News from the Chronicles - June 2014


Alums We Love

We love all of our alums and play no favorites here - and we especially love when our graduates and their exploits find their way into the media, as is the case today with great friend of the blog, Chris Bilheimer: For more than two decades Chris Bilheimer has designed album covers, concert posters, rock T-shirts and more as art director for R.E.M. and freelancer for other bands, notably Green Day, Widespread Panic and Neutral Milk Hotel. Now he…

transporting miscanthus
New genetics research: direct conversion of biomass

More potentially transformative new research from the department of genetics, this time in the realm of transportation fuels. For sometime now, biofuels have held great promise - and have been the focus of great controversy. But the economics of the conversion process of grasses to fuels may have finally seen its last barrier fall: Pre-treatment of the biomass feedstock—non-food crops such as switchgrass and miscanthus—is the step of…


UGA geneticist honored by journal Cell

A UGA geneticist received quite the honor this week. The journal Cell named Robert Schmitz, as researcher in the Franklin College’s department of genetics, as one of the most accomplished young scientists under the age of 40.  Those honored were selected for their contributions to shaping current and future trends in biology from a pool of international nominees to commemorate Cell’s 40th anniversary. Schmitz’s research focuses on plant…


Research Magazine Highlights Franklin Contributions

As a research institution, the University of Georgia is host to a bevy of researchers from all areas of academics--the arts, humanities and sciences.  Franklin College, a collection of 30 departments and an additional 30 institutes and centers, is the proud home of many of those research projects.  Each semester, the University’s research achievements and narratives are told via the campus publication Research Magazine.  The…


Women's Media Center Live to feature IWS Director

The UGA Institute for Women’s Studies director, Dr. Juanita Johnson-Bailey, will make a guest appearance this weekend on Women’s Media Center Live, a weekly talk radio hour on CBS radio hosted by political activist and author Robin Morgan.   Johnson-Bailey’s appearance will air June 7 at 11 a.m. You can listen here as it happens or any time after the air date.   Johnson-Bailey holds the Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching…


Welcoming a New Class: Orientation is Under Way

It’s a beautiful summer morning here at the University of Georgia.  Some students are on their way to summer classes, but some of the newest class of Bulldawgs is on campus for orientation.  Sessions are held all summer long, and this Monday marks the second group of students welcomed onto campus in the UGA tradition. The orientation experience provides a foundational memory, as students plan for the future, make friends and take in…


Franklin alumnus, former POW gives perspective on Bergdahl’s release

A Franklin College alumnus is at the forefront of national news this week, offering a unique perspective on the recent release of Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from captivity.  Col. Lee Ellis, a UGA history graduate (A.B. ‘65) and retired Air Force Colonel, was a POW during the Vietnam War for five-and-a-half years. In interviews with CBS News and CNN, Ellis recounts his own experience and offers his take on what challenges may lie ahead for…


New grant promotes physics, engineering

Great news from the Franklin College department of physics today.  A National Science Foundation grant will help promote and recruit students with an interest in either physics or engineering.  Through a program known as Developing Excellence in Engineering and Physics (DEEP), the grant will provide 20 scholarships to academically talented students with demonstrated financial need so they may pursue degrees in physics or a variety of…


REFOCUS program benefits students, scientists

More great news today for the future of STEM-related careers. Veteran scientists and engineers will share their love of science and math with the next generation through a program known as REFOCUS.  The program will train professionals to work with teachers in Clarke and six surrounding counties to provide regular science and math enrichment activities to students.  The program is meant to help students in K-12 understand math and…


UGA Alumna Receives Urann Fellowship

Congratulations are in order for a Franklin College alumna who received a prestigious fellowship this week.  Smitha Ganeshan, a May UGA graduate, was one of six students nationwide that received a $15,000 Marcus L. Urann Fellowship from the Phi Kappa Phi honor society.   Ganeshan was a Franklin College of Arts and Sciences student, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in anthropology.  She was also a UGA…

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