Tags: Human Nature

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Does studying abroad delay graduation?

Studying abroad in college can be a glamorous, once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunity. But is it also a distraction that slows students from completing degrees and moving on with careers? According to a new study from the University System of Georgia, not at all. The study compiled semester-by-semester records from 221,981 students across 35 U.S. institutions. Of those students, more than 30,000 had studied abroad. The analysis found…

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Promoting student mental health and well-being

Following on the need for everyone to get moving (at least a little), UGA Student Affairs is stepping up to expand efforts to strengthen the university’s mental health and well-being offerings. President Jere Morehead acknowledged the challenges faced by today's college students and asked Vice President for Student Affairs Victor K. Wilson to lead UGA’s efforts to foster a more supportive culture, dedicating $1 million in private funds over…

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Unraveling the mysteries of the brain

Georgia Magazine builds out a nice roundup of Parkinson’s research at UGA with implications ranging from the journey beloved former coach Mark Richt to the legacy of the late U.S. senator Johnny Isakson. Fundamental to the research and the breakthroughs that will follow is the Brain and Behavioral Sciences Program in the department of psychology: As chair of the Behavioral and Brain Sciences Doctoral Program in the Psychology Department, […

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Get moving! (Even just a little)

New research from the University of Georgia shows that physical activity could help protect your cognitive abilities as you age. And it doesn’t have to be intense exercise to make an impact. “This finding isn’t saying, ‘If you’re older, you need to go out there and start running marathons,’” said Marissa Gogniat, lead author of the study and a recent doctoral graduate in psychology from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. “This is…

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Two to tango: Franklin colleagues team up for Dancing with the Stars

Two Franklin College employees are competing in Dancing with the Athens Stars to benefit one of Athens' most venerable social service organizations. Fuad Elhage, a Lecturer of Spanish and French Languages, and Stephanie Lynn, a Senior IT Manager on the Franklin College Web Services team, will compete as Team 10 in the benefit for Project Safe. Tickets are on sale for the 2022 event, which will be held March 19, 2022 at 7:30 pm in the…

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UGA celebrates Women’s History Month

In recognition of the 2022 national Women’s History Month theme “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” the Institute for Women’s Studies will be hosting numerous virtual programs in March. This year’s virtual keynote address will be presented by Stephanie Y. Evans, professor of Black women’s studies; former director of the Institute for Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; and affiliate faculty in the Department of Africana Studies…

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Kudos, February 2022

Students lead our roundup of Franklin College awards, accolades, and achievements announced during February – though not to be outdone by our outstanding alumni!  Congratulations all: Shannon Rodriguez, Ph.D candidate in linguistics, studies a dialect of English spoken by Latinos born in Georgia, a particular blend of Southern drawl. She recently presented her dissertation on the topic “Latino English in Georgia: a sociophonetic…

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Noted and Quoted, February 2022

A month with heavy traffic in current events means Franklin faculty were broadly visible in media around the world. Expert insights plus new research findings lead our news highlight for February – a sample: With $900K Falcons grant, Georgia Organics revamps food insecurity fight – associate professor of geography Jerry Shannon quoted by the AJC Quantum computing 2.0: How a UGA physicist builds on a century of knowledge to…

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LSAMP strengthens opportunities for students, faculty

In partnership with Georgia Research Alliance, more students across the state are able to pursue scientific research through the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. An integral part of our recent story of how Black science majors succeed at UGA, resources that help students and faculty propel the university forward. Support networks for current students help the attract the next class of great students and create new…

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Learning in the lab can continue at a distance

As most of the world came to a halt at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers were trying to find a way to engage students through research at a distance. University of Georgia professor of biochemistry and molecular biology Erin Dolan and her research team carried out a study to appraise the remote programs that grew from this challenge. The study evaluated 23 programs at colleges, universities, and research institutions…

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Sorority alumnae establish endowed scholarship

Gifts from over 100 Alpha Kappa Alpha alumnae created a $100,000 scholarship fund More than 100 alumnae of the University of Georgia’s Eta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. gave a total of over $50,000 to establish the 1973 Eta Xi Alumni Association Inc. Georgia Commitment Scholarship, which will provide need-based aid to UGA students in perpetuity: Near the beginning of 2021, Eta Xi alumnae set out to raise $50,000 by the end…

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Claire Bunn named Gates Cambridge Scholar

University of Georgia senior Claire Bunn of Marion, Arkansas, will continue her studies in lung biology this fall as one of 23 Americans selected for the 2022 class of Gates Cambridge Scholars. The scholarship fully funds postgraduate study and research in any subject at the University of Cambridge in England. Bunn is UGA’s ninth Gates Cambridge Scholar in the program’s 21-year history. The scholarship, which recognizes intellectually…

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Palmer earns prestigious NEH Fellowship

