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for University of West Georgia faculty and staff, is the official
source for UWG news and information for all members of the campus community.

News

In Focus

Turkish UWG alumni met with President Beheruz N. Sethna, Dr. Andy Leavitt, Sylvia Shortt and Dr. Bill Schaniel at a reunion in Turkey. The group established a fledgling Turkish Alumni Association during the reunion and began recruiting some Turkish students to attend West Georgia. Shown is the Aegean Sea and one of the many ports around the shoreline. (Photo submitted by Sylvia Shortt, assistant director of international services and programs.)

President Beheruz N. Sethna, Dr. Andy Leavitt, Dr. Bill Schaniel and Sylvia Shortt traveled to Istanbul in the fall to establish an alumni association there. The Bosporus River and the gates to the Dolmabahce Palace are one of many sites they enjoyed. Photo submitted by Sylvia Shortt, assistant director of International Services and Programs. [Photo submitted by Sylvia Shortt, assistant director of international services and programs. (In Focus features a photograph submitted by a UWG faculty or staff member. E-mail your photo and caption information to the Campus Chronicle photographer.)]

Dickey Signs New Recruits

Few states, if any, can match the quality of high school football in Georgia. With that in mind, new football coach Daryl Dickey put his focus on home state talent for his first University of West Georgia Wolves signing class. MORE

Two New Graduate Degrees Approved

The University of West Georgia received the Board of Regents approval for two new graduate degree programs. The BOR approved a new Master of Science in Mathematics with Options in Teaching and Applied Mathematics and the establishment of an External Specialist in Education degree with a major in media offered through multiple technologies. MORE

MLK Lecture Series Features Dyson

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series is coming to UWG with guest speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson on Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m. in the Campus Center Ballroom. MORE

Construction Update on Campus

Spring is in the air but more importantly on the UWG campus, the sound of construction is in the air! The Health and Wellness Center is taking shape as the trusses for the arena went in last week. According to Elsa Pena, campus architect, the building has been put on a fast track in order for occupancy to begin in January 2009. MORE

Campus Raises Funds for Friend

Faculty, staff and students are joining together to help raise funds for an Advanced Academy student who recently was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. Last week, Academy students voted unanimously to donate all of the proceeds from their annual fundraiser, St. Paddy’s Day Café, to the family’s medical expenses and an account has been opened at the Gilmer County Bank for donations. MORE

May Commencement Ceremony Set

West Georgia will conduct four spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 10. The Registrar’s Office estimates that 575 undergraduates and 110 graduate students will walk down the aisle to receive a diploma. MORE

Bulletins

•Get those jeans and sneakers ready because there are two remaining Dress Down Days to benefit the Carroll County American Cancer Relay For Life, Thursday, March 27, and April 17th. For one dollar, dressed down participants can receive a sticker. For $5.00 faculty and staff can receive a “Relay For Life” pin. Donations can be sent to team members Carolyn Berry, secretary to the dean for the College of Education; Jill Wright Davidson, inventory management specialist for Budget Services and Asset Management; Greta Kirby, assistant postal supervisor for Campus Mail; and Vicki Rogers, systems support specialist II for the Arts and Sciences Deans Office. Their goal this year is to raise $8,000 and no donation is too small.

•Giving to West Georgia is getting easier with online giving. The Office of Development and Alumni Relations offers a quick and simple option for potential donors by providing an online form to customize a gift or pledge. The transactions are secure, confidential and, of course, greatly appreciated. For any questions regarding your gift or the online form, please call the UWG Foundation at 678-839-6582.

•Faculty and staff with children or grandchildren may want to take advantage of the financial aid volunteers who will be on hand to help students complete their Free Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The event will be held on Monday, March 24, from 5 – 7:30 p.m. in the TLC, Room 1116. The FAFSA Night free workshop is designed for high school seniors, UWG students and any citizen with a social security card. A PIN is necessary to sign the FAFSA electronically and it is recommended that applicants register for it as soon as possible. For a list of what to bring, go to the Financial Aid information page. For more information on FAFSA, visit their website or call 678-839-6421.

•UWG’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction has announced a Call for Papers in preparation to sponsor its second learning festival for P-12 educators. Anticipated speakers include Andrea Peterson, national teacher of the year 2007; Emily Jennette, Georgia teacher of the year 2008; Dr. Samantha Briggs, director of education for the Southern Poverty Law Center; Dr. Wayne M. Linek, a literacy expert; UWG’s Dr. Tobin Hart, professor and interim chair of psychology; and Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna.

* Bulletins features such UWG news as announcements of meetings, policy changes, campaigns, competitions, office moves, and deadlines for grant applications, budget requests and award nominations. E-mail your news for publication consideration to the Campus Chronicle editor.