Wolves blast Albany State in season opener

The 2012 season kicked off with a bang on Monday afternoon at Lady Rams Park as the UWG softball team won the season opener in grand fashion with a 10-3 stomping of Albany State. In the nightcap, the Wolves continued the hit parade with an 18-3 victory.

New head coach Mandy Harris started her era with a 1-0 record at West Georgia on the back of a familiar face to Wolves' fans in sophomore Nicole Yancey. The Carrollton native belted two home runs, including a sixth-inning grand slam, to lead the UWG offensive in a 10-run outburst.

The UWG scoring started in the first inning, as Yancey led off the game with a double down the right-field line. Senior Jen Culberson moved her over to third on a sacrifice bunt, followed by an RBI single from center fielder Megan Garcia.

The Wolves continued the scoring in the second inning, as freshman Ashley Langleydelivered a two-out single, then promptly stole second base. Yancey then brought home the second run of the season with a single down the left-field line, giving the Wolves a 2-0 lead.

After Albany State plated three runs in the bottom of the second, the Wolves took their turn to break the game open in the top of the third.

Read the whole story at: UWGsports.com

Endowment in Women's Studies at UWG Established

A $25,000 endowment for the Women’s Studies program at the University of West Georgia has been established.

The Women’s Studies program at UWG is a minor and courses are interdisciplinary. Recipients of the Menkes Family Women’s Scholarship will receive their awards after they complete the Introduction to Women’s Studies course and declare the program as their minor. They must also write an essay about the importance of women’s studies.

At least one award, totaling up to $1,400, will be given each academic year. Recipients will receive $100 for each women’s studies course completed, up to a maximum of four. After graduation, recipients will receive $1,000.

Michael Menkes, a graduate student in criminology, funded the scholarship. He gave an additional $5,000 to fund scholarships during the first two academic years. Last spring, Menkes created a women’s studies scholarship and eight students received awards. The present endowment replaces that scholarship.

The money will help ease the financial burden on students at a time of rising education costs and diminishing financial aid resources, said Tiffany Parsons, director of the program. Many students at UWG work full or part time and receive financial aid, she said. The money may mean not having to work an extra shift to pay for their classes.

“It helps them study, gives them time to study. And it helps them get started with $1,000, that’s a lot of money to a new grad,” Parsons said.

“To know that at least one student a year for eternity will be able to receive this award is great for women’s studies. It’s great for the university, and it’s great for the College of Social Sciences.”

For scholarship details please contact Parsons at tparsons@westga.edu.