Tags: Alumni

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Greg Lavender Returns to UGA

Greg Lavender, B.S. Computer Science ‘83, returned to the University of Georgia for the first time in nearly three decades. The last time he was on campus the 90’s were in full swing with the internet still in infancy and flip phones as the height of technology. Now, many years later, Lavender is the Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Intel and AI is abundantly present in his day-to-day activities.  As CTO, Lavender is…

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School of Computing student interview with Intel CTO Greg Lavender

While on campus in November, UGA School of Computing students had the opportunity to network with distinguished alumnus Greg Lavender (B.S. Computer Science ‘83). Lavender’s Dr. Jeffrey W. Smith Undergraduate Scholarship recipient Hannah Le conducted a one-on-one interview with Lavender. Q: What’s your favorite memory from your time at the University of Georgia?A: Oh, that’s a good question! I actually never went to a single football game while…

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Four Franklin College Alums Awarded 2024 Graduate School Alumni of Distinction

In 2013, the UGA Graduate School’s Graduate Education Advancement Board (GEAB) established the Alumni of Distinction award to honor graduates who have achieved exceptional success in their professional careers and in service to their communities. More specifically, the Alumni of Distinction award recognizes achievements that exemplify UGA’s mission “to teach, to serve, and to inquire into the nature of things” at local, regional, and global…

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Alumnus named UTK Chancellor’s Professor

Derek Alderman, Franklin College alumnus and Board of Advisors member, earned his MA (`93) and PhD (`98) in Geography and was recently named Chancellor’s Professor at the University of Tennessee (UT), Knoxville. This distinction honors the highest standards of academic excellence at UT and is awarded based on outstanding scholarly achievement and contributions to their fields. Alderman, a professor of human geography in the Department of…

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Kudos, October 2024

Faculty, students and alumni of the Franklin College shine all year long and October is no exception. A sample of the featured good work and achievements during the eighth month of the calendar of Romulus: UGA celebrates 40 years of AI  at Oct. 28 conference Alchemy, co-founded by Raj Shingadia (AB ’01, Philosophy, BS ’03, Psychology), designs and installs breathtaking water worlds through Southeast Aquariums & MRC and set design for…

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Writer and producer alumnus visits campus, theatre students

UGA alumnus Steve Yockey (A.B. Theatre, '01) visited the department of theatre and film studies Oct. 4, sitting for three Q+A sessions with students interested in pursuing careers both on stage and behind the camera. In addition to the Q+A sessions, Yockey attended Dr. John Bray’s Dramatic Writing class for a more focused discussion on his career as a playwright, who has seen much of his theatrical work produced throughout the US, Europe, and…

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2024 Franklin College Homecoming Tailgate

The Franklin College hosted alumni, staff, students and friends at the 2024 Homecoming Tailgate on Brooks Hall on Oct. 5. With catering by Flying Biscuit, corn hole, and conversation, everyone enjoyed a beautiful afternoon in the run-up to the Auburn game. Photos by Audrey Bradstock/Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.  

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Kudos, Summer 2024

The awards, scholarships, and achievements by Franklin College students, alumni, faculty, and staff don't stop for summer. Congratulations to the members of our community whose individual honors bring great distinction to the college and the University of Georgia. A glimpse of the excellence that shined through the summer months: Jordyn Faucette, a senior philosophy, English, and political science major, was one of 19 students across the nation…

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Inaugural Athens Film Festival features MFA Film students, faculty

Several UGA faculty, alumni, and MFA Film students will screen films and lead discussions during the inaugural Athens Film Festival which takes place at downtown venues in Athens Aug. 15-17.  As the local film industry grows, the UGA MFA in Film, Television, and Digital Media is right in the thick of making this creative engine go: For Alex Thomas (MFA ‘23), coming back to Athens to premiere his MFA thesis film, “The School Mistress,” is a…

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Service builds a vision for driving change

UGA Trustee Becky Winkler believes everyone has a narrative. You just need to keep it pointed in the right direction. "My dad was a Jamaican immigrant and he taught me the secret to the meaning of life is it's all made up," Winkler said. "Raised by an immigrant, I was taught to question things that other people consider normal." The cogent advice has led Winkler (AB '98) to chart her own circuitous path that, in retrospect, appears rather direct…

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Alumni feature: Steve Fleming

After completing both his Master’s Degree (’95) and PhD (’04) in geography(focusing on geospatial techniques) in the department of geography, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences alumnus and retired U.S Army colonel, Steve Fleming did not have initial intentions to pursue a career in higher education. However, his experiences in the military, combined with the knowledge acquired from his degrees, led him to a career path focused on educating…

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Spring commencement 2024

Today's THE day! 6,627 undergraduates have met requirements to participate in the university’s spring Commencement ceremonies tonight. This wonderful achievement by these soon-to-be UGA alumni marks an important moment on their journeys and the Franklin College takes great pride in celebrating each and every member of the Class of 2024. Welcome parents, friends, family, and loved ones to celebrate your graduate and all UGA graduates. Your love…

