In most ways, Shadarius Stokes is a typical college student. A sophomore studying marketing at the University of West Georgia (UWG), he juggles classes, leisure time, and a job at a local retail store that covers the bills. However, Shadarius’ schedule also includes an obligation most students don’t have – one that soon will help with his expenses.
The university recently announced it will waive required institutional fees for active duty service members and reservists who receive tuition assistance.
The action, which takes effect in time for the fall semester, will help many who otherwise could not afford to attend classes. Read more ...
The University of West Georgia Panhellenic Council has been recognized at the regional Southeastern Panhellenic Conference for their excellence in the areas of public relations and Panhellenic relations. The UWG Panhellenic Council promotes students’ success in scholarship, leadership, community service, friendships, and social opportunities.
“Our Panhellenic community has done extensive public relations through different medias and printed publications,” said Michael Steele, director for fraternity and sorority life at UWG and advisor of social Greek organizations governing councils, including the Panhellenic Council. “We are very thankful to the guidance and support of University Communications and Marketing along the way.” Read more ...
In the past year, the University of West Georgia lost 18 members of its family. Those lives were remembered recently in the annual Memorial Service held in the Alumni Garden. Family members, faculty and staff, and community members gathered at the service to remember the lives of six students and 12 faculty and staff members.
“The University of West Georgia considers itself to be a family, a wonderful connection among faculty, staff, students, and community,” said Dr. Kyle Marrero, university president. “When we lose a member of our family, we want to pause and celebrate that life.” Read more ...
The University of West Georgia has a $518 million regional economic impact, according to an annual study released by the University of System of Georgia. The fiscal year 2015 economic impact study measures direct and indirect spending that contributes to the regions served 31 state universities and college.
“For UWG to succeed, we must help our community, region, and state succeed,” said UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero. “We are committed to driving economic growth in our region and to working with our friends and partners to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share in that prosperity.” Read more ...
The University of West Georgia Housing and Residence Life is excited to announce a new partnership with the Education Realty Trust (EDR), the second largest off-campus student housing company in the United States. Together, this partnership aims at increasing retention, progression, and graduation, as UWG’s support services are expanding outside of the traditional campus boundaries.
UWG’s goal is that the agreement will allow students who choose to reside off-campus to continue receiving support and guidance, similar to that offered while living on-campus. Currently, the two apartment complexes in partnership are Carrollton Crossing and River Pointe. Read more ...
The University of West Georgia recently held its annual Big Night, an evening of student scholarship. The event recognized and celebrated the dedicated students involved in faculty-sponsored undergraduate research. This was a record-breaking year for Big Night, with nearly 60 poster presentations.
“Big Night is a celebration of the research and creative efforts of our students, work that usually takes place 'behind the scenes' of the day-to-day experiences of our students,” said Dr. Nicholas Sterling, emcee and assistant professor of physics. “This evening highlighted the talent of our student body, and of the students that go above and beyond in their education.” Read more ...
Professor of Marketing and President Emeritus of the University of West Georgia Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna gave a speech during TEDxDouglasville, an independently organized TED event where speakers’ talks followed this year’s theme: pioneering and building.
TED Talks began in 1984 and allowed speakers to talk about technology, entertainment, and design (TED). Since then, the events have grown to include almost any topic as long as it’s “an idea worth spreading.” Read more ...
The University of West Georgia debate team left their mark in New York after yet another successful season. The team completed the season at the National Debate Tournament, hosted at Binghamton University, March 31-April 4. UWG Debate received two invitations based on prior performances during the season.
Hakeem Muhammad, a senior from Chicago, and Khalid Sharif, a junior from Utah, were deemed one of the top 13 teams in the nation. They were qualified for the NDT after receiving a first round at-large bid, making them one of the top 16 teams in the country. Those rankings revealed that Hakeem and Khalid were placed as the 13th team in the nation after the end of the regular season. Read more ...
There’s a new fraternity on campus and they’re ready for you, UWG. Meet the Founding Fathers of Phi Delta Theta’s newest chapter. Comprised of 55 men at the University of West Georgia, together they are the Georgia Eta Colony.
Zach Hilliard and BJ Nelson, leadership consultants, have been at the university for eight weeks recruiting members to begin their journey as Founding Fathers. On March 6, 2016 UWG welcomed Phi Delta Theta during their ceremony. Family, friends, the Greek community, along with Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Michael Steele, Phi Delta Theta alumni, and Georgia Gamma Phis from Mercer University were in attendance to celebrate these men. Read more ...