Jennifer Palmer, associate professor of history, has been awarded a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities for 2022. The award was announced in January and will provide course release for a full academic year. Seventy-three fellowships were awarded by the NEH this year, among 208 grants worth $24.7 million for humanities scholarship and programming across the country: Palmer will use the fellowship for…

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Studying the impact of language on identity

Shannon Rodriguez studies a dialect of English spoken by Latinos born in Georgia, a particular blend of Southern drawl, clipped Latino vowels and a more general mainstream American accent. Speakers pull features from each to emphasize different parts of their identity. In January, she presented her dissertation on the topic “Latino English in Georgia:  a sociophonetic analysis of ethnicity and identity” to the board of regents. The…

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How Black science majors succeed

University of Georgia life science and education researchers investigated the stories behind one of the most successful groups of science majors on campus: Black undergraduate students. Despite an array of additional challenges beyond their coursework, Black science majors are able to complete their science degree programs. Black students persist at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic subgroup on campus for many of the science majors…

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Kudos, January 2022

Wonderful awards and accolades across the Franklin College to begin 2022, though there can only be one headline to our January kudos: 41 years! Georgia Bulldogs win rematch vs. Alabama Crimson Tide for first college national championship since 1980 season – ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CNN, ABC News, U.S. News & World Report, UGA Today, GeorgiaDogs.com, ABH, Atlanta Business Chronicle Marshall…

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Noted and Quoted, January 2022

A variety of articles and columns, quoting or authored by Franklin Faculty members at the turn of the new year. A recent sample of insights and expertise: Photos, other mementos discovered hundreds of miles away after tornadoes – John Knox, professor of geography, quoted by KMOX in St. Louis, via Audacy Gerald Ford vowed to whip inflation; it whipped him instead – column written by Stephen Mihm, associate professor of history,…

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Xu elected a 2022 IEEE Fellow

Ying Xu, professor of biochemistry in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The IEEE publishes approximately one-third of the world’s literature in computer science and the electrical and electronic engineering fields. It also co-sponsors more than 1,900 international conferences annually. As the largest professional organization for the advancement of technology…

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Parents Leadership Council fall 2021 undergraduate writing retreat

On Nov. 14, undergraduate students from across campus gathered in the Miller Learning Center’s Reading Room for an afternoon devoted to writing—and write they did. Supported by a Parents Leadership Council grant and hosted by UGA English faculty and writing program administrators Lindsey Harding, Sara Steger, Becky Hallman Martini and Elizabeth Davis, 49 students from across campus registered for this year’s Undergraduate Writing Retreat.…

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Third round of Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grants awarded

How can nanotechnology and big data be used to improve diagnosis of infectious viruses like SARS-CoV-2? That’s one of the questions that will be explored through funding provided by a third round of Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grants. Eleven grants totaling $1.5 million were awarded in November 2021 to recipients of the third round of Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grants. Overall the awards went to faculty from 13 UGA departments,…

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2022 Grants and Fellowships Mentorship and Support program

The Willson Center announced the first cohort of faculty members in the humanities and arts for the Grants and Fellowships Mentorship and Support program. Offered in partnership with the Franklin College, the Office of Research, and the Office of the Provost, faculty who are admitted to the program receive $1,000 into their research support accounts. The program is designed to Create a supportive environment for critique and…

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Noel Fallows, 1961-2021

University of Georgia Associate Provost for Global Engagement Noel Fallows passed away December 29, 2021 after a protracted illness.  Noel Fallows contributed in myriad ways to the University of Georgia’s growing international profile and influence, while also participating in some of the most consequential scholarly conversations and debates within his primary academic field of medieval studies. In 1984, he arrived to the university’s…

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Numero Uno, Dawgs roll the Tide

Kelee Ringo intercepted a pass and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown with 54 seconds remaining to put the finishing touches on a stellar defensive effort that helped lift No. 3 Georgia to a 33-18 win over No. 1 Alabama in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. For the Bulldogs, the national championship is the program’s first since the undefeated 1980 season. This Georgia squad went…

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Saunt named Regents’ Professor

Claudio Saunt, Distinguished Research Professor and Richard B. Russell Professor of American History in the Franklin College, is one of two University of Georgia professors  named Regents’ Professors, an honor bestowed by the board of regents on distinguished faculty whose scholarship or creative activity is recognized as innovative and pace-setting. Saunt joins John Drake, Distinguished Research Professor in the Odum School of Ecology…

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Welcome, 2022

Happy New Year from the Franklin College, and thank you to our many wonderful students, alumni, and friends for your ongoing support for the arts and sciences at UGA. The university's largest and oldest college remains its most dynamic and we are ready to welcome all of our students and colleagues back to campus this week, including the many transfer students just beginning their UGA experience. Welcome! What a time to be a Dawg! Congratulations…
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