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Kudos, April 2024

From competitions and professional society inductions to the most prestigious fellowships and scholarships, our colleagues – and students – continued to shine brightly, lighting up Honors season at UGA and beyond. A roundup of just a few of the many awards and accolades: Bob Schmitz, UGA Foundation Professorship in Plant Sciences and Lars G. Ljungdahl Distinguished Investigator in the department of genetics, was honored with the 2024 Charles…

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Noted and Quoted, April 2024

Franklin faculty expertise and research findings – from a new COVID test to the rise of hybrid species and the dangers of bounce houses – appeared in a variety of media around the world during April. A sample of the breath of subject matter and the reach of public scholarship, plus coverage of a theatre alumnus: Black-owned autonomous grocer goes where other stores aren’t – Jerry Shannon, associate professor of geography, quoted by…

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Native American Studies scholarship

INAS is accepting applications for the Ruth Pack scholarships through May 31. Preference is given to Native American students, applications are limited to INAS certificate students, Native American students and students working in Native American fields.  Courtesy of a generous gift to recruit and support Native American students at the university from UGA alumnus Chris Goeckel (BBA’84), the Institute of Native American Studies (INAS) will…

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Kudos, March 2024

Excellence in Teaching Awards, Meigs Professorships and our newest Regents' Entrepreneur lead the March kudos. Congratulations to our colleagues, alumni and students on these outstanding accomplishments:   The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved Valentine Nzengung as Regents’ Entrepreneur. Nzengung, professor of environmental geochemistry in the department of geology and founder of MuniRem Environmental, LLC, is the third…

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New musical showcases work by arts scholar, alumni group support

This week, UGA Theatre presents “First Semester: A Musical,” an original work written by undergraduate and Cora Nunnally Miller Arts Scholar Wyn Alyse Thomas, directed by Thomas and Sydney Rainwater and supported by the New Georgia Group fund. “First Semester: A Musical” represents a new addition to UGA Theatre’s seasonal offerings—a slot dedicated to original student-written, student-produced work supported by the New Georgia Group fund. The…

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Franklin College alumna to deliver 2024 commencement address

Four-time Olympian and 10-time Olympic medalist in swimming Allison Schmitt will deliver the spring undergraduate Commencement address at the University of Georgia on Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Sanford Stadium. Schmitt, who received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UGA in 2014, was elected captain by her teammates at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games. She is still the current American record holder in the 200 meter freestyle, which…

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Music Therapy Alumna honored by St. Jude Children's Hospital

The Hodgson School of Music shares great news from an important corner of the music world – the clinical practice of using music to aid in healing. The current issue of Sforzando reports: Elizabeth Lee Digiovanni, Hugh Hodgson School of Music alumna, received the Friend of Nursing Award from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Friday, November 3, 2023. This award is described by St. Jude as going to someone who demonstrates excellence in…

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kudos, February 2024

The parade of excellence also known as the Franklin College faculty was on full display during the month of February. National awards of professional distinction and achievement bring honor and pride to the University of Georgia and congratulations from friends, colleagues, students, and alumni. A round up the of the recent announcements: Michelle Momany, professor in the department of plant biology and the Fungal Biology Group, is one of 65 new…

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kudos, January 2024

Prestigious awards, scholarships, fellowships, innovative courses, conference presentations and a Broadway star headline our congratulations to alumni, faculty and students over the previous month. What fantastic company you keep in the Franklin College: Alumnus Peter Schreiner (M.S, chem '91, Ph.D '95) wins 2024 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, one of Germany's most prestigious research awards The Modern Language Association of America…

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Alumni shine Off-Broadway in 'Brighter than the Sun'

An autobiographical musical that delves into the poignant relationship between a young man and his grandmother, both hailing from South Georgia, "Brighter Than the Sun" is written by alumnus Collin Hendley and features an array of UGA Theatre & Film Studies alumni. The limited run production opened January 9 Off-broadway at New York's Chain Theatre and runs until January 21: In 2022, Theatre undergraduate Collin Hendley was named the…

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Alumnus wins 2024 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize

Peter Schreiner has received one of Germany's most prestigious research awards. University of Georgia alumnus Peter Schreiner has received one of Germany’s most prestigious research awards. The Joint Committee of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) announced the recipients of the 2024 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize, which was awarded to 10 researchers – three women and seven men. The winners will each…

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Alumni Profile – Rachael McCampbell

Rachael McCampbell has found true freedom following her dreams.   The Franklin, Tennessee-based artist has always loved to paint, but never expected to make a career out of it.   “My parents' thinking was Depression-era oriented, very practical. They wanted me to have a job that was marketable and encouraged me to study graphic design, which I did,” said McCampbell. “The only part that really excited me was the illustration side…

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Alumni Profile – Casey Nelson

Casey Nelson has been a Georgia Bulldog since birth.   Growing up a self-professed die-hard UGA fan, he attended home football games every weekend and has fond childhood memories of tailgating and running through North Campus throwing a frisbee. When the time came for college, it was a dream come true for him to accept a track and field scholarship at the school he’d always loved.   Fittingly, it was in Athens that another…
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