The University of West Georgia believes it is easy being green, and it is evident throughout its practices and accolades. In 2015, the institution earned a bronze star rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). UWG participates in eco-friendly causes such as Arbor Day, Tree Campus USA, and Recycle Mania and also includes sustainability as one of its core values.
“The Center for Sustainability is working to put this core value into practice in the way the university operates,” said Dr. Hannes Gerhardt, associate professor of geosciences and director of sustainability. “Part of this is raising awareness about how to be more sustainable by, for example riding your bike, saving energy, appreciating the nature around you, and learning more about how humans impact the environment.” Read more ...
UWG's Center for Public History and Office of Community Engagement recently created an exhibit titled, “A Safe Haven: Responding to Hurricane Katrina.” The exhibit explores UWG and the Carrollton community’s compassionate response to Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
When tragedy struck, most of these people lost everything they owned. They did not just lose their houses and material possessions. They lost their sense of home, their community, and the places where so many memories were made. UWG served as a resource where evacuees could feel safe, connect with others, and find hope for brighter days ahead. Read more ...
Every spring, each college at the University of West Georgia invites its best and brightest undergraduates to present their research to a panel of judges. The winner from each college then moves on to Big Night, where they represent their colleges in a university-wide competition.
This year’s Big Night will be held April 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the UWG Campus Center Ballroom. The following students’ presentations placed in their respective colleges’ competitions. Read more ...
The University of West Georgia’s Center of Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) recently partnered with the Anthropology department as well as the Student Government Association for the Seventh Annual Multicultural Festival. The event took place in UWG’s Campus Center Ballroom, welcoming hundreds of curious students, faculty, and staff members. Organizers said the goal of the event was to encourage students to interact with each other and familiarize themselves with other cultures.
“I want students to get involved and participate,” said Doris Kieh, program coordinator of CDI. “It’s a great way to learn about different cultures in an intimate setting.” Read more ...
At four years old, a young boy skipped school for the first time. Little did he know that in that moment, he would discover his life’s passion. On that day, his father took him to his business shop where he specialized in creating custom furniture. Together they began constructing more than just materials – they began building his future.
Ian Voegtlin is a freshman at the University of West Georgia, double majoring in mechanical engineering and applied mathematics. He was born in the countryside of Switzerland but moved to the United States at age 12. His father, a carpenter, and his mother, a musician, together created an incredible skill set that Ian takes pride in. He designs, builds and sells custom guitars. Read more ...
Jim Grimsley, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and two-time Georgia Author of the Year will be speaking about his memoir, How I Shed My Skin: Unlearning the Racist Lessons of a Southern Childhood, on Wednesday, March 23, at 7 p.m. in the University of West Georgia’s Campus Center Ballroom. There will be a question and answer session at the conclusion of the talk followed by a reception and opportunity to meet the author. This talk is presented as a part of the UWG Center for Diversity and Inclusion’s Multicultural Book Selection for Spring 2016. The public is invited and there is no admission fee. Read more ...
The University of West Georgia was recently named one the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs in 2016. This marks the third consecutive year that UWG received the recognition from The Center for Higher Education Enterprise. This year, UWG joins only 18 other universities that also made the list.
“This award is a testament to the great work that is being done by everyone in the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management,” said Dr. Scot Lingrell, vice president of student affairs. “It’s one of the great outcomes of helping students be as successful as possible. That is the most important thing, and it is what we strive for every day.” Read more ...
On March 21, the University of West Georgia’s Multicultural Achievement Program (MAP) will host its 32nd academic awards ceremony honoring the scholastic excellence of minority students at UWG. The event will take place in the Campus Center Ballroom at 7 p.m. Ashley Lewis, associate director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, is coordinating the event.
Ceremony Honors Minority Students’ Success“This is my eighth year coordinating the MAP Awards,” said Ashley. “I love having the opportunity to recognize our students for their hard work.” Read more ...
Over 45 years ago, Chester Gibson turned the University of West Georgia’s debate club into a highly competitive debate team, which began winning tournaments across the nation. Now, UWG is one of the top sixteen teams awarded the “First-Round At-Large Bid” to the National Debate Tournament. For the 10th time this century, the debate team has been ranked in the top 16 in the nation at the end of the regular season.
