Wolves’ hopes of returning to the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament received a boost Wednesday. West Georgia was rated fourth in the season’s first Division II South Region rankings of the season.

The ratings are the primary tool used to determine the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament. In the South Region, automatic berths are awarded to the champions of league tourneys in the Gulf South, Sunshine State and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conferences. The remaining five spots go to the five highest rated teams remaining, as determined by the South Region Advisory Committee.

The Wolves are one of five teams in the Gulf South Conference in this first ranking. Christian Brothers tops the list, followed by Alabama-Huntsville in second and West Georgia fourth. UWG's Thursday opponent, West Florida, checks in at sixth place in the first ranking and North Alabama is eighth.

Region rankings will be released each of the next two Wednesdays. Tournament selections will be announced on Sunday, March 4.

West Georgia is 19-6 on the season, with three regular season games remaining. The Wolves return to action Thursday night in Pensacola, vs. West Florida.

Source: UWGSports.com

UWG Earns Tree Campus USA Designation

The University of West Georgia has earned Tree Campus USA recognition from the Arbor Day Foundation. The designation recognizes UWG’s dedication to campus tree care and protection and environmental stewardship and community outreach.

Tree Campus USA is a national program of the Arbor Day Foundation that honors colleges and universities for promoting healthy management of their campus forests and for engaging the community in environmental stewardship.

To earn the Tree Campus USA status, the UWG Facilities and Grounds department met core standards of tree care and community engagement. The Grounds department facilitated an Arbor Day tree planting along the new Stadium Drive in February 2011 and an Earth Day tree planting on Front Campus Drive in April.

The student volunteers planted more than 100 trees during these two events.

The Grounds department maintains an ongoing tree inventory of campus trees, recording location, size, health, pruning needs, and overall quality of more than 3,000 trees.

With the help of geosciences student Georgia Lofquist, grounds officials continue to expand the tree inventory and expect to have mapped the entire campus within the next year. A campus tree advisory committee was established to guide and give advice on tree care policies and to provide support on issues related to campus tree management.

The tree advisory board members are Dr. Hannes Gerhardt, Professor, UWG Department of Geosciences, Cindy Haygood, District Conservationist, U.S. Department of Agriculture-NRCS, James Hembree, Landscape Superintendent-Arborist, UWG Facilities & Grounds, Georgia Lofquist, Student Representative, UWG, and Dr. Shea Rose, Professor, UWG Department of Geosciences. The committee will meet biannually to review policies, assess goals, and plan community initiatives.

The university continues to engage the community with outreach opportunities. On Feb. 19, UWG will work with students from the Center for Student Involvement’s Leadership Program, the Geography Honor Society Gamma Theta Upsilon, and the student-led Mind Body Research Group to plant 50 Dogwoods along the Forest Drive corridor of campus. The dogwoods are a newly developed cultivar that is resistant to the dogwood anthracnose disease that is killing large quantities of dogwoods all along the East Coast and into northern Georgia. The grounds department is also providing opportunities for a student vegetable garden on campus.

The university plants many trees every year. Tree planting is one of many sustainable practices done in an effort to create and maintain a greener campus. UWG aims to maintain its status as a Tree Campus USA member for years to come. The university hopes the campus community as well as the greater surrounding community will continue to support its combined efforts to provide a safe and environmentally healthy campus for all.

GoUWG -- There's an App for Wolves

 The University of West Georgia is excited to announce the launch today of brand new mobile apps, GoUWG, that will work on iPhone and iPad touch, BlackBerry, Android and just about everything else. You can connect with UWG resources on the go with a free download from the Apple App Store, Android Market, BlackBerry App World or by launching the mobile web version. You can do such things as organize your academic schedule, locate places, search the campus directory for faculty and staff, find out about campus events and check Wolves' scores, schedules and other sports news.  For more information, visit: http://www.westga.edu/mobile/

Boys & Girls Club of Carroll County add UWG's Rob Douthit to Board of Directors

Boys & Girls Club of Carroll County installs Rob Douthit as newest member of Board of Directors. Douthit is Director of Media Relations at the University of West Georgia. Pictured L to R: Sandra Morris, Board President, Mr. Douthit and Jermaine Jackson, Chairman of the Board Development Committee.

Boys & Girls Club of Carroll County honor Board Member of the Year

Boys & Girls Club of Carroll County Board of Directors honors Jermaine Jackson as Board Member of the Year. Mr. Jackson of Walmart.com is Board Development Chair and instrumental in fundraising activities. Pictured L to R: Sandra Morris, Board President, Mr. Jackson and Kristi Garrett, Resource Development Chair.

Working with Colleges for Financial Aid

Many families assume their search for college cash ends when they file the FAFSA. That's really just the beginning -- here's what to know after you hit submit:

Remind me again. What's the EFC? EFC stands for Expected Family Contribution. This is what you and your family can afford to pay for college, at least according to Congress. This figure is based on the information you provide on your free federal aid application, FAFSA.

What do colleges do with this number? They use your EFC as the starting place to build your financial aid package. If your EFC is $8,000, and the college costs $15,000 to attend, the college will try to find the $7,000 you need to go there. If College B costs $20,000 to attend, they'll try to find the $12,000 you need to be a student there. If College C costs $6,000, they won't be finding any money for you, since FAFSA indicates you can pay that much on your own.

My EFC is way too high -- there's no way I can afford this much for college. What can I do? If you have a money issue FAFSA doesn't take into consideration, financial aid officers can use "professional discretion" and offer more financial support. This is one reason why some colleges offer you more aid than others. Be ready to provide documentation to support your situation, and don't be afraid to ask.

How do colleges help me pay for college? Most colleges offer three kinds of financial aid: grants, or money you are given that you don't have to pay back under most circumstances; work study, where you take a part-time job at the college to pay off part of your tuition; loans, where you're offered a low-interest loan you usually don't have to start paying off until you're out of school.

Will my financial aid be mostly loans? Over the past 10 years, more and more colleges are giving bigger loans as a part of financial aid, while other colleges have eliminated loans all together. If loans are part of your financial aid package, ask the college about the terms of repayment, and make sure you look at other options.

Like what? This is where private scholarships can be a big help. If you win a $500 scholarship from your local chamber of commerce, you should report it to your college. Most colleges (that's most colleges) will then take $500 off of the loan part of your financial aid package. They'll keep doing this until your loan part is gone, so look for those private scholarships -- they can make a huge difference!

Do I have to accept an entire financial aid package, or can I just take the grants and work study? You have the right to take, reduce or turn down any part of a college's financial aid offer. Students often turn down the loan portion, or accept only part of it, and decide they will work more during summers and weekends. Other students decide not to take the work study part of the package, at least for first semester -- this gives them a chance to focus on their studies.

Do colleges have to meet all of my aid? Unfortunately, many colleges don't have enough money to meet 100 percent of the financial needs of all students, and other colleges don't meet all of your need as a strategy to see if you can't pay more of your own way. Many colleges will advertise they meet all need as an incentive for students to apply; if you don't know, ask.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/patrick-oconnor/financial-aid-advice_b_1272017.html?ref=college&ir=College

Article by Patrick O'Conner