“We are pleased to not only be within the top 16 teams in the nation, but also to have this accomplishment over 10 times since 1999,” said Director of Debate Dr. Michael Hester. Read more ...
Random acts of kindness are far and few between, especially when it comes to large gifts. But custodial employee Destiny Circle can now say she was a witness to one of those acts of kindness, after receiving a donated car from an anonymous coworker.
A couple of months ago, Destiny totaled her car while driving home from her church in Sandy Springs on Highway 78. She was given a rental car from her insurance company. However, once the policy stopped paying for the rental, Destiny couldn’t afford to pay for a rental out-of-pocket. So she started walking to work. Read more ...
To deny yourself the opportunity to learn about your heritage is to deprive yourself of learning who you truly are. To better understand black history, The University of West Georgia’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) recently hosted an evening filled with celebration and culture. With the support of Africana Studies and African American Studies Minor, the department presented the Gullah Geechee Gathering in honor of Black History Month. The event served as a reminder that black history is not limited to just one community.
Gullah Geechee is the name of African people who live mainly in the coastal regions of the United States, all the way from southeastern North Carolina to northeastern Florida. Read more ...
Most people would not think to use comedy and casual conversation to discuss intense dialogues about diversity and social justice, especially gender and the oppression of it. For Sam Killermann, it is not only a worldwide problem that needs to be addressed, but it is also a personal struggle he has faced almost his entire life.
He discussed these issues and potential ways of overcoming them in his show “It’s Pronounced Metrosexual” when he visited the University of West Georgia. Read more ...
The fifth of February at the University of West Georgia was a night to remember as around 500 locals and university students and staff, including UWG President Dr. Kyle Marrero, gathered in the Campus Center to celebrate diversity at the college with the 32nd annual International Night. This event has become synonymous with the campus culture and has brought the community and the university closer every year.
Attendees were served food from several different countries made by the international students who attend UWG. Read more ...
The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has upgraded UWG’s classification to Doctoral Research University R3. The classification, released in February, places UWG among a higher class of institutions for its research work for the first time in the institution’s history. Only seven other Georgia institutions of higher learning qualify for doctoral university status. UWG is an R3 (moderate research) category, which is comparable to four of the other doctoral universities of the eight in the state.
“The Carnegie designation as a R3 or doctoral granting institution is a historic moment in the history of West Georgia and one that many of us have worked toward for years,” said Dr. Micheal Crafton. Read more ...
The librarians at the University of West Georgia have completed processing the papers of the late Dr. William G. Roll to its special collections. Dr. Roll’s work—which consists of more than 200 boxes of research papers, photographs, notes, and objects such as silverware supposedly bent by the human mind—was donated to Ingram Library by his wife, Lydia Roll. The collection was given as a tribute to the many contributions Dr. Roll attributed to the parapsychological field here at UWG while serving as a faculty member from the ‘80s until his retirement in the ‘00s.
“This was our first big parapsychological collection,” said Candice Larson, archivist for Special Collections at the Ingram Library. “It focuses on poltergeists, and Roll argues that they’re not ghosts but a product of a troubled mind.” Read more ...
Private Presidential Pathways, a collection of candid presidential photographs by the late New York Times photographer George Tames, will be on exhibit at the University of West Georgia’s Ingram Library from February 8 through March 4. As part of the gallery, Dr. Bruce Schulman, William Huntington Professor of History at Boston University, will present Three Elections that Reshaped the Presidency and the Nation – 1964, 1968, 1972, on Tuesday, February 23, at 11:00 a.m. in the Ingram Library. The exhibit and project are sponsored by the Ingram Library’s Penelope Melson Society.
Tames, the New York Times White House photographer from 1945 to 1985, had a career spanning the presidencies of Franklin D. Roosevelt through Ronald Reagan. Read more ...
UWG's Center for Diversity and Inclusion celebrates Black History Month on Wednesday, February 10, with a Gullah Geechee Gathering. The Smithsonian quality exhibit opens at 4:30 p.m. for viewing. A time of gathering, teaching, and remembering begins a 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom (108.2). This event is free and open to the public.
The public is invited to see the vanishing Gullah Geechee culture brought to life through an engaging and riveting performance of the Gullah Geechee culture, dialect, and traditions by Jim and Pat Bacote, founders and preservationists; the Darien Geechee Rain Shouters; Dr. Amir Jamal Toure, Geechee Kunda resident/living historian; and Greg Grant, Geechee herbalist and genealogist. Read more ...
UWG is pleased to announce the appointment of Russell Crutchfield as government and external relations, special assistant to the president.
As UWG’s chief liaison to local, state, and federal government officials, he is responsible for promoting and supporting university initiatives and programs and strengthening relationships with key policymakers while serving as an advocate for the university to advance the priorities of the president, the institution, and the University System of Georgia as a whole. Read more ...
On Thursday, January 14, the UWG Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosted the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King program themed, “Justice Rolling like Mighty Water.” The event was organized to celebrate MLK’s legacy and reiterate our duty to carry on his progress. The keynote speaker was Judge Steven L. Reed.
Born and raised in Montgomery, Judge Reed’s life has been greatly influenced by Dr. King. Judge Reed spoke to UWG about the importance of living out Dr. King’s legacy of leadership, equality, and community welfare.
Read more ...
The University of West Georgia’s Ingram Library and the Penelope Melson Society will host a reception honoring alumna Dr. Ramona Pierce Teal ‘66 ‘73 ‘84 on the completion of her West Georgia Presidential Portraits series, which she has generously donated to the university. The reception will be held on Sunday, February 7 at 3 p.m. in the library’s Thomas B. Murphy Reading Room. The West Georgia Presidential Portraits Collection will be placed on display in the Ingram Library.
Dr. Teal is a retired educator turned artist. She earned a B.S. in elementary education, a Master of Education, and an Ed.S. in reading and instruction from UWG. She then earned an Ed.D. in Education from the University of Georgia. Read more ...
The Annual International Night at the University of West Georgia has become a local event with more than 500 people in attendance, not only from campus but also the surrounding community.
This year’s 31st annual International Night, which will be held on Thursday, February 4, promises to be a fun filled extravaganza of multicultural cuisine and performances. The cuisine will vary from England to Australia, from Venezuela to Spain, and from Nigeria to Sri Lanka. Performances will include dancing, singing and instrumentalization. Read more ...
UWG's After 30 years of trying, UWG lecturer Dr. Madhavi Sethna was invited to be a contestant on America’s beloved game show, Wheel of Fortune. Dr. Sethna said that being on the show was “on my bucket list before I knew of the term bucket list.” Her dream will become a reality when the show airs on Friday, January 15.
There are many ways to apply to be a contestant, and Dr. Sethna has tried them all. From sending in post cards to tracking down the “Wheel Mobile,” she was finally recognized after applying online earlier this year. Read more ...
UWG students will have the opportunity to learn about their rights in regards to sexual abuse and misconduct on campus. The Responsible Sexuality Committee (RXCOM) will have a screening of the documentary The Hunting Ground on Monday, January 25 in the Bonner Lecture Hall at 7 p.m.
The screening is intended to raise awareness of potential sexual threats and inform students what UWG is doing to prevent these occurrences. The program is free and open to all students.
“The film has been described as an expose of rape culture on college and university campuses,” said Dr. Ryan Bronkema, chairman of RXCOM. “Campus sexual assaults are not just a miscommunication or ambiguous circumstances but should be understood as calculated, premeditated crimes.” Read more ...
For the second consecutive year, University of West Georgia President Dr. Kyle Marrero has been named one of the top 100 Most Influential Georgians in 2016 by Georgia Trend, a magazine of Georgia business, politics and economic development.
“It is an honor to be named one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians,” Dr. Marrero said. “I believe the University of West Georgia continues to be watched by fellow Georgians as we build collaborative educational and economic partnerships fostering student success, workforce development, innovative academic program delivery, and a commitment to impacting economic development in our region. The success of these core initiatives sets us apart and supports our vision to become the best comprehensive university in America.” Read more ...
UWG's seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Program will feature Montgomery County Probate Court Judge Steven L. Reed. The program, hosted by the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI), will be held in the Campus Center Ballroom on Thursday, January 14 at 7 p.m. This year’s theme is Justice Rolling Like Mighty Water.
“The Center for Diversity and Inclusion hopes to create an opportunity to better understand issues related to social inequality, provide a space for self-reflection, and establish a greater sense of community,” said Deirdre Rouse, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. “We are excited that our students will have an integral part in the MLK program and believe this annual program continues to pave the way for future opportunities for dialogue and positive growth.” Read more ...
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